My Way Down to Chinatown

Who doesn’t love an adventure?  Well, who says you have to travel to get your fill?!  While at home, I know I am guilty of becoming comfortable in routine; and I realize there is a whole world of Seattle waiting to be explored.  So, yesterday I took a trip to Asia.

Dragons crawl up the street lamps and foreign languages compose restaurant and grocery store signs. 

Bins of varying roots, jars of dried fruit, and isles of imported cuisine and unfamiliar Asian delicacies filled the markets that I explored.  Hard-boiled eggs cooked in tea and deer tails to be used in soup were among the unusual Asian foods I encountered.  I took home a box of green tea mochi, whole-wheat sesame crackers, ginger-honey crystals, and Japanese patterned parchment paper (no deer tails this time!).

It was a unique experience being the minority in an area only a few miles from home.  Many had very broken English, yet most were extremely friendly to this tall white girl with a camera and variety of questions. While only spending an 1 1/2 hours in Chinatown, I have more appreciation of the vivid color and distinct expression of the Asian culture.  

After my meandering, I began my trek back to my car.  In my path, I was caught by some beautiful blossoms up the hill from Jackson Street.  Though I didn't follow the path through the park, the sight was another highlight to my adventures in Chinatown.

Continuing on my way, I stopped for a cheese pastry and guava juice.  Yum!  

My last stop before hopping into the good ol' Durango happened to be a lovely boutique nestled in the heart of Chinatown.  MOMO's eye-catching window displays grabbed my attention and invited me into their store. Infused with Asian decor and European apparel, MOMO's interiors created a world of its own.  Open for two years now, the boutique adds an incredible dimension to Seattle's fashion scene.  Make sure to stop by 600 South Jackson Street to promote a "happy - lucky - life", as you enjoy fresh clothing designs, hand-crafted jewelry, and tasteful home accessories.  

My purchase of the day:  

An incredible scent by TokyoMilk that refreshingly blends "hyacinth, IRIS, citrus zest, and crisp greens" (find a variety of scents at MOMO)

The iris being my favorite flower, it is no wonder I was attracted to the scent.  Not only does it have significance to me, but it also holds a symbolic importance to the Chinese culture. 

Similar to the fluttering wings of a butterfly, the iris flower symbolizes the spirit of early summer in China.  


And speaking of butterflies!  Look at this treasure I found at Goodwill.  While looking for some home decor, this butterfly-shaped sequin top rested at the end of a clothing rack just waiting for me to take it home!

Tuesday was a great day filled with new adventures.  While it could have been easy to rent movies and veg on the couch on my day off, I found this little "staycation" to be much more fulfilling.  I encourage you too to map out an adventure for yourself.  You never know what kind of treasures you can uncover.

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Yet, while enjoying yourself in the comfort of your own home town, let us remember the tragedies that are occurring around the globe.  

Along with your thoughts and prayers of support, you can donate funding to:

http://www.redcross.org/

http://www.japansociety.org/earthquake. 

http://www.interaction.org/

Please read US Relief Agencies Defer to Japan in Aid Efforts for more information and ways to give.

New Orleans Adventure: Days 2 & 3

The sun shone a bit brighter than the day before (if you know what I mean..), but we yanked ourselves out of bed to absorb Fat Tuesday’s festivities.  At an early hour of 9:30 am parades charged through New Orleans as onlookers grasped plastic cups filled with spiked drinks.  Oh yes, we too were ready for a day of fun.  But, first on the agenda:  Breakfast.  We snagged some grub from a convenient store and headed back to the hotel for a little more beauty rest, before the beautiful costumes came out to play.

Dressed in our most colorful ensembles, Kels and I pounded the pavements once again.  Yep these boots were made for walking!  Energy and excitement were coming from all directions.  As we walked through the streets, we came face-to-face with a parade of people.  Glitter fluttered around us, as a passerby through confetti and said, "you've been Mardi Gras'd!"  Paint suddenly decorated our faces, as another stopped us in our tracks and whipped out his face-paint set.  With sparkling hair and vibrant faces, Mardi Gras was already off to a great start for Kelsey and me!

On our way to a Mardi Gras Museum (yes, it’s true.), we were caught by the sounds of live music coming from a side street nearby.  Curious about the commotion, Kelsey and I wandered over to the live band and gathering of people.  “Hey girls, come join our private party,” a middle aged man said to us.  Confused after he walked away, we said, “why not?!”  Upon entering the gate, we veered into another alley-way where a courtyard displayed a lovely fountain and a broad assortment of Cajun food and alcohol.  Greeted once again from another middle-aged man, we learn that we are partying with some locals at a law firm’s annual Mardi Gras extravaganza. 

Freshly made Jambalaya, drinks, live music, a trip to a nearby cigar shop, and good company filled our afternoon with fun.

On to the next adventure!  We joined the masses and watched yet another parade cruise through the streets.  It was always a challenge to attract attention to get those beads!  My purple hair did the trick on this occasion, and I was called forward to receive some BIG beads of black and gold.  Check those babies out!

After another bout of beauty rest, we slipped on our full-fledged costumes and resumed of fun-filled day.

Hand-made feather tail & Fringe embellished corset

Incredible costumes, dancing in the streets, gutters filled with garbage, stages rocking with live music, and meeting wonderful people made Mardi Gras an experience never to be forgotten!

What FUN!

...

The next day moved a bit slower than the first two...

This garbage bin is filled with stories of the nights prior...

We rode the street car toward the cemeteries and took in the peaceful surroundings and historical significance.

A nap in the sunshine atop our hotel's courtyard outlooking the Mississippi, lunch at the French Market, and shopping completed a successful adventure!  

New Orleans even gave us a colorful goodbye.

With an imaginary "Grenade" in hand (literally, the death of me), I toast to the adventures yet to come!

New Orleans Adventure: Day 1

At 11:30 pm we left a city of cold gray drear and at 8:00 am entered one of warm colorful excitement.  Even at an early hour New Orleans was bustling with people from around the country—each of whom was buzzing with the energy of “party mode”.

After changing our clothing and refreshing our faces in the hotel bathroom, Kelsey and I set foot onto the cobblestone streets of the French Quarter and went off to explore.  Clad in colorful apparel, cowboy boots and glittery make-up, we were ready to begin the story of our 3-day adventure. 

On our way to sampling some New Orleans cuisine, we took in the beauty of the St. Louis Cathedral and witnessed the lively activity surrounding it.  Horses waited to provide a carriage ride, artists vividly displayed their artwork, and jugglers enthusiastically performed their talents.  Next to a juggling street performer we found a local café and ate a hearty meal.

Once the coffee kicked in, we once again pulled out the map and continued our wandering through the new city. 

Our first day’s adventure included:

The French Market where we tried on intricately-made masks.

We took in in the quaint pastel-painted homes.  It is entitled the French Quarter for a reason.  I felt as if I had been transported back to Europe.

We wove through the streets exploring and found some treasures in our journeying.  

Our tummys once again rumbled (or at least mine did), so we made the quest to find some freshly-made beignets.  The square, powder-sugared doughnuts were made as we chatted with the bartender.  He told us of his adventures of travel, exploration, and meeting new people.  Hmm doesn’t that sound good?  Yes, it was an inspiration.

Beignets and beer in hand, Kelsey and I resumed our walk, headed toward the Mississippi River for a picnic on the waterfront.    

The park began to fill up, and we joined in with the commotion.  The "krewe" Zulu enlivened the area with DJ's, live music, and dancing.

Before a NIGHT OF MAYHEM, we ate some local Po' Boys in our hotel room.

Once we had our fill of the local sandwich, our night began by watching the incredible parades cruise through the streets.

Our festive night also included:

Swimming through the current of people on Bourbon St.

Spinning with the popular drink: The HURRICANE

Dancing with my African American sisters on stage

Seeing my West Coast brother from another mother--my Prince Joseph (unfortunately, I have no photo to show for it, but it was a highlight of the trip!).  

The evening ended with a neck-full of beads (and all accumulated with class, of course ;) )

Cheers to a first day in New Orleans!

Due to the length of this post, I will continue the story of Fat Tuesday in one to follow...