Seattle, green and cool

Sept. 30 2013

by Laurence Ogiela / TETU

From the Space Needle, that iconic tower that looks like a flying saucer, it's obvious: Seattle is all about nature. Surrounded by mountains, water and forests, the Emerald City deserves its reputation as the most livable and greenest city in the United States. Nestled between Lake Washington, Lake Union and Puget Sound, it is a model of environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Here the "green attitude" is a way of life. The city is distributed on hills that slope down to the sea. Although it is less steep than San Francisco, it still puts a strain on the thighs and calves of the many cyclists who ride through it. Unlike many American cities, cycling is very popular here.

Paradoxically, a four-lane highway cuts through downtown like an ugly concrete scar. This is the next environmental challenge for Seattle, which wants to make this highway disappear underground, and thus rehabilitate access to the waterfront.

One of the city's major attractions, the Pike Place Public Market, stretches along this highway and slides underneath to the waterfront. An institution since 1907, small producers from all over Washington state come here to sell their products directly to consumers. From fresh local vegetables and fruits to freshly caught salmon, crabs and shellfish, Seattle-ites swear by organic, local and sustainable agriculture. They are also completely addicted to chocolate and coffee. There are countless chocolate shops throughout the city.

As for coffee, the first Starbucks was born here. It has become a local attraction, where you can buy your tall latte to go since, unlike all the other Starbucks establishments, the first coffee shop did not have tables. Besides Starbucks, Seattle is home to other major brands such as UPS, Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing. As the city is known for its relaxed quality of life, here one is both a busy and relaxed entrepreneur.

Seattle is also a symbol of the counterculture in the United States. The hippy, artistic and eccentric Fremont neighborhood, self-proclaimed "center of the universe", is a testament to this. Its flea market is crowded every Sunday. Another neighborhood with a very liberal atmosphere, Capitol Hill is halfway between the Marais in Paris and the Village in New York, only grungier.

A bit bohemian, a bit beatnik, a bit destructive: the neighborhood seems quite eclectic at first glance. The arty, student and hip fauna that frequents it makes it a rather sharp place in terms of trends. Clothes, tattoos, hairstyles: it's like being in New York, London and Tokyo at the same time. Everyone is wearing a look that is both sophisticated and casual.

There are many gay and gay-friendly bars, restaurants, clubs, art galleries and design stores. All the establishments are concentrated along Pine Street and the parallel Pike Street, on either side of Broadway Avenue.

The gay circuit follows the same streets and you can walk from one establishment to another in a few minutes. The Pony bar, run by the adorable Marcus, red beard and black-rimmed glasses, is a good place to start before heading to the Purr for karaoke night, or the Cuff for leathery, manly hugs. Fans of drag shows will opt for an evening at Julias with Juanita More, or for the Bacon Strip burlesque drag show at the Re-bar, presented by the blonde Sylvia on the first Saturday of the month.

The Pony bar© Laurence Ogiela