“I am here; and here is nowhere in particular.”
– William Golding
It’s a gray Monday morning in Seattle, the kind of morning that only confirms every expectation I’d had of this city’s infamous weather.
After grabbing a quick breakfast from District Market and dropping by a printing center to have some sketches scanned, I arrive at Seattle’s oldest espresso bar – Caffe Allegro, whose brick walls and high ceilings seem designed to inspire. Latte ordered, I sit down and attempt to work.
It hits me every so often – on the first morning of the Rickshaw Run last September, in my little beach house in Goa – right about when I first start setting up shop: pulling out my laptop and hard drive, channeling some wifi, and turning an ordinary table into my desk for the day.
And what hits me again here is this: gratitude for this portable life, and for the chance to work on what I love no matter where I am in the world.
I’ll be honest and confess to devoting a ridiculous amount of headspace to thoughts of the future – wondering where I’ll end up and when, debating Brooklyn vs. Seattle vs. Saigon as potential home bases – but on days like today, I’m reminded that ultimately the location itself doesn’t matter.
As my camera was sadly stolen in San Francisco last week, I can’t share any photos of my new favorite haunt in Seattle – but what I can leave you with today is a quick sketch from Shi Shi Beach (pronounced Shy Shy), where I spent the weekend camping by the ocean and falling in love with its misty, tree-lined shores.
From San Francisco to Shi Shi to Seattle, this west coast summer is proving to be quite the adventure.
Funny, I just left Siem Reap and spent a few weeks in The PNW also. What a beautiful place! What is next?
So sorry to miss you again here, Jon! Hope you enjoyed your PNW adventures, though 🙂 I’ll be here in the Seattle area for a couple more weeks before heading to the Bay Area, and then it’s off on my next sketching trip…details to be revealed about that soon! And where are you at the moment? Heading back to Asia soon?
That’s a brilliant gratitude to have. And a brilliant headspace! I hope your decision proves to be not too difficult (or at least, fun to deliberate over). Are you getting a new camera soon?
Thanks so much for your comment, Lindsey – it’s great to hear from you 🙂 The decision definitely isn’t too difficult – thankfully I’m enjoying this stage of not having too permanent of a base, and am trusting that it’ll unfold when it needs to. (And I’m stoked that I pick up my new camera tomorrow in Portland – it’ll be so good to have it back…as I’m sure you understand!)
I find the more I travel, the more I dream of a place to one day call home – the exact opposite of what I did when I actually had one! It’s a tough decision to make, but I’m certain your heart will let you know when you find the right place to set up your desk on a more permanent basis 🙂
Yes! Isn’t it funny how that works? So glad to hear I’m not the only one dreaming of a home whilst constantly on the move 🙂 Thanks so much for your wise words, though, and I can’t wait until our wandering paths cross again!
Wow I’m sorry to hear about the camera 🙁 I do like your writing though. I like the daily snippet of life like I’m there sitting watching the day go by as well. Home bases are funny I seem to keep changing my mind where I want to “settle down”. I’m not sure I even quite understand the meaning of that just yet! Or how I’d want to define it. Lovely sketch as well.
Thanks very much for your kind words, Anwar. Thankfully I’ve been able to replace my camera, and so far it hasn’t gone walking again 🙂 And I know what you mean as well about how to define “settling down” – hopefully it will make sense when the time is right!
I read about your sketches in the NY Times today! I love your Seattle watercolors! I’m looking forward to visiting that city next month. You’ve inspired me to bring my sketchbook! Thanks Candace! Diana
Hello, Diana! Thanks so much for coming here via the Times – it’s wonderful to hear from you. I’m also delighted to hear that you might bring a sketchbook with you on your trip to Seattle next month! I’ve absolutely loved my time in the city (and the entire Pacific Northwest region) so far, and can only imagine the adventures that await you here! Have a great time, and I look forward to seeing you here again 🙂
If you stop in Portland, I’d be happy to show you around if I am in town! Sorry to hear your camera was stolen but happy to hear you are enjoying your time in the PNW. Shi Shi has been on my list for a while…the ONP is one of my favorite places in the PNW.
Hello, Heather! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello. That’s awesome to hear you’re from Portland – I passed through there last week, but was sadly only in town for two nights. As I’m sure you can understand, it was nowhere near enough time to fully appreciate the city 🙂 Also, I can’t recommend Shi Shi enough. The rainforest you hike through to get to the beach is especially worth a visit!