I was Able to Sleep Well in Seattle

The film "Sleepless in Seattle" is a misconception to me. Yes, I was able to sleep well in the city. What with that rainy weather which is conducive for resting and sleeping. But, of course, the film is not all about sleeping as we know.

Seattle is a city located at the northwestern-most side of the US state of Washington. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It is where some big companies started their businesses. It is the trade gateway of the country to Asia.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is very important in the trade and tourism of the United States. Major Asian airlines fly to the city and Alaska Airlines has Seattle as one of its major hubs.

Until 2001, Boeing had its headquarters in Seattle. Though it has transferred it main office to Chicago, Boeing still maintains its Seattle factory in the manufacture of several narrow-bodied as well as wide-bodied airplanes. It has its own runway exclusively for Boeing.

Amazon.com and Washington Mutual have their main offices in Seattle making it a software and financial center in the northwestern region of the country. Their modern edifices are striking enough not to be noticed in the city business district.

Naturally, Seattle's Best Coffee is based in the city. Starbucks is also headquartered in Seattle where it has a huge building and is the company's support center. Almost in every corner of Seattle, there are Seattle's Best Coffee or Starbucks side by side or just opposite each other. Then, there is this drive through coffee store called Espresso for people on the go.

Moving around the city is easy. With the many roads in Seattle and the abundance of buses from the residential areas to the city center, commuting is pleasurable. They also have an efficient train system to several points of the city. Then, they also have water taxis since Seattle has many waterways and going around by land transport will take you longer to travel.

The public market is one place where you can find the fresh catch of the day. Many people go there to experience what Seattle can offer in terms of seafood. For amusement, there is the Seattle Great Wheel where you can see an overview of the city.

Despite the modernity of the times, Seattle has a lot of nature for everyone to enjoy. It is called the "log state" for the many timber surrounding the city. Centuries-old trees can be found in in-city forests. Water also abound since Seattle has lots of waterways and the sea.

Restaurants, mostly seafood, can be found in almost nook and cranny of the city. What Seattle residents enjoy most are the ones found in the suburbs for they serve freshly-cooked food straight from the sea. And they are abounty.

Modern infrastructures such as the Seattle Central Library and the Seattle Center prove that the city is a conducive place for learning and for the arts. The city government gives emphasis and support to places such as the two.

Despite Seattle's seeming modernity, it has maintained it own charm and has remained to be one of the most livable cities in America. Its residential district has the peace and quiet that one can experience only in Seattle.

Special THANK YOU to Jun Vicencio and Jun Pilapil for letting me stay in their Renton house for 7 days. They even toured me around Western Washington and went as far down as Portland, Oregon. Also, another special THANK YOU to Ernie Rios for letting me stay in his house in Seattle. Despite his busy schedule, he was able to take care of me for 3 days. Thank you also to Ms. Zarina Roque for always being there. Given another chance, I will sleep again in Seattle.

Credits to the owners of some of the photos.