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Growing up in a world of adventure.

Seattle Cherry Blossoms Two Ways: University of Washington and Kobe Terrace Park

If I had to pick my favorite aspect of spring in Seattle, it would be our gorgeous cherry blossoms that pop open all over the city letting us know we made it.  We made it through yet another dreary, gray winter, and it’s time to celebrate.

It’s no secret.  The “quad” at the University of Washington is one of the best places to view the beautiful bloomig blossoms.  The surrounding buildings add a great backdrop, the brick walkways tie it all together, and just being on a college campus brings a sense of wonder and possibility.

This spring we’ve actually made it to campus twice.  The first time by bike just before the flowers were at their peak.  Sure, the trees didn’t quite have the cotton candy effect of when the blossoms are truly in their prime, but I’ll take that experience any day over what happened when we returned a week or so later.  Let’s just say a sunny, warm (for Seattle) Sunday isn’t the best time to enjoy a relaxing, leisurely stroll around the quad.

So my mental scrapbook of our collegiate cherry blossoms will look something like this:

University of Washington Cherry Blossoms | WildTalesof.com [Read more…]

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Kobe, Japan: Traveling the World in our Own Backyard with Seattle’s 21 Sister Cities

Did you know that Seattle currently has sister city relationships with 21 cities throughout the world? The establishment of sister cities fosters relationships between two locales thus creating greater understanding of their respective cultures.  The exchange program began in 1956 thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower.  His intention was essentially one of world peace and less conflict; or at least more peaceful relationships between the United States and other countries of the world.

I have an ongoing goal of honoring and highlighting each of the 21 sister cities of Seattle.  The master list of cities appears in my “Travel the World in Your Own Backyard: Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities” post and will be updated every couple of weeks.  

Sister City: Kobe, Japan

Year Established: 1957

Representation in Seattle:

Kobe Japan: Traveling the World in our Own Backyard with Seattle’s 21 Sister Cities | WildTalesof.com [Read more…]

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Traveling the World in our Own Backyard with Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities

Did you know that Seattle currently has sister city relationships with 21 cities throughout the world? The establishment of sister cities fosters relationships between two locales thus creating greater understanding of their respective cultures.  The exchange program began in 1956 thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower.  His intention was essentially one of world peace and less conflict; or at least more peaceful relationships between the United States and other countries of the world.

I have an ongoing goal of honoring and highlighting each of the 21 sister cities of Seattle.  The master list of cities appears in my “Travel the World in Your Own Backyard: Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities” post and will be updated every couple of weeks.  

Sister City: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Year Established: 1973

Representation in Seattle:

The Tashkent-Seattle relationship is quite strong, and was actually the very first Soviet-American Sister City connection to be established in the world.  A wide variety of exchanges have occurred between Tashkent and Seattle from the arts (cinema, dance, tightrope walking) to professional (dentist, lawyer, chef) to social and civic work, and beyond.

The sister city organization hosts an annual event in the spring to celebrate the Central Asian New Year called Navruz.

Our “travels” took us to the Tashkent Park, which was dedicated, with a visit from the Mayor of Tashkent, in 1974 and is located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.  It features the statue, “Semurg” “Bird of Happiness”, given to Seattle from the people of Tashkent in 1989, in addition to an arbor and painted peace tiles created by school children.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Traveling the World in our own Backyard with Seattle's 21 Sister Cities | WildTalesof.com [Read more…]

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Traveling the World in our own Backyard with Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities: Beer Sheva, Israel

Did you know that Seattle currently has sister city relationships with 21 cities throughout the world? The establishment of sister cities fosters relationships between two locales thus creating greater understanding of their respective cultures.  The exchange program began in 1956 thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower.  His intention was essentially one of world peace and less conflict; or at least more peaceful relationships between the United States and other countries of the world.

I have an ongoing goal of honoring and highlighting each of the 21 sister cities of Seattle.  The master list of cities appears in my “Travel the World in Your Own Backyard: Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities” post and will be updated every couple of weeks.  

Sister City: Beer Sheva, Israel

Year Established: 1977

Representation in Seattle:

Several education, social work, and business exchanges have occurred between the people of Beer Sheva and Seattle. In order to “travel” to the city, we visited Beer Sheva Park in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood (southeast Seattle).

The park was renamed in honor of the sister city in 1978, and includes a playground, waterfront area along Lake Washington with boat launch, picnic spots, and plenty of green space.  A beautifully crafted set of table and benches to honor Dorothy Schroeter who was president of the Seattle-Beer Sheva Sister City Committee from 1989-1997, and Lucille Fuss who was the Vice President from 1989-1999 is also featured.

Traveling the World in our own Backyard with Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities: Beer Sheva, Israel | WildTalesof.com [Read more…]

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Celebrating Norwegian Constitution Day in Washington State

Today, May 17th, is Norway’s Constitution Day: “Syttende Mai”.  While we don’t have a lot of Norwegian in each of our family’s histories’, we do happen to love the country and it’s culture, and we also happened to name our son after one of the country’s lovely cities: Bergen.

Incidentally, we visited the town of Poulsbo, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula in celebration of Mother’s Day last weekend.  Poulsbo is nicknamed, “Little Norway”, and is an adorable small town filled with inviting shops, restaurants, and a bakery that has me wanting to hop aboard a ferry right now just for one bite of their cream-cheese filled Viking cinnamon cups.

Poulsbo, Washington | WildTalesof.com

Poulsbo, Washington Boardwalk | WildTalesof.com

Even closer to home is Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, another Scandinavian hub, where a huge celebration is taking place today.  We’ll be joining the festivities, and are looking forward to shouting a little, “Hipp, Hipp, Hurra!” as we watch along the parade route.

Have you traveled to Norway or even a “Little Norway” closer to home? What cities and towns have you explored? 

Come join the conversation! We’d love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter! 

Balestrand, Norway

Balestrand, Norway

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Travel the World in Your Own Backyard: Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities

Did you know that Seattle currently has sister city relationships with 21 cities throughout the world? Up until recently, I certainly did not.  The establishment of sister cities fosters relationships between two locales thus creating greater understanding of their respective cultures.  The exchange program began in 1956 thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower.  His intention was essentially one of world peace and less conflict; or at least more peaceful relationships between the United States and other countries of the world.

My interest in sister cities began about three years ago.  Upon researching our trip to Bergen, Norway we found out about the sister city relationship with Seattle.  We made a point to visit the park in Bergen that is home to a totem pole given to the city of Bergen from the city of Seattle.  It was neat to experience a little piece of home so far away.  In fact, we were so touched by the experience that we chose to name our son after the city that holds such a special place in our hearts.

Pacific Northwest Totem Bergen Norway

Totem Pole Bergen Norway

My plan is to honor as many Seattle Sister Cities as I can in 2013 with the ultimate goal being to highlight all 21 cities. Some of the ways that we can “travel” to the cities will be fairly easy,  like visiting local Seattle parks created to showcase the sister city relationship or taking in an exhibit at a local museum that highlights the city.  Attending festivals representing the country of the sister city is also a possibility, but with many others, I’ll have to get quite creative, and really keep my eyes out for events and activities that will allow us to experience the city.

Are you curious about Seattle’s 21 Sister Cities? Here they are in alphabetical order:

  • Beer Sheva, Israel
  • Bergen, Norway
  • Cebu, Philippines
  • Chongqing, China
  • Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Daejeon, Korea
  • Galway, Ireland
  • Gdynia, Poland
  • Haiphong, Vietnam
  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • Kobe, Japan
  • Limbe, Carmeroon
  • Mazatlan, Mexico
  • Mombasa, Kenya
  • Nantes, France
  • Pecs, Hungary:
  • Perugia, Italy
  • Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Sihanoukville, Cambodia
  • Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Tashkent, Uzbekistan

I myself have actually traveled to a grand total of 3 Seattle Sister Cities: Galway, Reykjavik, and of course, Bergen.  I’m hoping to add to that total, but in the meantime I’m happy to take some time to enjoy the various cultures right here in Seattle.  Besides, it’ll keep us busy since you as you may have read, we are holding off on international travel (aside from maybe British Columbia) with Bergen this year.

Stay tuned as we Travel the World in Our Own Backyard!

Sister City Resources:

Have you traveled to any of the Seattle Sister Cities? Tell us a little tidbit about your experience! We want to learn more. 

Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…in 2013: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

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