Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Famous in Seattle


Who knew that I would be famous when I arrived in Rochester Minnesota. I'm practically a celebrity when people find out I'm from Seattle... apparently being from Seattle makes me good friends with the cast of Grey's Anatomy. Living with a handful of nursing students who are die hard fans of the TV show makes for an amusing first introduction.

The conversation goes something like this:

nursing student: "Hey, how's it going? what's your name?"

me: "Gitta"

nursing student: "Dita?"

me: "no Gitta"

nursing student: "Eeeta?"

...there are a couple more awkward attempts at my name until we get that phase of the introduction process wrapped up. Unfortunately I don't have a friend or family member there to clarify the correct pronunciation of my name, but I guess that's what I get for taking an internship in the middle of exotic Minnesota.

The conversation then naturally moves to the next typical question. "So, where are you from?"

When I answer that I am from Seattle, it never fails to get the same twofold response. The first thing that comes out of every person's mouth is "Does it really always rain in Seattle?"

I may be biased growing up in the northwest, but of course my most favorite day in the world is one in which it is raining and overcast outside, the fire is glowing and I am surrounded by the people I love most. We are tucked in and enjoying a good cup of tea, a classic book or possibly making preparations for a delectable meal. So naturally my response is "no, it doesn't always rain in Seattle. It drizzles alot but it is actually quite pretty." Deep down I kind of like making the northwest a best kept secret... if people really knew how beautiful it was I think too many people may want to move on over and enjoy the picturesqe mountains and natural beauty that are characterstic of our part of the world.

The second response I get without fail is if there is really a Grace Hospital in Seattle that is featured in Grey's Anatomy. Obviously there isn't, but I get quite a reaction when people find out that I take a ferry boat on a routine basis to go home. I grew up on the classic white ferry boat with green trim and the words 'Wenatchee' or 'Spokane' written on the side of the big boat, faded from the countless trips across the Puget Sound.

I can't imagine growing up anwhere else besides Indianola, Washington.

Minnesota has its own kind of beauty. There are no forests, the 'mountains' the locals speak about would be put to shame by Queen Anne Hill and when you think you are going to a beach you may be surprised when you arrive at a lake surrounded by grass. However, the large sky, corn fields, lightning storms, fireflies, and kind people with thick accents all give Minnesota a unique flavor.

2 comments:

ROD said...

Ok, you are up and running! Great post! How about some pictures?

Lin said...

Gitta!

Wow, you are a natural blogger!
I felt like I was there with you getting grilled about the NW.
As you know, coming from the larger part of Oregon, the high desert, that I cannot share your romance with the rain and clouds.
Just be sure and tell your new friends that most of Washington and Oregon is blue skies and high cold desert.
Keep up the good work, we will be checking your blog. Love, Lin