the pearl district . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

menus . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

trees. portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

carton service . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

oblation papers & press . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

je pense a vous & je t’aime . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

water tower . portland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

modern confectionery lofts. portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

hunt & gather in b&w . portland, oregon . polaroid 420

pearl district . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

flower . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

vespa & sushi . portland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

crockery . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

pearl district . portland, oregon . polaroid 420

pella. portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

electric . portland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

mini cupcakes & coffee . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

a french lunch . portland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

me & common table . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

amy & her coffee . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

chandelier . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

mt. hood . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

washington park . portland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

emily at living room theaters . portland, oregon . canon 5d mk2

tacos . portland, oregon . polaroid sx-70

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Portland, oh, Portland. I fell for you. Hard.

Instead of describing exactly what I did, I will share with you what I loved, as well as a few things I noticed.

+ the pearl district.
Oh, oh. How I loved this area. Most of these images are from the Pearl District – I loved it that much. Plus that was the area I spent the most time exploring on my own. It reminded me of a cross between Chicago’s buildings & Sacramento’s midtown feel.

+ powell’s books.
It’s book heaven. And I could’ve lived there. Three floors filled to the brim with books? The possibilities are endless. It is also where I purchased my Heart in Oregon sticker because yes, my heart is in Oregon.

+ living room theaters.
What a lovely little spot! I met up with an old high school friend of mine here, we watched Amy‘s friend Michalangela sing live jazz (she has such a lovely voice – I bought her CD while I was there) & drank delicious spanish coffee while catching up :)

+ restaurants & shops.
. isabel pearl . Coincidentally, the owner resides here in San Diego, and also owns other restaurants here :)
. cupcake jones . Had the most adorable key lime coconut mini cupcake here. Yum!
. st honoré boulangerie . The most charming french boulangerie, & had the most delicious lunch there! I love places that have common tables – it’s a very fun way to eat :)
. ipnosi . bought the most adorable blue coat here ;)
. sapphire hotel . this is actually a restaurant, but it formerly a seedy hotel where rooms were rented by the hour around the turn of the 20th century. Pretty awesome location & delicious brunch food!
. oblations paper & press . unfortunately it was closed when I passed by, but I did droll through the window ;)

+ the people.
One of the things that struck me the most about Portland was definitely the people. On my entire trip, it was probably the most welcoming, warm & comfortable locale; random strangers would compliment my clothes, and I just felt like I was accepted. I got the impression that people genuinely cared for each other – even strangers. One of the things that I noticed immediately when walking around the city was people looked at one another. People were looking at me! I was actually quite self conscious about this in the beginning, I thought there was something wrong with me or that I stuck out strangely, but I then realized that this is just how Portland people are. The way people look at one another isn’t a mean way either, like some cities do – they’re not looking at you to judge you or size you up in any way – the way people look at one another is a comfortable, gentle curiosity. While I was there I noticed myself looking at others more – and looking strangers in the eye more – something that I don’t feel like I can necessarily do here in San Diego. In Portland, I felt like I was actually a part of their community, even though I had been there only for a few days. It was pretty amazing.

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In short, yes, I love it & want to move there. I had never felt so immediately comfortable in a city like I did in Portland. I loved it. In my head, I’d like to think someday, someday. Portland. You are in our future.

Someday. :)

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Up next, Seattle!

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Previous road trip posts:

the beginning.
day one.
day two.
day three.
day four.
portland . the home.