RLE - the Redmond Leadership Experience is what the winners win for their efforts in Firenze|USA.

While the details of what happens at the RLE will have to be shrouded in enigma at this point, I thought shots of where the action happens might be blogworthy :). No it is not a post of desperate (really-really!) but a show of my neighborhood, after all RLE happens 2 lights from my home.

RLE happens in Lincoln Square in Bellevue on one of Microsoft's top floors with vista views of the lakes sorrounding Bellevue. Currently the plan is to house the winners of Firenze|USA at the Hyatt in Bellevue from where they can just take this skybridge from the Hyatt hovering over the ridiculous traffic at the corner of NE 8th & Bellevue Way and enter Lincoln Square with ease.... and go back after the RLE after-party back to their hotel rooms, with absolutely no need to drive!

I know what you are thinking - Why is the Redmond Leadership Experience happening in Bellevue and not in Redmond?

Two reasons. This year RLE happens on a solely on a Sunday unlike previous years when it stretched over on the Monday as well, wherein living next to campus in Redmond makes more sense. But more importantly, its a lot more fun to live on "Snowflake Lane" during holiday season than on campus in Redmond, IMHO. A bellevue tradition ... every holiday season (This year's started last wk), the sidewalks of Bellevue Way & NE 8th at The Bellevue Collection transform into a charming Northwest Holiday experience called - Snowflake Lane! Magical snow falls nightly (which is magical, since it rarely ever snows in Seattle)... as live toy soldiers and winter characters take their places and play music, with a charming light show to brighten the night.