Long forgotten and newly relived memories - a short trip to Seattle

 

This seemingly non-descript picture was taken earlier this month when we decided to make a last minute decision to spend the long weekend of July 4th in Seattle. I usually balk at the idea of unplanned travel, but life has taught me to be more pragmatic. But also Seattle is a special city for me..

13+ years back, I came to Seattle. It was winter, and the famous folklore about Seattle's weather was not known to me unfortunately. I arrived in this country on January 21st, a Friday. I remember that as I went around exploring the city on foot (I started driving from 2013), my lips were too numb for the serving person at McDonald's to comprehend what I wanted to eat!

But what's with this picture, you ask. This is the apartment where I stayed for 2 months in Seattle. A beautiful apartment at the heart of Seattle downtown, I remember one morning standing in the cold balcony and seeing a huge ship sailing past. This ship was so big that I couldn't see where it started and where it ended! Seattle is one of the few things that I couldn't share with my husband. He was in India still and while I missed him badly, the city had enough attractions to keep me going during the weeknights and on the weekends.

As we roamed around the downtown on foot, some memories came back. We went to a Japanese restaurant on the same street as my apartment to have our dinner and since they had a wait-time, they wanted us to wait. As I gave them my phone number, they seemed to have a record! While we decided not to have dinner there ultimately, I was reminded me that I indeed had dined here during my first trip!

As we walked up and down the hill (Seattle downtown is like a roller-coaster!) to visit the attractions in downtown and visit restaurants, I kept marveling at how much things had changed. Or perhaps my memory had given its way, I'm not sure. 

At the end of this trip, I was glad that I could share my memories with my husband and my son. It felt special to relive some special moments, like sitting near the fountain of Harbor Steps Apartment and explaining how I managed my grocery shopping, a convenience store that's not to be seen anymore, a home decor store that still has the same pieces after all these years (!)

One thing that I couldn't relive though was the sadness that I had when I left Seattle. When I went to Seattle, it was meant to be a short trip after which I would go back to India and join my husband. Instead, I flew to Washington D.C., for another work commitment. I was anxious for the new city and new people and I was sad that it would be a few more months before I get to see my husband again. To not sound over-dramatic, my husband visited me in DC in summer of 2012 and I went to India in December for 2 months before my husband relocated to US. A lifetime of experiences there!

Baatein bhool jaati hain, yaadein yaad aati hain

Something very magical happened a few minutes back. Google Photos prompted me with our pictures taken 14 years ago. These pictures were from a trip we had taken as newly-weds. We went to Yercaud where we stayed at a beautiful resort, had delicious food, and enjoyed the laidback lifestyle of a remote place for a few days. This was very different from the fast and hectic lifestyle we were used to, in Bangalore. Coupled that with the fact that this was our second trip after marriage, the overall experience was idyllic.

I was looking at these pictures wistfully and admiring a much younger and vigorous me, with a headful of hair. My husband stood beside me in one of those pictures, looking much younger and reminding me of the boyish face I fell in love with. It was the last picture on my screen that prompted this post today.

That picture was of a young man, early 20s, standing proudly next to his autorickshaw. It would be accurate to say that even the second before I saw this picture pop up on my screen, I had no recollection of him. But when I saw this, many memories came gushing back..

This enterprising and friendly young man had taken us to visit local spots during our stay there. At the end of our stay, he also took us back to the nearest train station. (Honestly, I don't remember this, my husband reminded me.)

As I was processing my emotions upon seeing this picture, my husband loudly wondered what that man must be doing now. As I heard that, I was reminded of so many people who I met at a certain point in my life, and I didn't even get to say goodbye when we parted. I am reminded about my help, Lakshmi at my apartment in Bangalore. Lakshmi couldn't speak any language other than Kannada and my vocabulary in Kannada could be counted on fingers. We communicated in sign language, yet we understood each other completely. As anybody living in metro cities of India would confirm, the tempers of house help are legendary. Lakshmi was as far from this as possible - she barely spoke and never gave me a reason to complain. I hope wherever Lakshmi is, she is happy and living comfortably, with her family.

I am also reminded of Bijoy - another young man from Odisha who cooked food for us. Unfortunately, Bijoy's temper lived up to the legend and one fine morning, Bijoy walked out of our house when our tempers clashed. He never worked for us again, inspite of my pleas. I cringe at the recollection of my behavior, although the blame didn't lay with me solely. I hope the older Bijoy has found a better paid job and living off comfortably, with his family.

So many people, some remembered but most forgotten. A lifetime of yearnings, memories, and sighs - perhaps that's what makes everything more memorable.

And finally the picture that served the inspiration for this post. :)

I hope your spirit is still intact, my friend. Thank you for your kindness to a young tourist couple.