2026.6.11-7.19 FIFA watch parties in Seattle

6/11, Thursday, first game of 2026 World Cup for soccer. Hundreds, maybe a thousand people gathered at Seattle Center to watch the live broadcast of the very first game from Mexico City, Mexico vs South Africa. Many dressed in Mexican flag color (red + green), some like these are fully decked out in La Catrina style. So colorful and festival. In the center of the right photo is the Mexican TV broadcaster and the Mexican Consule in Seattle. Only a few minutes into the game, Mexico scored the first goal (out of 2). The whole place erupted with cheer.

There were 6 games played in Seattle. 6/25, Thursday, USA vs Belgium is one of the 6, the only one US played here. South Lake Union park hosted a watch party outdoor, with many games for all ages. I watched the 2nd half of this game. Quite fun.

Many other places all over Seattle hosted watch parties. Example is Westlake Park here. I didn't watch this game. Most of the games I watched were in Seattle Center's Armory, with facilities, long tables and many chairs. Indoor, with AC.

7/19, Sunday, noon. We came to watch the final Spain vs Argentina. However, it was so overcrowded, couldn't find a place to sit, or even stand comfortably. All the body was making AC unnoticeable. Stuffy and hot. We went to KEXP, also standing room only. At least a smaller venue, not as hot. At the intermission, managed to score 2 chairs to sit down. Was fun. Spain won. Also Spain had so many goal attempts, Argentina almost nill.

Before FIFA, Seattle has invested millions to beautify the city. Westlake Park was re-vamped, more policy, more street cleaners. Lightrail runs double the frequency during this month, albeit still never was on time. Too bad, these improvements don't stick around.

2026.7.1. Canada Day

6/30, I took Amtrak to Vancouver. The 4 hour journey took 5 hours. I arrived at the station 11pm. The view was quite good at places, especially at sunset.

7/1, Canada Day. Fireworks. A lot of people.

7/2. Rained all day, all night. It was lucky yesterday.

7/4. I actually worked most of the day.

7/5. Saturday afternoon. Visited University Women's Club at Vancouver, its 100+ year-old Hycroft mansion and garden. Quite pretty.

2026.6.28. Mount Washington + Seattle Pride

6/28, Sunday. Weather forecast is not favorable. Still hoping to squeeze in a short hike, we headed towards Bandera Mt. We hit rain on I-90, so doubled back and parked at Ollalie State Park's Homestead Valley TH. Took the trail to Mount Washington. We started in mist, then fog, then rain. Decided to go to a viewpoint instead of continuing up to Mt. Washington. Here it is (the left photo), a bonafide viewpoint, but no view. Some beargrass, tiger lily. Along the road: foxglove, daisy. This cavenous rock has a natural spout of water in the rock. Maidenhair fern adorned the "ceiling". Some climbing walls in the lower elevation, with anchors on the rocks.

Back to Seattle (and out of the rain) hoping to catch the end of the Pride Parade. Too late, the crowds were leaving. Trash everywhere. Went to Seattle Center. Still a lot of people, dance and band on 2 different stages. A guy walking around completely naked, quite a few wearing strange outfits. Definitely body positive here.

2026.6.27. LA Children's Chorus

6/27, Saturday, 7pm. First time, I ever been inside of Plymouth United Church. Quite pretty, bright and airy. It's a treat to listen to LA Children's Chorus on their tour of the west coast. Today's short program is:

Be Like the Bird                    -- Abbie Betinis
Stabat Mater (1 and 8)              -- Giovanni Pergolesi
Niska Banja                         -- Romani Dance (arr. Nick Page)
Ave Maria                           -- Javier Fajardo
As the Rain Hides the Stars         -- Elaine Hagenberg
Tres Cantos Nativos dos Indio Kraó
This Little Light of Mine           -- tranditional spiritual (arr. Moses Hogan)
I Love You / What a Wonderful World -- Craig Hella Johnson

Today's songs were performed by their concert choir and chamber singers, total ~28 voice, only ~2 boys. The last song was joined by ~12 boys, who will sing more tomorrow at Phinney Ridge neighborhood. They sang like angels. Absolutely wonderful. Wish the concert is longer. Unfortunately, not well advertised, very few people in audience.

This is my first time entering Plymouth United Church, despite of walking by it hundreds of times. Quite airy and nice inside. Rather large too.

Another update, I donated to LA Children's Chorus online with a note to support their tours.

2026.6.21. Puget Sound Concert Opera "Aleko" + "Mavra"; Hot Air Balloons in Seattle Center

6/21, Sunday. 3pm. Another free performance by Puget Sound Concert Opera. Mavra + Aleko.

I don't like Stravinsky's Mavra, except that I like the singer of Mavra. He's very funny. The story is comical and stupid (a boy poses as a maid to get into a girl's house), the music is not memorable.

I really like Rachmaninoff's Aleko. The story is more epic (death, exile, love). The music is melodic. I especially like the base singer of the father, Michael Drumheller. His voice is amazing, and his socks are eye popping. Rachmaninoff wrote this opera at age 19, still a student! What a genias.

I also really like this organization's artistic director Regina Thomas. She speaks of why she picked these works, and a little background of each. She also sang in Aleko in the chorus. During intermission, there was some snack and a drawing.

After dinner, we went to Seattle Center for Seattle Glow (2nd time, but I was oblivious to the first one). When we arrived ~8:15pm, too early. There's a basket to check out. the sponsors of today's spectable had their booths: Seattle Ballooning and Muckleshoot Casino who's handing out casino vouchers. A lot of people, no space to sit down on the lawn anymore. Drones are not allowed. There are a couple of "official drone operators". ~9pm, they started to blow up the balloons. One at a time. Total 7. We weren't able to get closer until much later, when they allow you to go next to the operators. It was very colorful, hot, and festival.

Next year: Sunday June 20th.