Seattle trip

Well, we're back home after a very successful trip.

We took a shuttle bus outside a hotel couple of blocks from our house that went trough some downtown hotels and then proceeded to downtown Seattle (only costing $90 return for two people). Bus ride was uneventful - even the border crossing - but not as nearly as tiring as flying, and we arrived to Seattle on time. By this time we had figured out that it seemed impossible to call Hardy's mobile from my (UK) mobile so we needed to call his wife Tracy to get her to call him so he could come to the right place to pick us up... overly complicated, but it worked and Hardy found us in five minutes.

Hardy lives in Seattle suburbs with his wife Tracy and their two children Sofia and Gilbert, and the party we had been invited to included other friends and neighbours, and most of them bringing at least one child of their own. I think Dragon counted eight kids at some point but it was difficult to keep track when they were constantly moving. Their house was in a cul-de-sac, and looked exactly like those big American houses that you see in the movies that you think no one really lives in. Well, Hardy's family does, and it was a beautiful house decorated with plenty of Christmas decorations (and then some) but all still done in good taste.

Say what you will about Americans (and I do too at times), but I've seldom felt as welcome and at home at somebody else's house - especially on the first visit - as I did at Hardy and Tracy's. Especially considering that previously I'd met Hardy twice when he was working in Portsmouth and never met Tracy or anyone else at the party. Wonderful, intelligent and warm people, delightful evening. After all the guests had gone and kids had been put to sleep, the boys - both being games designers - talked shop. Tracy is as used to this as I am, and it was really cool to meet someone like her who had the same problems and experiences with a games designer as a husband as I've had.

Although our room was on the chilly side, we slept really well, in fact way later than we intended to. Still, we had a lovely unhurried morning: had breakfast, chatted, and after Tracy's sister Mandy offered to look after the kids we headed into town. It was absolutely fantastic weather, albeit a bit cold, but it was clear so we decided to go up to the Seattle's most famous landmark, the Space Needle. There was quite a wait to get up there, but it all worth it. We even got to see the magnificent Mt. Rainier that is apparantely only visible 40 days a year. Seattle is beautiful - not as beautiful as Vancouver, but well worth a seeing the city, sea, mountains and Lake Washington. Next time we'll have to take a bit more time and wander around the city.

We had a coffee while boys talked more shop (and I had Chai Latte - excellent), and then it was time to head for the buss. There was also a big wait to get to the elevator going down, but we had time to chat so the wait wasn't too bad. Then another four hours in a bus and we're back home. I'm really glad we went - the temptation to stay home and spend another couple of days lazying on the couch was definetly there... All definetly worth it, and we'll be going back for sure.