Tag Archives: tourism

New Video, exploring the Danny Woo Community Garden

Check out my new video, now up on my Traveling Orion Youtube channel!

This latest is my continuing stroll through Kobe Terrace Park, to the adjacent Danny Woo Community Gardens. For over a quarter-century, these collected plots of land have serviced the local community, and add much character to Seattle’s International District’s local culture! Definitely worthwhile, for anyone who enjoys gardening or just feels the heart and soul of it all.

Meanwhile, I did a little refining on my post-production editing routine, figuring out more on the subtleties of timing and spacing. I think I need a bit more practice and learning, but I will get there. I also added some music (free use provided by YouTube resources) at the end credits. I like it.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy!

The calm, empty streets of Seattle now

It’s been a weird last few months, for reasons now inescapable throughout our current hours of civilization. We collectively must stay apart, stay isolated, be sanitized, lower the curve of those infected, allow and support our busy medical workers.

I’m doing my part in my tiny Seattle apartment, keeping busy with projects, working at home, supporting others. But then, usually every other day, I must go out for errands. I take the routes through downtown where people are less likely, the broader sidewalks, avoid any huddled situations.

Throughout the typically tourist-heavy area of the downtown Seattle area around Pike Place Market, there are empty spaces. The air is cleaner, quiet, calming. Voices are few, silent, reserved for essential communications. I pass by someone infrequently, remain distance but smile to spread positive vibes.

I also carry my camera often. It’s not the best, just a Canon Rebel T6…great for those with decent incomes. I have many lenses for it. My current one I often use now is the EFS 18-136mm macro lens. It’s a beauty for sure, but it also weighs a little more than I am used to when placing it in my backpack. For these big empty streets, it’s a perfect accessory to capture these surreal moments.

From this week, I share some favorite moments captured from my essential walks.

That’s all for now. Take care and be safe out there.

Orion T

The great Post Alley Art Wall

Post Alley Art Wall

Between two giant tourist attractions in Seattle, being the Gum Wall and the Pike Place Market is my favorite thing in the area for all visitors to check out…the art on the wall of Post Alley.

You’ll find this in the side of a downwards driveway below the big sign to the left, towards the Gum Wall from the west end of Pike Street. It’s hard to miss, unless really tired. But, I love it any time as it is always changing. It’s full of social messages, with some politics. Also full of adverts, shameless self-promotion, heads up on local events, and some puzzling stuff.

That’s all for today. I think the imagery has at least a thousand more words that speak to the reader than I can put forth for now. Just click on to enlarge and explore!

– Orion T

The Post Alley Times

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Sometimes, I cut through a part of Post Alley from the main Pike Place Market area in the Seattle city.

That is a moment with an atmosphere I enjoy, with the echoes of its partial underground amplifying the joys of tourists chatting and the busy street traffic above (being that this alley dips under into a slight ditch and tunnel).

The overall Post Alley is a place of disconnected fragments, confusing to newcomers. There segments are close to each other in the area, each with a separate charm to itself. The particular area I enjoy, is the one with the famous Gum Wall of which I shared some findings on, here. There is much else, including a few old shops, some bars, the entrance to a small theater I have yet to visit.

But cutting through, I take a moment to see what’s new on the walls not covered by sticky gum and windows. Always, there is varied art and self-promotion here. Much in the past of such, I have shared on this blog. The view is never the same, and always changing, with some reflection of the times. The other day was the shot above, and below here:

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A little more promotion than usual, but that’s okay. Much here is a reminder of the happenings of Seattle, and social joys one can connect with. Take it all in with these gifts of randomness present. Try not to process all, or look too hard at some meanings.

Then, walk away feeling some kind of emotion. Mind is usually simple joy, with sprinkles of inspiration.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 1/3/2016, Time around the Gastown Steam Clock

  

A good walk on Sunday, is to go about an unfamiliar way..

That I did for my last day in Vancouver BC, before heading out. The central downtown is vast, with far more than the few days over my short visits. This time, I walked around the Gastown area, passed many closed stores and dingy markets along the way.  I eventually spent much time at a local flea market; where locals hawked jewelry, DVDs, used tools and old electronics. That was mildly amusing. Not much else happened afterwards, other than me looking through various windows of tourist souvenir stores. Nothing quite caught my interest, as I seemed more for a place to settle down and watch the Seahawks game against the Cardinals (win 30-6!).

But something eventually did catch my eye on the particular corner of Water and Cambie..a smoking clock. Why was the clock smoking? It was powered by steam, of course. The Gastown Steam Clock is awesome and worthwhile of study..

 

The following shot explains a bit more…

  

If I had not turned down that path, I may have never known the existence of a steam-powered clock. And, I learned a bit more about the area of Gastown. Perhaps, another day for those tidbits, when I have more time..

– Orion T

More Post Alley art…

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Yesterday, I posted a small portion of some amazing wall art one could see in the Post Alley opening (located under the side of Seattle’s famous Pike Market).

Now, I share a bit more. What is now seen is only what’s here for now and certain to change over time. No two visits over an extended time period are the same. I will look forward to every revisit.

But for now, explore with your eyes..

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