Portland’s a Weird One, Seriously
okay, so i’m still vibrating. like, actually vibrating. i landed in portland last night and it’s… intense. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 20.17 degrees, feels like 19.78, pressure 1008, humidity 59. it’s like stepping into a perpetually rainy, slightly anxious indie film. and the smells? don’t even get me started. coffee, rain, something vaguely floral and unsettling.
my flight was delayed, naturally. three hours. three. i spent it staring at a guy who was meticulously building a miniature replica of the liberty bell out of pretzels. it was… a thing. i swear. i almost offered him a gummy bear.
i’m staying in a tiny studio downtown - it’s basically a glorified closet, but the landlord, a guy named Silas who collects vintage teacups, said it’s ‘character.’ he also told me someone told him that the building used to be a taxidermist’s shop. i’m not entirely sure i believe him, but it adds to the whole vibe, you know?
first thing i did was hit up Powell’s City of Books. seriously, it’s a labyrinth. you could get lost for days. i grabbed a copy of ‘weird fiction’ - because, portland - and a ridiculously overpriced coffee. like, $8 for a small black coffee. portland, am i right?
wandering around, i stumbled upon this amazing little record store - ‘Vinyl Frontier.’ the owner, a woman named Juniper, had this incredible collection of obscure 80s synth-pop. she was rambling on about the history of drum machines and the resurgence of cassette tapes. it was… a lot. i bought a record by a band called ‘Static Bloom’ - i have no idea what they sound like, but it felt right.
i tried to find some decent food. i heard that the food cart scene is legendary, but honestly, it was overwhelming. so many choices! i ended up grabbing a vegan burrito from a cart called ‘Spicy Soul.’ it was… surprisingly good. a little too much cilantro, maybe, but good.
explored a bit of the rose garden - it’s actually pretty stunning, even in the drizzle. the colors are insane. and there were these guys, like, really intense photographers, setting up shots. i overheard gossip that one of them was trying to get a shot of a hummingbird feeding on a specific type of flower. serious dedication.
seriously, if you get bored, Eugene is just a short drive away. it’s… different. i’m not saying it’s better, just… different.
my gear list for portland (because, you know, i’m a professional):
waterproof jacket (obviously) - like, seriously, don’t even think about leaving home without it.
comfortable boots - you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
a portable charger - your phone will die. it’s inevitable.
a notebook and pen - for capturing all the weirdness.
a reusable water bottle - stay hydrated, people!
a healthy dose of skepticism.
overall, portland is… a lot. it’s chaotic, it’s quirky, it’s rainy, and it’s somehow completely captivating. i’m not sure i fully understand it, but i’m definitely enjoying the ride. i’m gonna go find another coffee and contemplate the existential dread of a miniature pretzel liberty bell.
check out some local spots:
Powell's City of Books
Spicy Soul Food Carts
* Portland Rose Garden
and seriously, don’t be afraid to get lost. that’s where the magic happens.