A recent visit to Seattle reminded me of my arrival at the city decades ago. I hope the city gives more recent arrivals all the wonderful things it brought me.
Dear Michael: I enjoyed you commentary of your time as a young man in Seattle. I moved to L.A. when I was 20 in order to attend college. It took me about 6 months to get used to living in such a large city after living in a suburb of San Diego for 18 years. However, the City of Angels finally worked its magic and I really began to like living there. I remember one day as I was getting off a freeway (such a rare occasion in L.A.!), I got the distinct feeling that, if you wanted to be a success in life, L.A. was the place to do it. I left L.A. nearly 40 years ago to chase the "American Dream" because L.A.'s version of the dream I thought I wanted was too expensive. What I've come to understand now is that the "American "Dream" means different things for different people. If I had to do it all over again, I would've stayed in L.A. Now that I'm back in California, I have many opportunities to visit family and friends in L.A. which I now consider my home and I view through the lenses of both nostalgia and excitement.
Glad you finally found the life you wanted in LA. We were there back in 1999 but only stayed about fourteen months, as it just wasn't for us. And you're absolutely right about the American dream being different for everyone. And our dream is the European dream!
Ha ha! No, I’ve probably visited 12 - 15 times over the years. Seattle was often the best departure/arrival for me when I lived in Europe and visited family in BC. I’ll admit that my visits were usually less than 24 hours long, but the sun was always shining.
Seattle is also special because that’s where 18-year-old me said goodbye to my family and embarked upon what became my four-decade-long gap year.
First visited Seattle in the early 70s and moved there in 1980 for 5 years (West Seattle, White Center, Greenlake) before settling on the Olympic Peninsula in 1985 and still love it out here!
I'll keep saying it again and again, what stunning photography. That alone is well worth the subscription price. I feel like I'm slowing getting to know both of you through your newsletters. I've been in Seattle once, for 4 days. I enjoyed my time there, I wish I would have known more about it ahead of time to do other things than just the "tourist" things. I'd love to go back again once I retire.
Dear Michael: I enjoyed you commentary of your time as a young man in Seattle. I moved to L.A. when I was 20 in order to attend college. It took me about 6 months to get used to living in such a large city after living in a suburb of San Diego for 18 years. However, the City of Angels finally worked its magic and I really began to like living there. I remember one day as I was getting off a freeway (such a rare occasion in L.A.!), I got the distinct feeling that, if you wanted to be a success in life, L.A. was the place to do it. I left L.A. nearly 40 years ago to chase the "American Dream" because L.A.'s version of the dream I thought I wanted was too expensive. What I've come to understand now is that the "American "Dream" means different things for different people. If I had to do it all over again, I would've stayed in L.A. Now that I'm back in California, I have many opportunities to visit family and friends in L.A. which I now consider my home and I view through the lenses of both nostalgia and excitement.
Glad you finally found the life you wanted in LA. We were there back in 1999 but only stayed about fourteen months, as it just wasn't for us. And you're absolutely right about the American dream being different for everyone. And our dream is the European dream!
Wonderful story about a beautiful city. I’m one of the fortunate few who has only ever see the sunny version of Seattle on every visit!
Also congratulations on your recent 30th anniversary! Many happy returns!
Every visit, huh? So you've been once? 😆😆😆😆
Also, thanks!
Ha ha! No, I’ve probably visited 12 - 15 times over the years. Seattle was often the best departure/arrival for me when I lived in Europe and visited family in BC. I’ll admit that my visits were usually less than 24 hours long, but the sun was always shining.
Seattle is also special because that’s where 18-year-old me said goodbye to my family and embarked upon what became my four-decade-long gap year.
First visited Seattle in the early 70s and moved there in 1980 for 5 years (West Seattle, White Center, Greenlake) before settling on the Olympic Peninsula in 1985 and still love it out here!
A fellow immigrant!
I'll keep saying it again and again, what stunning photography. That alone is well worth the subscription price. I feel like I'm slowing getting to know both of you through your newsletters. I've been in Seattle once, for 4 days. I enjoyed my time there, I wish I would have known more about it ahead of time to do other things than just the "tourist" things. I'd love to go back again once I retire.
Thanks so much, Gayla! Very much appreciated. Sorry for the slowv response. Very little Internet the past four days!