Last week I have been in Portland, Oregon to judge a competition. I have never been there so I decided to take an early flight to be able to look around a little bit and get a feeling for the city and what life is like there. The hotel was located downtown so I just took my camera and started to walk – and here is what I came across.
The first thing I noticed was how green it was everywhere – I am in the middle of the city and the streets are really tree lined alleys, it makes the city feel very homey.
I loved the Pioneer Courthouse square, the locals call it their “Living Room”. You can see people strolling, taking a break and just enjoying to sit down on the stairs or grabbing a bite at the Food Trucks located on the top. They actually looked very yummy and good food is definitely a thing in Portland. There are lots of artesian and organic stores and products available and the area is known for their many Micro Breweries and great wines, a must visit for foodies for sure.
Passing the courthouse I noticed those cute bronze animal figures and while taking pictures a lady stopped me and asked if I knew the story about those sculptures… We spent chatting for about 15 minutes and she told me that people love to pet those little cute creatures, children give them a hug and in the wintertime some people even knitted little hats and scarves for them to keep them “warm”. What a lovely place – it speaks a lot for the local people who are very warm and friendly and connected to nature.
I kept walking to the river, Portland has a lot of bridges and green space. You see people walking, biking and jogging along the river and in between wild geese strolling around the grass unbothered by what is going on around them.
I loved my little adventure, it was mostly sunny that day and I took the opportunity to have a nice little coffee break during a short rain shower…. but this is why it is so amazingly green there.
I definitely hope to be back one day.
xo BB
