Seattle Love

Hey Seattle, I love you! I realized that I never wrote about my former-home city. When this lil blog was born three and a half years ago, I was focusing on TRAVEL and my transition to Myanmar. Seattle did get an honorary mention as my road trip and travels began, but I think she deserves her own post; don't you?

As part of my USA visit, I booked two weeks in Seattle (note to self, and friends, please remind me, next visit should be 3+) at the beginning of December. No, that's not the most beautiful weather time to visit, but my friends look just as good in the gray. ;) When the clouds finally parted, as we descended, this was my first glimpse.

Seattle, impressive rain or shine

The first week I stayed at R's lovely home, visited a lot with Y and hit up some favorite spots. Araya's is an old favorite vegan Thai restaurant. My first meal in Seattle was at their Madison valley location; they had one restaurant when I first moved to Seattle (U-District), now they have three!

At Araya's with J, yes, I visited more than once. ;)

One of my favorite things about Seattle is the live music scene. It's also one of my most-missed aspects of living abroad. Seattle has small, medium and giant-sized music venues and there is something interesting happening every single night of the week. While living in Seattle I saw plenty of shows at the Paramount and I was amazed to see that another old favorite, the Pixies, had decided to visit Seattle on their tour at the same time as me. I managed to get a ticket to the sold-out show and they rocked as much as always. La la, love them!

A familiar landmark

As amazing as ever

Plum Bistro is an all-vegan restaurant on Capitol Hill. It's a cute, but tiny spot and they don't take reservations. Their mac n yease recipe is an experience (to die for!) and everything on the menu is delicious, whether you have dietary restrictions or not.

R and I visit Plum

It's an interesting experience to be in the states without a car. I spent a lot of money on taxis, Lyfts, Ubers, walked and got back into the bus system. I enjoy not having to own a vehicle, but that's something that is a lot harder to manage if you live in the US.

Waiting for my bus

In my first week, I also visited my beloved Eastside Prep. It has expanded and the physical layout and campus have changed a lot! Still, after visiting with former students, administrators and teachers, I would say that the soul of the place hasn't changed. Teachers: if you want to work in Seattle, apply here! Parents: if you want your kids to learn and grow in a supportive yet encouraged-to-stretch environment, apply here!

Another very vegetarian, vegan and gluten free friendly restaurant is Cafe Flora in Madison Valley. I love their tofu scrambles and coffee in the morning. Gosh, it's easy to have dietary restrictions and live in Seattle.

R, Y and I caffeinate and prepare for the day at Flora

After a week in the city I was whisked a little farther north for a couple of days to reunite with A and A (elementary school friends!). We chatted, chatted, joked and chatted one morning at the Skagit Valley Co-op in Mt. Vernon. They have a great natural market and lots of deli dishes too. My favorite was the turmeric almond milk latte.

Two old friends and one very new one.

My second week began back in Seattle, but West Seattle this time. Have I mentioned all the sunny days that Seattle shined on me? Maybe she was trying to woo me back... Too bad, during my stay here I signed a contract with would pull me south. 

Seattle skyline from West Seattle

I had my very own room at J and M's, J graciously let me use her car to attend Yoga training in Redmond at Sattva Yoga (I'm very close to finishing my 500-hour cert!), M made the best popcorn, J made the best vegan chilli, Bowie is the cuddliest kitty-company and J and I even had time to do a little touristing, too.

I was in town just in time for a show at the Skylark, featuring many friends and former colleagues playing their music.

One Sunday morning there was a reunion at A and V's new place in West Seattle. Everyone was moving too quickly for me to get any great photos (including the twins!), but here they are!

V oversees the prep

A in position barista!

J and I decided that our favorite spot for breakfast/brunch is Chaco Canyon Cafe. They have kombucha on tap and lots of delicious organic options!

Pike's Place Market, downtown is a not-to-miss spot on any Seattle tour and this trip was no exception.

Required photo shoot!

The last day was a walk along West Seattle with this one and lunch at my new favorite Thai spot outside of Thailand - Buddha Ruksa - before my airport drop. Time went super-fast and I hope I'll have time to see everyone next trip.

Thanks to all my friends for hosting me, treating me and driving (or letting me drive!) around! I've got such great memories of our time together. See you next time! Or, maybe... in Mexico???

Laneway 2017: Singapore

One of the things that I miss most about Seattle is the wide array of options to experience live music. On any given night, you can find a show, whether it's a local band at a small bar or a larger tour at a bigger venue. In Yangon it is not the same....

Enter Laneway! This festival takes place in Singapore annually and brings together musicians from all over the world.

Singapore by night

My fellow music lover friend and I started plotting our reunion in Singapore to attend the festival in fall 2016. I had never visited Singapore before and I knew this wouldn't be the trip to take in the whole city because I only had one weekend. However, I did meet up with my friend G, who lives in Singapore and get a taste for the city. I definitely want to see more! Singapore is clean, modern, historic, organized, friendly and safe.

A floating baby and a boat in the sky... Why not?

We booked in at a hostel... Singapore is an expensive city! Our tiny closet room, with only a bunkbed and locker cost $50 a night. I would probably look for a different option if I went to Singapore again, but this place was clean and the rate included coffee and breakfast. 

Showing off our festival wristbands in the hostel lobby

The day of the festival was sunny with puffy white clouds. J and I navigated the subway, giddy with excitement. It's one of my favorite feelings to know that all I have to focus on all day is music.

We arrived early! No crowds yet!

Bottlesmoker and me! This is a fun blend of electronic pop from Indonesia. 

The skies started clouding... but that didn't stop this artist!

J making a custom blend of Oo La perfume.

Selfie during Sampa the Great 

And the rains came... and stayed for about 3 hours.

Even though rain showers are common in Singapore this time of year, the venue didn't have any shelter. Some huddled under raincoats and others just got wet. It's south east Asia, so at least it's not too cold! 

Still smiling. 

By evening the rain had stopped and we were glad that we had hung in there! Despite the rain, we stayed in high spirits and it was an interesting cultural experience to attend a music festival in Singapore. 

We noticed that people were quite polite; there was very little pushing and it was easy to make your way close to the stage at any time. One singer tried to crowdsurf, but it didn't really work... the crowd didn't know how to gather together to hold him up.

The main stage was so organized - they actually had two stages right next to each other, so one side was being set up while the other one was used for a performance. This made wait time between artists minimal and kept the music playing!

Bob Moses performs

Victory shot! We survived the rain!

So, what were our takeways?

Our favorite artists were (in order of appearance; I'm not playing favorites!):

• Bottlesmoker - electronic, fun and very danceable (Indonesia)
• Tash Sultana - sultry female vocals + self-taught singer/songwriter + guitar (Australia)
• Gang of Youths - just what rock should be (Australia)
• Jagwar Ma - reminiscent of 90's alternative (Australia/London)
• Bob Moses - a little indie, a little electronica, poppy at times... Tearing Me Up catches you and won't let go! (Canada)
• Tycho - the side project of a San Francisco visual artist, this is relaxing electronic music with all the details considered (USA)
• Glass Animals - these guys were our surprise of the festival... we really liked this indie group's stage presence, music, pineapples and style! (UK)

And, yes, we would go again! Laneway also visits Australia and New Zealand. Hmmm....

Late night bands... yes, these festivals do tire you out.

Happy Lunar New Year! Year of the Rooster!

Just finished reading:
Euphoria by Lily King - A mostly fictional tale inspired by the lives of Margaret Mead and fellow anthropologists. This one is for February book club! I'm curious as to how the author got her ideas and why she fictionalized the story...and how she decided to keep some fact here.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez - An intense historical fiction young adult novel about the last days of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Yes, you should read it.

Do you want to visit Myanmar?
CNN's top 10 list of things to do here. I'm working on it. ;) More Myanmar posts coming soon!

Just finished making:
This simple tofu quiche has become a favorite! It is easy and you can sub in any veggies you like! Makes a great breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Chewy peanut buttery gluten free vegan cookies! And simple! I threw some mini chocolate chips in my second batch... yummm. Next time I make them I am going to try subbing less honey for the sugar... to make them a little healthier.