Muditha
Whenever I shared my plan to start grad school in Seattle (2016-2018), everyone said, “It is a beautiful city, but it rains”. As far as I was concerned, if it didn’t snow that much, I didn’t mind at all. But only when I went there, I realised what they meant. It is non-stop rain, believe me. I was fortunate enough to have our friend John give me a lift from the airport to the place that I booked online. Seattle was a big city, and since it was night, the entire city was like a sky full of stars.
Seattle at night
I found myself in a new place, far from home, and was about to stay with a family I had never met before. Everything was happening so fast. I haven’t met them before in my life; I only messaged via Facebook. In the end, it turned out to be the best place I could have found. Julie and Narayan were wonderful hosts and made me feel right at home. I felt safe in this foreign land and consider myself lucky to have found their place.
After settling into a room painted light green and with a painting of Monet hanging on the wall, I started exploring my neighbourhood and reached the University of Washington (UW) after taking several wrong turns on the way. The campus was massive and breathtaking. For me, the most striking place was the Suzzallo library, and over time, it became the place that I frequented the most.
University of Washington – Suzzallo Library
This write-up is about two events that taught me some valuable lessons. During the orientation program, FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students) organised a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. My friend Diana joined me, and it was my first time taking the bus downtown. There was no conductor, all we had to do was swipe our cards to get on. The aquarium was fascinating. For the first time, I saw several sea creatures that I had never seen before, such as otters, seals, luminous moon jellyfish, octopuses, starfish, and many others.
After spending a few hours with the sea creatures we were free to go. Before signing up for the trip, I thought they would drop us off at the campus; well, I was wrong. We had to find our way back. Diana told me the directions to the bus stop and I set off on my own. I thought I could manage, but it turned out it wasn’t as easy as I thought. All the streets looked the same to me, and I was walking downtown all by myself for the first time. It was so crowded and I got lost in the crowd. I called my friend several times, and even her directions were confusing because I had no clue where I was. At the time in 2016, I didn’t know how to use Google Maps.
So, lesson no 1- learn how to use Google Maps.
As I was trying to find my way back home, I saw from a distance, a man running towards my direction at full speed. I moved aside, but he hit me with his shoulder and I fell hard on the pavement. It was a terrifying experience, and I was surprised that no one came to my help except for the person who caused me to fall. I didn’t even look at him, I quickly checked for my wallet and phone, to make sure he didn’t steal anything. Thankfully, everything was safe. But it was all a blur and after that, I stepped aside so far whenever I saw a running person. Eventually, I found the bus stop by following the names of the buildings as my friend mentioned.
A similar incident happened a few months after, not to me, but to another person as I was walking around my neighbourhood. She was a lady in her 50’s, I guess. Suddenly, as she was walking, she fell on the pavement, and I ran to help her out. She was keeping her hand on to her chest and offered me her hand to help her up. But the problem was I was not up for the task, I mean I was not physically built up for the task. She was thrice my size and I was helpless, I badly wanted to help her. Then she got up halfway, and she said, “Push my butt, push my butt”. Well, I had no idea what she was talking about! So I tried lifting her by pulling her from her back. But no movement at all! (I felt that I was so tiny and weak!) Then, another man who was in a café nearby came to the rescue. He helped to lift her from one side, which he did. But my side was still inactive. Just then, a lady with a dog came running towards us and knew the trick to lift a fallen person. She did it by lifting the belt loops of her jeans. I was relieved, I handed her bag to her. (At least I managed to do that) She thanked the three of us wholeheartedly and her smile made my day.
Lesson no 2- eat more and be strong!
Well, that was a digression, but I love that story. Back to my first week.
Next, my first meeting with Charith who helped me online to find a place to stay even though I hadn’t met him before in Sri Lanka. He took me out to see the famous Pike Market in downtown Seattle. It was such an interesting place with so many variety of stalls and sights to see. I was fascinated by the game shop where they had miniature versions of Star Wars characters, batman figures, and other collectibles. There were local shops as well, paintings, jewelry, and other souvenir shops. He showed me the famous Pike Place Star Bucks Store, the first Star Bucks store established in the US.
Gum Wall
Also, the gum wall. Then, he took me to The Athenian Inn to have lunch. This place was significant because a scene from the movie Sleepless in Seattle was shot in this location with Tom Hanks. He told me that the very same stool he sat on was still there. We got a table there but I had no idea what to order. He suggested Fish ‘n’ chips. I said okay, why not. I had a grilled salmon and it was tasty. But, amidst the tasty meal, my stomach started to feel weird.
I realised that it was probably not the best idea to order fish ‘n’ chips during my first week in a new country. Well, that was lesson number 3.
The first few weeks when we travel alone to a distant land, we experience so many things at once, and it can be overwhelming at times. But at the same time, we learn a lot about ourselves too. Sometimes, it is good to step out of our comfort zones, fall, and rise again to see a whole new world.
