Thursday, July 21, 2016

Sleepless in Seattle?

Ever find yourself sleepless in Seattle? Fortunately for me, I didn't. But in case you do, here are some of the wonderful places you should see whenever you find yourself in the Emerald City.


If you need a doze of caffeine, don't fret, you'll find the first ever Starbucks coffee in Pike Place Market. No wonder Seattle is called the coffee capital. This is where all the coffee shops started. Just one reminder, you need to bring with you a lot of patience as the line is really long, even in the early hours of the morning.



first ever Starbucks at Pike Place Market, Seattle by gurlayas.blgospot.com




On the same block, you will find assorted shops. We tried the Russian pastry with mouth-watering treats for breakfast. Piroshky, Piroshky... Of course, I ordered something with cinnamon - poppy seed raisin cinnamon. Yummy!



shops on the same block with Starbucks at Pike Place Market Seattle by gurlayas.blogpspot.com




pastries at Pike Place Market Seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




pastry at Piroshky Pike Place Market Seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




If you don't want pastry for breakfast, you can try any of the fresh produce on the various stalls. You can choose from cherries, to apples, to berries, to nuts. Take your pick. Whatever your taste buds crave, you can find it here. It's truly a feast for the senses.



fresh produce at pike place market seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com



They have fresh flowers and various greens too. Your eyes will have a grand feast of colors, smells and the feelings these sensations will cause.



fresh flowers at pike place market seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com



If you are nuts, I mean if you love nuts like pistachios, they have a few stalls that sell all kinds of nuts. You will surely go nuts deciding which to buy.



nuts at pike place market seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com


If you want meat, fish, seafood, its here. 



seafood galore at pike place market seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




In fact, one of the famous fish stalls here in Pike Place, or in the whole US, famous for its systematic way of cleaning, chopping and preparing fish ordered by customers. It's called the Flying fish. This stall is featured in Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as an example to emulate.


flying fish stall at pike place market seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




If you fancy art, trinkets, accessories, cards, etc. You can find it here, too. We found a Filipino store selling accessories that are made from the Philippines. Yes, we got discounts.



Filipino trinkets shop at pike place market seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




After getting dizzy with the sights and scents in Pike Place Market, we started our way to the waterfront. On the way there, we passed through Post Alley where the famous Gum Wall is. Yes, the Market Theater brick wall with thousands of chewed bubble gums! Yikes!



me making a face at the gum wall seattle | gurlayas.blogspot.com


more chewed gums at gum wall seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com



chewed gums as art at gum wall seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




post alley seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com




On the waterfront, you will be treated to more sights. More kiosks selling various knick knacks from local artists, enthusiasts and manufacturers. There is a ferris wheel, restos you can dine in, boutiques, shops and the famous Ye Old Curiosity Shop for something bizarre and for souvenirs. I bought a lot of magnets shaped like the different US states. You can also see street musicians displaying their talents for mere change.



ferris wheel at seattle waterfront by gurlayas.blogspot.com


kiosks at seattle waterfront by gurlayas.blogspot.com


fiddler on the sidewalk near seattle waterfront by gurlayas.blogspot.com


Ye Old Curiosity Shop Seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com



the mummy at ye old curiosity shop seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com





After strolling and buying souvenirs on the waterfront, we walked to the city center and got on the monorail to the Seattle Center. Seattle Center is a park, arts and entertainment center. It is where the Space Needle is. Since it was a Saturday, there were also a lot of food kiosks near the needle. It was a good day for a picnic. We bought our lunch of pancit (noodles) and lumpia  (spring rolls) from a Filipino food stall and sat down comfortably on the grass to eat.


Seattle Center by gurlayas.blogspot.com


monorail seattle city center  by gurlayas.blogspot.com



View from the monorail. The silver structure is the Museum of Pop Culture or MoPop. Formerly known as the EMP Museum or the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.


EMP museum Seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com


armory seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com


pacific science center seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com



A beer garden right near the foot of the Space Needle. Yes, drinking starts early here. Just be sure to have your ID handy and that you are 21 years old.



beer garden at Seattle by gurlayas.blogspot.com



The famous Space Needle. We didn't go up because the queue was too long.


mandatory solo pic with the Space Needle in the background | gurlayas.blogspot.com


Space Needle framed by trees by gurlayas.blogspot.com


Near the Space Needle is an incredible glass exhibit of Dale Chihuly. He went to China to study glass blowing and his pieces are really astounding.

It all starts with this. Simple, transparent and can be displayed on table tops.



transparent glass art by Chihuly by gurlayas.blogspot.com




Then there are fixtures for the ceiling. This is known as the Persian ceiling.


Persian ceiling by Chihuly by gurlayas.blogspot.com


The Nijima Floats. There are multiple variations of this.



Nijima floats by Chihuly | photo by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Below is the Sea Form Series. Featuring the flori of the sea. It occupies a really large floor space. Probably, one long corridor.


Flori of the sea by Chihuly | photo by gurlayas.blogspot.com




And then, there's the sun which is an outdoor sculpture.


The Sun by Chihuly | photo by gurlayas.blogspot.com


Here's the Ikebana. Inspired by the Japanese flower arrangement. This is hanging from the glass dome which gives a different perspective of the Seattle Needle.


Ikebana by Chihuly | photo by gurlayas.blogspot.com


After all those treat of colors and hues. You can drive down to the Puget Sound to relax. Maybe do a little fishing or shrimping or just get some fresh air or just wait for the sun set. There are also some restaurants by the bay where you can have dinner. We ate at Anthony's.




Puget Sound by gurlayas.blogspot.com




Yes, on the way to the boardwalk. You will pass by a patch of really fragrant lavenders. Just beautiful!


lavender at Puget Sound waterfront by gurlayas.blogspot.com


the boardwalk at Puget Sound by gurlayas.blogspot.com


fishing by the Puget Sound by gurlayas.blogspot.com


And to top it all and wrap-up our day was a stunning view of the sunset. 


fishing by the Puget Sound by gurlayas.blogspot.com


These are all during the day. Imagine them at night. It's a totally different scene. Probably, more festive and vibrant.



Some pictures of the gum wall were grabbed from Rudee and Arien.



Monday, July 18, 2016

The Boston Freedom Trail

I was fortunate to have a training in Andover, Massachusetts way back in 2013. On a weekend, we were so excited to explore Boston, one of the famous cities in the world. For the Americans, Boston, is the most historic and one of the oldest cities. It is one of the key cities that played a vital role in the American Revolution. So, with our very eager guide, who has explored the freedom trail in her previous visits to Boston, we are off to follow the steps of the famed American revolutionaries.


boston freedom trail by gurlayas | mywalkingshoes.blogspot.com


The Boston Freedom Trail is 2.5 kilometers in length and if you don't have a guide, you can just follow the red line that runs through the city. That famous red line will take you to 16 important and historic sites in Commonwealth-time Massachusetts.


Quincy Market

This was our starting point. It's a historic market complex near Faneuil Hall. Constructed in 1824-1826 in honor of Mayor Josiah Quincy. It is still an active market place. This was where we had lunch. It boasts of different food from different parts of the US like steak and barbecue from Texas, Mexican, Italian, various delicious American pies, etc.


quincy market boston by gurlayas.blogspot.com




inside qunicy market boston | gurlayas.blogspot.com



looking for lunch at quincy market boston | gurlayas.blogspot.com



Pies, anyone? Take your pick from various mouth-watering pies.


pies at quincy market boston | gurlayas.blogspot.com




Right beside Quincy Market is Faneuil Hall. Faneuil Hall is near the waterfront and is now part of the marketplace buildings which includes three more buildings such as the Quincy Market, the North Market and the South Market. There is a statue of Samuel Adams right outside it. Adams used to deliver speeches here to encourage independence from the British and because of these speeches, Faneuil Hall has become widely known as the "Home of the Free Speech" and the "Cradle of Liberty".



Samuel Adams statue | gurlayas.blogspot.com



souvenirs for sale boston quincy market by gurlayas.blogspot.com



King's Chapel and Burying Ground

The King's Chapel is the first Anglican church where the elite attend mass services. Rich families buy a box where their family can stay and sit throughout the service. Those who can't afford stayed on the side or on the second floor. Adjacent to the church is a graveyard which was Boston proper's only burying site for 30 years. MA first Governor John Winthrop and Mayflower's first woman to step off, Mary Chilton, are both buried here.


King's Chapel Boston by gurlayas.blogspot.com



King's Chapel altar by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Separated seats at King's Chapel Boston by gurlayas.blogspot.com


 Boston Common 

America's oldest public park. It was a common grazing ground for sheep and cattle. In the modern day, it is the site for rallies and all other activities. While we were there, there was a protest clamoring for the needs of American soldiers. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke here and Pope John Paul II held a mass in this park also.


Boston Common | gurlayas.blogspot.com



a protest rally at Boston Common | gurlayas.blogspot.com



inside Boston Common by gurlayas | gurlayas.blogspot.com



strolling along Boston Common by gurlayas.blogspot.com



If you follow this path, it will lead you straight to a gate. Right beside the gate is a big memorial for the Shaw-54th regiment, in commemoration for the outstanding contributions of the soldiers of the Civil War. 



Shaw Memorial by gurlayas | gurlayas.blogspot.com



back of Shaw Memorial by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Fronting the memorial is the famous Massachusetts State House. The land for the State House was originally used as John Hancock's cow pasture. Today, the State House is one of the oldest buildings in Beacon Hill.



Massachusetts State House by gurlayas.blogspot.com



zoom in on Massachusetts State House by gurlayas.blogspot.com


Park Street Church

The 217-foot steeple of the church was once the first landmark seen by travelers when approaching Boston. As it's name suggest this church is located on Park Street. One of the most important protests against slavery was held in this church.


Park Street Church Boston by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Park Street Church Boston steeple by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Granary Burying Ground

On the way to Boston Common, you will pass by the Granary Burying Ground. This is where most of America's notable citizens where buried like Benjamin Franklin's parents, revolutionaries like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, James Otis, all five of Boston's Massacre victims and Peter Faneuil.


Granary Burying Ground Boston by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Benjamin Franklin monolith by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Old City Hall and Benjamin Franklin Statue

Boston's Old City Hall is now a restaurant. Right outside it is a statue of Benjamin Franklin. 38 Mayors served their terms in this building like John F. Fritzgerald. This office was used over 128 years.


Old Boston City Hall | gurlayas.blogspot.com



Old Boston City Hall with Benjamin Franklin statue | gurlayas.blogspot.com




On the same street is the Boston Latin School where Benjamin Franklin was one of the students. I think this accounts for the statue of Franklin in the premises. Boston Latin School is still in operation but is now in the Fenway area of Boston.


Pres. Benjamin Franklin statue by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Old Corner Bookstore

This is the oldest commercial building in Boston. It was originally built as an apothecary and home. It later became a center for American book publishing in the 1800's when Boston became the country's literary mecca. The first published editions of Mark Twain, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson were born here. There were several bookstores that operated here. Currently it houses a number of restaurants and shops.


Boston old bookstore | gurlayas.blogspot.com


Old State House

The Old State House is a symbol of liberty which stood for over 300 years. This was where a many of the key events of the American Revolution took place like the declaration of the independence. Now it has become a museum which details all the efforts to achieve America's independence. 

Old Boston State House by gurlayas.blogspot.com



symbols at the facade of Boston Old State House | gurlayas.blogspot.com



The  famous  John Hancock, which in  modern day, the same  name is  synonymous to a signature, was one of the people who signed the American Declaration of Independence.



John Hancock exhibit at Boston Old State House | gurlayas.blogspot.com



When we visited, there was an on-going tour and we joined. The guide was very passionate about the history and she explained about what really happened during the famous Boston Massacre. It turned out, it was just a misunderstanding. It was Paul Revere who labeled it as "Boston Massacre". His widely circulated illustration of the massacre has brought a lot of sympathy and hate for the British troops.


tour guide detailing the supposed to be Boston Massacre by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Boston Tea Party Museum


Boston Tea Party or as what John Adams initially referred to as the Destruction of Tea in Boston. As we all know, the British are famous for their teas. As a sign of defiance for the British rule, citizens dressed as Native Americans destroyed boxes of tea shipment from East India Company by throwing them overboard into the Boston Harbor.



Boston tea party museum | gurlayas.blogspot.com



Today, tourists and  locals  alike can  take  part  in the reenactment. Participants dress in costumes  and  get on  the  ship  moored  near  the museum  and  do  exactly as  what the demonstrators did before. The museum is also a souvenir shop. It displays really cute sets of tea cup and various items for sale. We did our shopping here for souvenirs for friends in the Philippines.



Boston tea party reenactment by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Boston tea party museum and souvenir shop by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Boston felt like where the heart of America is. It has been the center of the American Revolution and Independence. I was fortunate to walk in the same streets as Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams and other famous American revolutionaries who fought and died for the land we now call the "land of the free". It was another way of getting to know the American culture. It was definitely worth a half-day of walking around the city. And to culminate our tour, we went to Harvard University in Cambridge. Yes, Harvard, the famous Ivy-league school. It has been a dream-come true. 


Harvard U by gurlayas | gurlayas.blogspot.com



For first-timers and tourists, it is a must to rub  John Harvard's toe for luck. The statue is not actually the real face of Harvard as  no one  seems to  know how  he looked like. The statue was modeled after one of the students who was a descendant of the brother of the fourth president of Harvard.



John Harvard statue | gurlayas.blogspot.com



We took our pictures outside The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, never mind the photo bomber in pink shorts. Probably, the biggest library I have seen from the outside. It was closed. It was July when we were there - summer vacation. 


Harvard U library | gurlayas.blogspot.com



Harvard U library steps by gurlayas.blogspot.com



We roamed the grounds and the square. People were having a picnic and some just lounge and hang out with their friends. 



Harvard U grounds by gurlayas.blogspot.com



Our  last stop  was for  souvenirs.  We can't  leave  Harvard  without buying a shirt and a magnet to commemorate this momentous day of our lifetime. We bought shirts from the Harvard Bookstore.



Harvard bookstore by gurlayas.blogspot.com



In the words of John Harvard:

He gazes for a moment into the future, so dim, so uncertain, yet so full of promise which has been more than realized.



Some of the pictures were grabbed from my very close friends (Rudee and Arien) who were with me on the trip. I can't access my other pictures as my external hd was corrupted. Info sources are Wiki and www.thefreedometrail.org.