Flying into Portland last night was on the list of wondrous space/ time travels. After a beer at the new JFK Terminal 5, we boarded the JetBlue flight and got sucked into the Direct TV vortex. 3 episodes of Top Chef, 2 rounds of Terra Blue chips and chocolate chip cookies later, we landed in the aqua blue geometric patterned wall to wall carpeting of the PDX airport. And it was only 11pm. We were welcomed into L's amazing, spacious NW apartment and promptly fell asleep.
Morningtime
The morning began with the famous Ken's Artisan Bakery, which to our delight was around the corner from the apartment. Fresh piping hot Stumptown Coffee and an amazing pastry with Oregon Blackberries no less! All served with a smile at the sunny and airy cafe.
The Croissant- sweet, flaky pastry, yet crisp and caramelized on the bottom with huge juicy Blackberries and crystallized sugar. Yum-oh!
Afternoon Quench
We decided to explore the center of Portland first- SW and Downtown, which are undergoing a major revival. We hopped a bus (free fare zone!) and stopped first at stopped at the Portland Building on Salmon and SW 5th- you can find out about Parks & Rec. events, get your street vendor license, or pay a parking ticket. Great aquamarine tiled building.
We sighted more then one awesome municipal sculpture commission, walked along the waterfront park on the Willamette River, and beheld plenty of seemingly cheery homeless people and their dogs.
But, our real thirst quenching reward was on the corner Washington and 2nd Ave.- a cavalcade of street vendors from horchata & fresh burritos to arepas, to spring rolls and Thai iced tea for a buck to artisinal pizza with homemade soda in flavors like hibiscus to cucumber to fresh lemonade flavored with rose water. Discount for bringing your own cup! Plus, all kinds of vegan and vegetarian options. We were blown away by the sheer variety, quality, prices!
Everywhere we looked, there were parking lots filled with food vendors! We could very likely spend the next 6 days eating our way through each one. Hmmm, not a bad idea.
Miles of Books
Lastly, we made our way back to the #15 bus, stopping for a quick peak in Cameron's Books. A shady looking place with window that have likely not been washed in 50 plus years, their selection of used books and magazines is beyond extensive. Playboy Magazines from the 60's for $3! My kind of place! Check out some of the aisles:
1 comment:
mmmmm sounds delicious, and cheap!
I can't wait to visit.
Are you bringing 3$ playboys home for bathroom reading? hahah
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