My New Home

A few days back, when I was in Boise, I called an old friend of sorts, who happens to live near Portland to see if I could crash at his place. I had already planned on staying at hostels for most of my trip, so it wasn’t complete downer when he told me that he was leaving for Mexico the next day, it still would have been nice to have seen him. Yeah, the one time I decide to go to Portland, just happens to coincide with the one time he decides to leave Portland! He did however point in me in the rite direction of some interesting and cool things to do and the streets where to find them. One street he mentioned, Hawthorne, I was able to find a hostel rite on it.

The trip from Eugene to Portland was just a stones throw. I made fast time taking highway 5 north, sorry 20 well meet up again later. Once I got close to the city, I instantly got confused by its extensive freeway system that loops in and out of the city, and over the river. I was quite surprised by what a major metropolitan city Portland is. I half expected to find, if I was lucky one or two tall buildings along the lines of Boise, but definitely not a thriving, dense downtown Mecca. Anyone who knows me, knows that I freak out when driving in the tight confines of a major city. This would prove very difficult for me as I battled the on slot of one way streets and freeway entrance ramps. All I wanted to do was get to southeast Hawthorne and 31st street.

I got lost as I blindly traveled around the city hoping it would just appear in front of my eyes. After about an hour of just aimlessly driving about I stumbled across the Hawthorn bridge and was on my way. I found the Hostel I was going to stay at on my third pass of the street; I have the hardest time locating these damn hostels, but I blame that on poor signage.

The hostel itself was very different from the other three I had stayed at. It was a buzz with action, all sorts of people coming to and from it. The people that were staying there, were all characters in themselves, but still the friendliest of folk.

I was shown about the place and led down a set of stairs, into a somewhat dank basement, around three corners and into a back room where my bunk lay. After fashioning the sheets, I made my way back topside to start exploring the city. I was like a kid on Christmas morning, filled with excitement for what I might find in the city.

I was just about to set out back towards the Hawthorne bridge which takes you into the heart of down town Portland, when I received a request from the lady who checked me in. She sent me in the opposite direction toward 40th street to fetch some day old bagels for the hostel. They were free, for all of us staying there to enjoy, but someone had to fetch them. I wasn’t bothered by this request and took it as an opportunity to further explore.

As I walked down the street, I found all sorts of people about, and all seemed to have a smile on their faces, even nodding their heads and saying hello to me as I passed. The street I was on was littered with all sorts of wonderful little specialty shops restaurants, and coffee houses. I picked up the bagels without a problem and headed back to the hostel, where once again I was greeted with even more friendly smiles
I then decided to just keep walking, and walk I did. Now this might not sound like much, but I am not the walking type. I have a sort of flat footed week ankle thing going on, so I tend to do as little walking as possible. I am also lugging around with me a 30lbs pack on my back. I decided not to let any of this dissuade me from my journey, and off I went about the city for what must have been a 10 mile hike.

I was floored by all the numerous smiles I kept getting from the locals, and thought maybe someone had affixed a “kick me” sign to my chest. Just what were all these people smiling at? Then I was also thrown off by all the people on bicycles. Were not talking a few, were talking a few thousand! Every where you go someone zooms past on a bicycle. I couldn’t believe it. Even on my way in I noticed the bike lanes, but never really paid much attention, until I got on foot, and saw how widely there used.

I often wondered what the big deal with Portland was? Everyone is always talking about going there and what an awesome city it is. For once I agree, Portland is truly an amazing city, one that rivals Chicago. It has an amazing feel to it, that’s just to hard to describe, its one you have to experience for yourself. I could definitely find myself calling this city, my home.