As Jill posted we just returned from visiting our friends Rob & Danyelle in Portland. To be honest I didn’t expect much from the city being that it’s located in Oregon - Isn’t the state known for white supremacist militias and trees? Ring any bells - “black bodies swinging - strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees” - in the not too far back of my mind I expected to be that fruit (yes I’m aware of how that sounds -Tobias). To my surprise I became enamored with Portland - dare I say it - Oregon. It’s pure, raw, untouched and inexperienced - easy there you salivating dirty old men I am describing a city - But you know I think I get that now (JK).
When I first stepped off the plane I wasn’t very excited. To start off I saw no color in any faces - although I do mean that in a boy there are lots of white people here, where the brothers at? - sort of way. I also mean it in a boy these people are really really white, like a transparent white, like oh my god I think I can see your kidneys white - sort of way. I admit I felt uneasy and somewhat suspicious as to what kind of treatment to expect from Oregonians. Their constant staring wasn’t exactly welcoming either, but I said to my self, “Jorge give it a shot it isn’t everyday these people see Emmanuel Lewis strolling through PDX”.
I was already on edge when I got to baggage claim and found out that one of my suitcases was missing. So of course on my way to baggage services I start to curse Portland and all of its toothless pasty faced meth addict fattys. Fortunatley the woman at the desk was so nice and helpful she was able to change my mind and take the stick out of my backside - if you knew me you’d know that’s an almost impossible feat. After sorting out that mess we walked over to the car rental place and of course they we’re as pleasant as care bears - not the annoying secret bear more like champ bear - and setting the tone for the remainder of the trip they gave us a free upgrade. I tell you Portland is Canada’s bastard child.
There was literarily too much to do in only five days. We started off on Thursday night by heading over to Slabtown which is a laid back bar with CHEAP DRINKS and food. We were there on open mic night which is generally a horrible idea no matter where you are but the place itself was so redeeming I could almost ignore the folk death metal fusion travesty happening on stage. It’s somewhat of a large dive equipped with dim lights, pool tables, vintage arcade games and rock ‘n’ roll in the air. I did mention the CHEAP DRINKS right?
After loading up on cranberry vodkas and buffalo wings we headed out to a club spinning indie pop and post punk - on a side note we called this place earlier that night to find out what kind of music they’d be playing and the DJ was nice enough to call us back just to let us know - yeah I know care bears. I will say there were some very shifty characters attending that night including the most unattractive table dancers on the planet and sword fighting centaurs. Still I burned holes through the soles of my boots.
Once we got our fill of dancing we headed out to one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been to, The Tube. The inside is built to invoke the feeling of being inside a television. The music was an amazing mix of neo-psychedelic, shoegazer and ambient pop. The drinks were CHEAP and good enough. The crowd was made up of indie anti-hipster kids who have nothing to do with LA’s brand of obnoxious scenster slime -which is true for most of Porltand’s music scene - it’s a softer New York and an affordable San Francisco.
For the next few days we ran around like anime characters - you know recently waxed eyes too big for their heads - in awe discovering Portland. We hit Hawthorne St a vintage shopping district loaded with local food joints and keen bars on every corner. Also along our trail of gitty smiles was The Pearl District an artsy community rich with galleries, record shops, bookstores, restaurants, breweries and parks. Some of it’s highlights include Powell’s Bookstore the largest independent new & used bookstore in the world and 23rd Ave which was a mix of high end retail stores and avant shops. I vow that one day I’ll fall in love on that street right in front of the Vespa shop; with all of the trees covered in white Christmas lights the place resembles a cartoonish urban forest - care bears I tells ya care bears!
Another of Portland’s highlights is Saturday Market, located under the Burnside Bridge it’s the largest arts and crafts market in the US. Founded by craftspeople in 1974 the artisan community of about 400 is a place where you can get anything from fork jewelry to a Mayan pancho - which I almost bought - you know represtn’ like whateva b. If you get hungry stop by the market’s international food court , no ride you say, the MAX Light Rail runs right through Saturday Market. In fact the rail along with the bus transit system seems popular in Portland which could explain why parking is never an issue. Seriously wherever you go count on finding a parking spot inches from your destination.
No we didn’t just drink and shop. We also experienced the Clinton Street Theatre. Opening in 1915 it’s one of the oldest movie houses operating in the US and is famous for its showings of independent revival films. During our visit the theatre was hosting the Winter Prozac Film Festival sponsored by The Portland Mercury. It was six weeks of cult classic films meant to get you through the cold winter months. We were lucky enough to catch the last film, Bring It On. As if that weren’t perfect enough the theatre actually encourages you to drink (alcohol) and heckle during the movie. I tell you there is nothing funnier than a room full of drunken lesbians cooing at Christen Dunst.
All and all the two most impressive and cohesive characteristics of Portland are it’s by the people for the people vibe - local artist, bands, shops and restaurants are the spine of the community - and the genuine kindness that everyone in Portland exudes. I smiled the entire time I was there.
