Today, it's been a month since I moved to Seattle for my internship in the music industry. The city is how I left it the last time I came in April: friendly, green/clean and relaxed.
Seattle was my first choice for this gap year. Not only I wanted a city closely related to music - and it is obvious Seatlle is, no need to say it - but I also wanted a big city where my life would be really different from the one I live/leave in Paris. Seattle, known for its music scene and its West-coast spirit seemed perfect to me and now that I've spent a month here, I cannot say that I've been deceived.
The adaptation here was easier than I thought it would be, even if some details kept my attention. As my buddy M mentioned yesterday, life is way slower but it's just something you have to get used to. On the contrary to M, this is the first time I've been living for a long time in the US and getting used to a slower life was not the only thing I had to learn. I also had to cope with the fact that people HERE are friendly. I'm not saying friendl-ier but friendly, which for a parisian - as you may know - is a big deal!
On the musical side, I have been able to attend many good shows thanks to some amazing people I met here. Among those, the most impressive was with no doubt Willie Nelson at the Puyallup Fair, on September 16th. Not only it was my first time in an (American) fair - with its Hypno-Chicks, giant pumpkins, elefant ears and roller coasters, but also the show itself was a-ma-zing.
Seattle was my first choice for this gap year. Not only I wanted a city closely related to music - and it is obvious Seatlle is, no need to say it - but I also wanted a big city where my life would be really different from the one I live/leave in Paris. Seattle, known for its music scene and its West-coast spirit seemed perfect to me and now that I've spent a month here, I cannot say that I've been deceived.
The adaptation here was easier than I thought it would be, even if some details kept my attention. As my buddy M mentioned yesterday, life is way slower but it's just something you have to get used to. On the contrary to M, this is the first time I've been living for a long time in the US and getting used to a slower life was not the only thing I had to learn. I also had to cope with the fact that people HERE are friendly. I'm not saying friendl-ier but friendly, which for a parisian - as you may know - is a big deal!
On the musical side, I have been able to attend many good shows thanks to some amazing people I met here. Among those, the most impressive was with no doubt Willie Nelson at the Puyallup Fair, on September 16th. Not only it was my first time in an (American) fair - with its Hypno-Chicks, giant pumpkins, elefant ears and roller coasters, but also the show itself was a-ma-zing.
Born in the early 30s, Mr Nelson, who recently had his braids cut out but who still wears his bandana, is way more of a performer than many young and hip musicians. His voice was powerful and deep, his guitar playing was energetic and the songs he played had the public clap and sing along for almost two hours. Being able to convey such strong emotions, Willie Nelson appeared to me as the American folk singer par excellence.
As days go by, I feel that I'm becoming a real Seattlite. As a matter of fact, today I was told how to pronounce "Puyallup" as a real Pacific-Northwesterner!
This may be not enough though...
However, I can also give directions - knowing that Broadway and Madison are tricky streets, I am able to order at any coffee shop without even looking at the menu board, and I always go out with both an umbrella(1) AND my sunglasses in my purse...
Are you convinced now?
However, I can also give directions - knowing that Broadway and Madison are tricky streets, I am able to order at any coffee shop without even looking at the menu board, and I always go out with both an umbrella(1) AND my sunglasses in my purse...
Are you convinced now?
(1) To ALL the people around the world who warned me and M about the awful weather in Seattle ("the city where it rains 24/7"), just know that it hasn't been raining over the past ten days... Oh yeah.
AC.
AC.
