Cape Disappointment Lighthouse

Photo by Irene Watkins (Integrated Studies, Fall 2009)

Pioneer Square Alley

Photo by James Macry (Integrated Studies, Fall 2009)

Pioneer Square

Taking the bus to Pioneer square would have been a pleasant bust ride away, had the bus gone down to pioneer square that day. So instead of a leisurely bus ride, I had a very long stroll. Luckily 3rd avenue doesn't climb any rigerous hills or descend as if it were taking you to the earths core itself. And not taking the bus made me see the smaller detials i would have otherwise missed. The trees that encroached on modern society by standing their ground in the concrete jungle were adorned with metal grates over their soft dirt groundings. Some were simple slats of metal designed to let water in, while others were intricately designed with leaves and twigs within the metal to mimic a woodland floor that had existed many years ago.



Across from these trees are feats of man kind. Towering buildings were decorated with art of all different kinds. Some of a molten looking rock and others with murals that stretched higher than I could reach, given that I'm only 5'3" it may not seem like much, from down here that's pretty damn tall. As I reached the actual Pioneers square area I felt as though I had taken a step back in time. Buildings were fillagreed with wonderful architecture and sculpted to look intricate and amazing. You don't see to many buildings like this anymore. Though some of them have been restored or remodeled they still hold the charm and awe as their aged pictures held on the piece of paper guiding me on my journey.


Pioneer square has almost anything you can think of: pizza places, the underground tours, bakeries, pizzarias, rug shops, child care, centers to help the less fortunate, bubble tea stores, antique shops and even a kilt store?! As I passed through occidental avenue I saw a totem pole that seemed to have been dismantled from when I had seen it the previous year. It seems as though this place is always buzzing with life, always changing and growing to the needs of the people. Stages are put up and torn down, stores come and go, installed art is added and removed.



Yesler Way was an odd street to say the least. A large triangle building jutted out of the hill looking like the wales that breech not far away from the bay. The open parts of the structure reminding me of the whales mouth. What a peculiar part of town. Old looking buildings coverd this area as well, making me feel like should wear some of my grandmothers outfits to fit in with the buildings. The apparentess of the conflict during the street grid construction is apparent, navigating the streets and following cross walks is like follwoing a pirate map with a tiny 'X'. Good luck finding them!

Going into the shops wether it be a rug or candy shop gave you a real feel of community. Everyone was friendly and every store unique. Some had giant teddy bears or giant rugs, giant sculptures or a well known history. The owners definatly knew their craft and were eager to share information on how a rug was made, or what processes create delicious fudge. I didn't really understand why there were giant teddy bears, unless they are just to sit there for an embaressing photo of a friend :)

Standing next to this gigantic building made me feel really really tiny. I didnt even recognize this structure until i walked a few blocks away. Then i could finally see the top and it resembled the image that we were given.






When i found this sculpture i was actually surprised, because it was not in our handout as something to look for. I dont know if anyone else read about this sculpture but it was built in memory of all Seattle's fallen Firemen. I really loved seeing these statues. The detail in the Firemen make them seem so life like.

So i had to write about my experience in Pioneer square inside of the globe bookstore which is located right next to the, at the time, closed arcade. But i actually was glad that i was forced to write about it in this store because the store owner actually had a lot of information that he was more than happy to give. He told me about how the Grand Central building was actually called the Squire Latimer named after the two owners. This building was actually Seattle's first opera house, which also produced musicals. When this building, along with practically every other building burnt down in 1889 new regulations were made to limit the amount of wood in these buildings. Squire Latimer was practically all wood, as were the other buildings in this area. The owner even told me that the sidewalks had wood in them. After the fire it was rebuilt in just four months, but now it was built with brick and steel. During the Klondike gold rush the building was then turned into the Grand Central hotel until the 1950's when it was turned into what you would find today.
and i think i just made the "turned in on Sunday" mark!!
Michael Eber

Gently twining metal reaches to embrace panes of frosted glass.
Fallen leaves cling stubbornly overhead,
Forming a second canopy for this graceful shelter.
The air flow changes slightly here,
A sense of peace pervades.
Despite the steady pitter patter,
Passersby hush as they walk, protected, between the loving arches -
Almost as though they also feel the difference.

heavy mist. certain destination, uncertain path. we turn right, then left. above, gray. below, red. shimmering silver in the green. frozen figures standing vigil. left. journey completed, one path becomes two.

up and down. retracing and reforging my steps. my feet take me to a hidden place. down. a ceramic cavern. warm. alone. labyrinth. I am comforted. but the maze leads me out. up.

the way shuts behind me.

The 4th Floor

Climbing up the stairs

thinking to my self how did i get here

wondering when i'll reach the top

and what will be there waiting for me

then....

the blinding color

shading my eyes it engulfs my body

taking me over like the sea

everything is quiet

i try but no words will come out

suddenly i'm laying on the ground

small sparkles of white light above me

thoughts racing thru my head

my mind is still

i'm lost in the size

in the memories

in the pain

in the color

in the red.....