Living in Central Pennsylvania, but being from Seattle has its benefits. You always have an ice breaker at a party. You'll always have something interesting about yourself to talk about, something unexpected. Because, not a lot of people willingly move to this area. But, that's besides the point.
So, when I do let people know where I'm from, I'll usually get the following: "Why did you move HERE?", "Did you move here for a man?", and eventually, "Doesn't it ALWAYS rain there?"
Yes, I did move here for a man, and that's working out swell. And, no, it doesn't rain there all the time! Did you know there's more annual rain fall in Philly, DC, New York, Boston, and Miami? Miami!!! It does rain, thank God, because its so green. If you're not from the Pacific Northwest, then you pretty much sum that area up as rainy. So not the case.
However, recently there's a new subject that people are fixated on when you mention Seattle. Sigh. I didn't want to talk about it, especially now because everyone is. But, I guess now is better a time than any: Twilight. Yes, that book series and now movie series. My new hairdresser here asked me one time (after hearing I was from Seattle, and after I told her about the lack of rain) if Seattle's tourism has gone up since the books. I didn't even know at the time where the story took place.
Which leads me to the main point of this post. Seattle is a gem. Seattle is a hidden treasure. Seattle is not just rain, coffee, apples, and salmon, and now some teeny bopper books. Unfortunately, a lot of people have it in their heads of what Seattle is. Yes, we have Starbucks coffee, but did you know that Seattle's Best coffee is actually better? Pike Place Market is on everyone's list to see, but don't just go to watch the flying fish! They won't throw the fish if you don't buy anything!! Try the cinnamon-sugar mini doughnuts right around the corner from the flying fish. Travel across the cobblestone lane and you'll find another portion of the market, unattached, that has beautiful breads, multi-cultural cuisine, and produce. Pick up the Chukar Cherries near the skybridge entrance. Hell, go outside and find Mt. Rainier!
This area should not be defined by Forks, WA, an abandoned logging town. It should be defined by the Hoh rainforest (right next to Forks, WA). People should read about our mountains and our waterfronts. They should travel for our cuisine, for our wild mussels and blackberries. We should talk about the history of this place, about our lifestyles, and about our connection to this land.
That vampire story has been told before. There have been better movies and better television shows devoted to its metaphors and passion-filled tales. For goodness sake, please don't come to Washington because you want to take the Twilight tour. Especially since its being filmed in Canada now.
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