The Travel Chica

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If Portland is weird, then so am I

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During my short time in Portland, I have fallen in love with this city.

I keep asking myself what is so special about this place and these people?

I think I finally have it.

 

The things that make me weird in Ohio are mainstream and fully embraced in Portland.

Bike culture

My friends are probably sick of me complaining about the hostile and ignorant drivers in Columbus.  When I got to Portland, I instantly noticed the bike culture.

Bike lanes are clearly marked.  Drivers share the road.  There is no hostility.

There are bike racks everywhere, and they’re all full.

 

They even have a World Naked Bike Ride.  Not sure if I would be naked on a bike, but I would certainly go watch and take photos.

Commitment to public transportation

In addition to the bike culture, it is clear that the city is committed to providing good public transportation.  Choose from the street car, the light rail, or the bus system.

Obsession with eating well

Of course the fresh, local ingredients and affordability of good food are important.

But I also noticed Portland doesn’t have lots of large fast food chains.

The closest I saw was Chipotle.  Yes, they have fast food, and they have food that is not exactly healthy, but the fast food is not filled with preservatives and chemicals.

A trip to the Saturday Farmers Market was one of the highlights of my trip.

It was packed with people and filled with so much quality produce and other handmade specialties such as cheese and meats.

I have already mentioned the excellent beer.

You should know that the coffee rivals Seattle too.

People are witty and quirky

I also have a huge appreciation for clever humor and quirkiness in every day life.  Portland has this nailed.

They even have a vacuum cleaner museum.

And the Freakybuttrue Peculiarum.

This is just one example of the weirdness inside the museum.

There is so much individuality on display.

This really is the front of someone’s home.

I think I’ve found a place I could call home…. at least for a little while.

Comments

  5. Portland must be the cleanest and healthiest city I have heard off. Looks like the administration has really thought about the city and put a lot of effort and commitment into the whole thing. Like the vacuum cleaner museum, one of its kind.
    Shalu Sharma recently posted..Bhang, India’s holy marijuana

  7. They stole the slogan from Austin, which has been using “Keep Austin Weird” for ages. Still, I like Portland as well, except for the rain. But then again, Austin has the horrible summer. Another big plus about Portland is its proximity to Mt. Hood for skiing. So, I think the perfect solution might be to split the year between Austin and Portland!
    Jeff recently posted..What Is a Favorite Place?

      • Don’t worry about making it to Austin. You missed it. As Dell grew, the city grew, and that was the beginning of the end.

        Portland is much better than Austin now. Austin’s solution to traffic was “If we don’t be highways, people will stop moving here.” (That didn’t happen.) So now it is a congested metropolis with oppressive heat in the summers and festivals in the fall and spring.

        Portland’s solution to transportation is easy to understand buses, trams, and more bike lanes. Love that place. Might have to move there.

        Portland > > > Austin

  12. I love Portland – it’s one of my favorite cities. The food is outstanding but what really makes it a fun place is all the unexpected whimsy lurking around every corner. It reminds me a bit of New Orleans in that sense, but perhaps on a grander scale.
    John recently posted..Designs They Are A Changin’

  18. Wow – that looks like an amazing place! I love the bike lanes – that is really cool to see. I have noticed that the French are much more bicycle friendly than other places, but having totally dedicated bike lanes on streets is a brilliant idea 😀
    Laurence recently posted..#TravelPinspiration: Sunsets

  19. This makes me want to visit Portland, I love quirky stuff like this! Not sure I’d want to go to a vacuum cleaner museum though ha ha :-)

  21. As you know, Portland has still alluded me! I think I’d love it. All of these things you mention are why I loved living in Austin so much: individuality, good food, emphasis on mom and pop places with less fast food, so many cool things to see…. I must get to Portland. When I do, I’m calling you for tips!
    Abby recently posted..How-to: guided motorcycle tours through Grand Canyon

  24. Please explain the blown up chair in the FreakyButTrue museum.

    I love these photos! I have been dying to go to Portland for years. I might need to get you to go with me to show me around!

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