Welcome to Periplum

The Art of Being Almost Local

There's an art to becoming almost local somewhere. Not tourist-local (you know, that proud moment when you finally figure out the metro map), but the kind of local where you have opinions about which bakery makes the best canelés and know exactly which trail offers the perfect sunset view of the city. It's about finding that sweet spot between fresh eyes and familiar rhythms – becoming not just a local, but an almost local.

Here's a confession: I've never stayed in one city for more than five years. From a tiny island in Canada through Seattle with over a dozen other cities in between and a pandemic-era road trip that covered half the country with my tiny dog (more on that wild journey another time), I've been collecting cities like some people collect postcards. Always staying just long enough to feel like I belong, but not so long that I lose sight of the magic.

As I write this from my favorite café in Queen Anne, watching the steady stream of tech workers and Trader Joe's regulars with their weekly hauls, I can't help but reflect on how Seattle feels like home after nearly five years – just as the Bay Area and LA did before. And maybe that's the point. Home isn't just a place; it's how you learn to inhabit it. It's finding the bagel spot that makes Sunday mornings sacred, the hilltop park with the best sunset views, the corner of the city that comes alive in the rain.

And that's precisely what Periplum is all about. Drawing inspiration from both the Greek word "periplous" (meaning "sailing around") and Ezra Pound's modernist appreciation for the beauty in everyday city life and nature, this newsletter is an exploration of places through direct observation and daily rituals – not your typical tourist guides or must-see lists.

In these posts, you can expect:

• My ongoing adventures in Seattle's vibrant arts, food, and culture scenes

• Tales from past cities and travels (like that time I explored 11 Balkan countries with my mom)

• Urban-wilderness escapades (because sometimes the perfect day calls for both craft cocktails AND scenic hikes)

• Musings on the art of becoming "local" wherever life takes you

Think of this newsletter as a travelogue of sorts – a collection of sketches, stories, and attempts to find home in each new city. Rather than a comprehensive guide, it's an invitation to see the world through the eyes of someone who's always searching for the extraordinary in the everyday. Whether you're planning your own move or simply craving a fresh perspective on your current city, I hope you'll join me on this journey.

I'd love to hear about your own 'almost local' experiences. What makes a place feel like home to you? Hit reply and let me know!

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Coming soon: Confessions of a Seattle newcomer – five years later.

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Finding home in the world's corners,
Susie