BODIES: THE EXHIBITION presented by Seattle Theatre Group

We finally went to see Bodies: The Exhibition and while it is difficult to condense the impressions into only a few words all I can say is it was absolutely fascinating!

My parents had a chance to see the exhibit in Boston while visiting in the fall of last year and were very impressed. I was aware of another exhibit in New York that had been going on for months but that was yet another on the long list of things we never got around to seeing while living in the New York Metro area. So I was happy to find out that the same exhibit was also on display in Seattle, even if it took us months to finally make it there.

In the weeks leading up to our visit I read a plethora of reviews and articles relating to the exhibit including a seemingly endless number of arguments for and against it. I was particularly dismayed by a number of negative and at times primitive comments coming from people who had never even bothered to see the exhibit yet were ready to incohirently rant on about everything from the idea to how the exhibit was put together. I can understand people who object to the idea on principles and fully support their right to voice their opinions and argue against attending the exhibit. We were also aware of a number of political and cultural controversies surrounding the bodies in the exhibit. While all those points are worthy of discussion, we ultimately chose to see it as a scientific and educational exercise, as it seems did the other visitors we encountered in the galleries, among them curious children and patient parents, somewhat confused teenagers, medical students and artists (some of whom were making detailed sketches), couples, tourists. As such it was extremely well organized and very educational! It is one thing to see all the drawings in biology textbooks and anatomy atlases and completely another to be able to stand in awe face to face with a preserved human body or see and learn about various parts of human anatomy while marveling at its phenomenal complexity.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM SEATTLE!

Yummy Chinese (comfort) food chases the blues away!

I am still getting over a strange cold/flu bug that had been going around (back and forth rather) for weeks and just when I think I am over it, it rears its ugly head again! So we had to pass on a kayaking adventure on Bainbridge Island with visitors from our Guy Carpenter New York office. In the evening I decided it was time to satisfy a craving for good Chinese food at a well known local spot where my colleagues took me for lunch during my first week in Seattle - Tai Tung Restaurant. The sweet and sour soup really hit the spot and the laid back atmosphere and home style cooking reminded us of our favorite New York Chinatown restaurants!

This popular Chinese diner, a fixture in the I.D. since 1935 and serving dependable Cantonese and Szechuan classics (along with fresh seasonal seafood and shellfish, dim sum items, and American-style sandwiches) seven days a week, is staffed with older, quiet Chinese waiters who have gentle dignity and even gentler smiles. You'll notice them right away, working behind the counter or calmly busy in the back. The waiters are as much a part of Tai Tung as the place's food, local history, and atmosphere, which at times can feel like it's from another era (and not in that annoying "retro" kind of way). (Read full review)

Rainy weekend

This weekend was cloudy, rainy and gloomy which is probably for the better since both of us had to work on and off throughout Saturday and Sunday! :-)

Late Sunday afternoon we did end up going for a walk at Warren G. Magnuson Park after waiting for the weather to improve (without success). We found another large dog off-leash area with a winding trail and a number of open areas where Kiki enjoyed making new friends. We plan to come back again but on a warmer sunny day!