Seattle

Seattle is known as the Emerald City. Its greenness stems from its abundant rainfall which encourages the growth of lush vegetation and also from its reflection in the clear blue/green waters of the Puget Sound. Visiting Seattle creates a mosaic of colorful impressions that shimmer in the imagination long after the visit ends. Mt. Ranier looks down on Seattle from its majestic heights. Driving through Seattle on a clear day has been compared to floating on a cloud in an emerald sky.     From the dining room atop the Space Needle, a meal can be enjoyed along with a panoramic view of the whole city. Pike Street Market is a medley of fresh fish, fruit, vegetable and flower shops right on the water. Sitting at a sidewalk café, one can watch the men who work in the fish markets throwing the fish from back to front. As a customer asks to purchase a fresh fish of a certain size, one man selects a fish from the barrel of ice, throws it to the weigher who is positioned in front of him, who in turn calls out the weight and throws it expertly to the wrapper who packages it and hands it to the customer. It is not unusual to see huge tubs of Alaskan salmon, king crab legs, and dungeness crab awaiting this process in the market.