I have come to the realization that I often have a hard time living in the moment. My anxiety can lead me to spiral into constant overthinking that can consume my attention, rather than whatever it is I’m doing at the moment. My phone is another contributor to this issue, as it can lead me to endless scrolling on media. However, as I explored these four different locations, I knew I wanted to be more present, so I silenced my phone, put my thoughts to rest and let myself be submerged into the sweet and savory flavors I encountered while initiating conversations.

The more we let fear get to us (in my case, my overthinking), the more it can stop us from taking on new opportunities. Let me dive into a new and exciting experience I took on: being a tourist in my own city.

I’m excited to report that all of the following places offer 10% to 15% for students and/or Washington residents. Just make sure that you show your student ID!

Anchorhead Coffee

Starting strong is Anchorhead Coffee. Their top floor has a bright, inviting vibe perfect for catching up with a friend, while the bottom floor has a darker and studious feel, ideal for when you want to feel comfortable as you lock in to do homework.

“[The] student discount is really nice, it’s always fun to be like ‘I’m a student at SU,’ but the vibes here are so great. I always like coming here after my French class so I can get my homework done, or take my friends here,” Hadley Grad, a first-year psychology major, said. 

I have been to this specific location quite frequently, but they have two other locations in Downtown Seattle and Pike Place. When I go, I always get my favorite drink, the iced blueberry matcha. When I’m in the mood for a pastry, I order a warmed-up cinnamon roll to pair with my matcha. 

PopRox Dance Studio 

Next up is PopRox Dance Studio, a space focused on offering a wide variety of dance classes with an ethos of inclusivity.

Before I got to the actual studio, I had to enter Chophouse Row, a pedestrian alley tucked away on 11th Avenue. I was curious about what it had to offer and was blown away by how spacious it was, as it is filled with many shops and small businesses.

I first entered the lobby of the studio where they had lots of merch, snacks and drinks. I was also helped by the sweetest workers who let me take a sneak peek at an ongoing class. Both the students and the instructor seemed to be very attentive to everyone, helping them with their moves. 

My trip showed me that this is a space full of inclusivity, comfort and support, which I think can be very beneficial in building a community specifically for dancers. 

Poprox has a variety of classes such as hip-hop, ballet (remixed), K-pop and jazz funk. These classes are also offered in levels such as introductory, beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Carmelo’s Tacos

My grandma always says, “barriga llena, corazon contento” which means “full belly, happy heart,” and Carmelo’s Tacos made me feel exactly that. I’m going to confess I ended up going to this place two days in a row. It was just that good. 

I want to focus on Carmelo’s Tacos Cherry Street location (right across from Logan field), as it also has two other locations on Olive Way and Broadway. 

The first time I ordered takeout and got al pastor and carne asada tacos as well as quesadillas and horchata. The second time I dined in and had al pastor and carne asada quesadillas with a side of agua de jamaica. If you are hungry but don’t want to get too full, you can never go wrong with tacos. If you want a little more than a taco, get a quesadilla! My personal favorite, and what I think will now become my go-to when I go again, is a quesadilla de asada. Other customers suggested a carne asada burrito as their go-to. 

I honestly didn’t have high expectations at first, because the last few times I’ve had tacos or quesadillas in different locations, the grease tends to overpower the taste of the ingredients. However, I found the food to be of good quality, containing fresh ingredients, and that they had reasonable prices for the portions and toppings they include in the food.

I would also point out that if you want a little drink on the side, get an agua de jamaica or horchata. To me, they were both pretty good, and this is coming from a person who’s team jamaica over horchata.

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

I want to close off with the Museum of Pop Culture. It is a bit farther away from campus and did require some walking, taking the Light Rail and then the Monorail. However, it is totally worth it for what you will see inside and outside this museum.

I have visited this museum quite a few times, and as some customers pointed out, it is often referred to as a “Seattle staple.” Expect to encounter some live performances, small vendors and food vendors such as hot dogs, popcorn and strawberry shortcakes outside the museum. It is also surrounded by other big attractions such as the Space Needle and Chihuly Glass Garden.  

“There was just a good amount of a little bit of everything I felt, so people of all ages can enjoy it,” Ana Rivera, a museumgoer, said.

The exhibits that stood out to me the most were the pop culture, fantasy and Asian comics exhibits. Other customers shared that their favorite exhibits were sci-fi and the history of sound. 

“I feel like sometimes certain things are not as accessible, and people aren’t really taking care of their cities’ attractions, so I really appreciate that everything was accessible and that the staff was very friendly,” Maria Paredes, another museumgoer, said. 

This place is perfect to take some pictures (with flash off), spend some time with friends, understand the history and development of certain areas of pop culture and take a break from school activities or homework. 

Being a tourist in my own city definitely helped me expand out of my bubble more. I plan on continuing to do this more often, as it helped me live more in the present and be aware of my surroundings. This has taught me to stop rejecting new opportunities because of my fear and anxiety. I must be more open to new possibilities and approach them with courage.