Have you ever tried to watch Portlandia but couldn’t manage to get through an episode?
I didn’t get through an episode a few years ago. Didn’t get it. Turned it off. It was too weird.
And now I do. I get Portlandia. Because I’m in Portland and it all kind of makes sense.
I’m staying with a friend and her family who have lived here for eons, and I don’t need too much explanation about the way of life here, but if I need one, it’s quickly offered. So, now I get Portlandia. I appreciate it even, and think it’s funny although some of the sketches are still beyond my comprehension and I sit staring with a quizzical eye at my hosts who quizzically look back.
Portland fits its stereotypes. It’s just as I imagined it would be. It’s exactly like what people say it will be. And I like it!
I’m not surprised to see lots of plaid shirts, beanies in the summer, long hair cut in funky ways (lots of bangs), tattoos, food trucks, beer and breweries, markets, trees and people on bicycles.
People here are friendly and love to socialize – if you’re missing that street buzz you normally get in Eurpoe, this is a good place to come and satisfy some of your cravings.
The city is split up into several neighbourhoods which my friendly guide, A (another friend whom I met on my travels – this time during my 2 year stint in Japan) took me too. We pootled around, ate, drank, and people gazed – the people watching is amazing in Portland!
The best things about Portland, aside from the people watching:
- Powell’s Bookstore. It’s like being in a maze, but you want to get more lost and never find your way out. The bookshelves are tall and plenty, amazingly stocked with new and used books. There are levels and sub levels and rooms…it really is easy to get lost.
- Food trucks. You crave it, they have it. There is a whole block of them! A block – you can wander around the block in circles, confusing your stomach about the type of food it’s really craving. I eventually forced myself to choose and chose Indian – Vegetable Korma for $9. The ‘meal’ lasted me for three meals. Yum. Savoured every bite.
- Coffee. Everywhere. And delicious.
- Beer. Everywhere. And delicious.
- Breakfasts and brunch. Are you starting to see the trend here? Portland is great for people who love food and beer. I love food. I ate my way through Portland (also, my hosts were amazing cooks!) We even drove by a brew pub that is also a laundromat! Drink while you wait. Perfect.
- The river side. Run. Walk. Meander. And slowly make your way towards the Saturday Market.
- Looking at the houses and lawns – like in Minneapolis, the popular style here is not to have a grassy , well manicured lawn. The lawns, full of flowers, lush tall grasses and other plants make the city look inviting, lived in, loved. The houses are beautiful – in the city you don’t find the typical housing projects where the house owner got to choose a house plan our of 4 choices. The houses are all different – styles, shapes, sizes. I am told, though, that as you drive out, the ticky-tacky houses in their neat sub-divisions are about.
It seems everyone feels comfortable in this city – it doesn’t matter what you look like or what you’re wearing. Just be. That’s what I felt like a as a tourist here, anyways.
One thing I didn’t like about Portland – there are many roundabouts, great. But some of the roundabouts also have Stop signs. One or the other. Preferably, roundabouts.
Portland is also a short drive away from many attractions, including the Columbia River Gorge, home to many waterfalls. You can enjoy many of the falls only having to walk a little way, but there is plenty of opportunity for longer walks – like the steep uphill to the top of Multnomah Falls. I really enjoyed going to The Dalles Visitor Centre and learning about the Columbia River, how American Indians and early settlers used to river for transport, and how the construction of the dams and reservoirs has changed the ecosystem of the river and surrounding area. The Dalles itself is an impressive dam – it’s all free, good educational fun.
Aside: From a neighbour of A’s I learned that Toronto is called ‘the San Francisco’ of the North. This neighbour seemed to think it is a well known thought here in Portland. Hmm…makes me look at Toronto a little differently. I’ll have to exploring with this new slogan in mind to see if it really does fit.