SUNDAY | After more introductions, this time to Julia's roommates which happened to be her sister and her Aussie boyfriend, we unloaded our bags into the spare room and headed off to grab dinner. Residing in the NorthWest District right next to Division Street made our dinner options plentiful but in our exhausted state we were happy for Seth to make the decision to eat at Santa Fe Taqueria. Over tacos Julia ran through a list of all the places we needed to visit in Portland during our week stay. Our Mexican meals consumed and a list of to-dos formed it was back to the apartment where we all happily scampered to our respective bedrooms for a much-welcomed sleep. MONDAY | It was pushing midday before Ash and I managed to pull ourselves out of bed and start exploring the area. Our first stop was brunch at Spielman Bagels followed by a stroll around the area whilst exploring the shops. For an afternoon treat we hit up the Portland’s famous Salt and Straw for some ice cream. We’d seen the line around the block the previous evening and heard the rave reviews from Seth & Julia so we couldn’t help but stop in for a scoop. They let you try every flavour before you buy but Ash was immediate in her decision to go with Green Apple & Wasabi. I tried a couple of options before the taste testing guilt kicked in and so I settled on their number one pick Salted Caramel. Keen to make the most of the ‘home’ vibe back at the apartment we strolled back and Ash settled in front of the TV whilst I wrote some postcards to home before snuggling up in bed with my book. Julia returned from work just after 6pm and was insistent we hit up Bamboo Sushi for dinner. Her recommendation was spot on and the three of us sipped delightful cocktails (Thai chili infused saké, guava, hibiscus and lime) whilst feasting on the most incredible sushi and Japanese tapas. Post meal we wandered past the hordes of people lining up for Salt & Straw before hitting the sofa to watch Magic Mike. Julia made it about ½ way through before needing to go to bed whilst Ash & I managed another hour before our eye lids began to droop. Despite all our relaxing that day the hangover from Bend was still taking its toll, so much so we couldn’t even stay awake for Channing Tatum. TUESDAY | Our alarm went off on Tuesday at the same time as all the workers were heading out for the day, expect our wake-up call was for an appointment at the lady groomers. Once we’d both completed our various hair removals we attempted to have breakfast locally but nothing was open yet. After grabbing a coffee from the cart at the end of the street we settled in back home for some cereal. After relaxing at home for a couple of hours it was time to drive across the Fremont Bridge to Aberta, the artsy district of Portland. It was here that I’d booked myself a tiny house for a couple of ‘me’ days. After locating the house Ash and I wandered through the cute suburban backstreets before hitting up the main road. Scattered along Aberta Street is a collection of funky clothing & art stores as well as hip bars, cafes and restaurants. Bollywood Theatre had been recommended to us by a couple of people and it did not disappoint. The décor is vibrant and an ode to all things Bollywood (thus the name) and the food was eccentric & delectable. Overwhelmed at ordering time we took the advice of the girl manning the register and her suggestions did not disappoint. When our meal was unfortunately over we wandered back down the main road popping in and out of the shops. Running ahead of schedule meant we were able to pop into the Radio Room Bar for a beverage before it was finally time for me to head to the tiny house. With our drinks empty we winded back through the quiet residential streets to check out my digs. The space was compact but the numerous skylights and awesome furnishings made it feel luxurious. Perfect for me to have some time by myself. I ordered Ash and uber and then for the first time in a long time I was alone. After darting up the street to pick up some supplies for the next couple of days I settled into the sofa and binged watched Netflix. As the rain splashed down outside UberEats brought some delicious local Thai right to my door and just as quickly as I was off the sofa, I was right back on it enjoying the freedom of doing absolutely nothing. WEDNESDAY | Despite it being a working day Aberta Street was buzzing with hipsters out grabbing coffee. I darted around the small groups gathered on the sidewalk and marvelled to myself about how the dress code for this sub-sec remains the same all over the world. My breakfast venue for the morning was Petite Province, a suggestion that came highly recommended by Julia (no matter what you order it comes with a side of Croissant). After requesting a table for one I was seated out on the sidewalk allowing me to continue my ogling of the hipsters who continued to dominate the street. The sun was out on force and so I enjoyed every ray of it as I made my way down to Loyly, a spa facility that features a cedar sauna and a steam room.Upon telling my sister I was taking a couple of days to rejuvenate myself she gifted me with a voucher to this stunning establishment. In addition to gaining me entry to the sauna’s I also booked in for a radiance facial. Wednesday happened to be women’s only day so after checking in via the front desk it was clothes off and into the sauna. Over the course of the next hour I hung out in my birthday suit steaming myself and then cooling down in the lounge area. This was on repeat until I was summonsed for my facial. An hour of pure bliss ensued followed by another round of steaming before it was time for me to leave this mecca. Feeling a little light on my feet I stopped in for a fresh OJ and Scone at Bushel and Peck bakeshop for an afternoon pick me up, before continuing my amble back to my tiny house. The remainder of my day was spent lounging around the patio speaking to no-one and doing nothing. It felt liberating to have nowhere to be and have complete control of only myself. For dinner I made the short trek to the Grilled Cheese food van where I enjoyed my gooey delight inside a converted school bus. And then it was back home to the comfort of my sofa and all the glorious offerings of Netflix. THURSDAY | Having seen the hordes of hipsters loitering outside it the previous day, Tin Shed was my breakfast destination on Thursday. Seated at the bar I went with the waiter’s suggestion for my meal and it resulted in being a Mexican breakfast feast of eggs, cheese, salsa and avocado. Precisely the energy food I was going to need ahead of an afternoon of hiking. Meal complete I said a fond farewell to Alberta and my tiny house before heading back over the bridge to collect Ashlea. Reunited our agenda for the day was an excursion out to Multnomah Falls. The highway drive out to the Falls was stunning as the city folded away and the forest and its 50 shades of green came into view. The masses of cars and tourist buses announced our arrival at the falls and after grabbing a car spot we found ourselves standing the base of the roaring waterfall. A nearby sign indicated it was a .4 mile walk up to the bridge and so next thing we were falling in line behind the other tourists to the next milestone. As we snapped our pictures water sprayed up onto the bridge providing a cool break from the heat of the midday sun. Another sign indicated it was 1.5 miles up to the top of the waterfall and so a snap decision was made to head on up to the top. The logic was the .4 up to the bridge had been a breeze, how bad could this be. Bad. Intense. Breath-taking (not in the scenic sense). Limit pushing. Calve splitting. Bad. We had no idea who measured the distance but our expert assessment is this was nothing close to 1.5 miles. The inclines were steep and in long stretches that winded up and around the mountain. We stopped many times to enjoy the view (and catch our breath) but we continued on. A passing group of girls who were descending the mountain told us “we were nowhere near halfway” when we asked how much further. Shortly after them a more positive lady informed us only a few more bends. This enforcement was followed by an old dude that over took us who told us to “keep going, you are almost there”. 45 minutes later, with no water left, our checks a flushed red and our calves aching we stood on the circular platform of the waterfall overlooking the national park and we agreed it had been worth it. We strolled contently back down the hill, smirking at the enthusiasm of those towards the base ascending the hill who didn’t realise the pain that was yet to come. At the base we refueled on kiosk food and a mammoth serving of soft drink before we tool the scenic road back into Portland. Dinner that night was across town with the entire household and Sierra at a Mexican joint called The Goose. We sipped on our margaritas as we informed every one of our triumph from the day. The stellar company made the meal fly by and before long it was time to drive Sierra home and head back to the apartment for a well earnt rest. FRIDAY | Making the most of the home vibe accommodation we spent our final day in Portland relaxing. This involved chilling at home in front of the TV before heading out to Papa Haydn for a long lunch. The afternoon was over in the blink of an eye and just after 5pm we found ourselves at the local bar with Gina, Phil, Julia, Seth, Jamie, Dave and Spencer (Seths mate). Given it was Cinco De Mayo the margaritas flowed freely amongst the group as we caught on the events of everyone’s week. Next stop for Julia, Seth, Spencer, Ash and I was the pearl district to hit up the street party that was happening outside the River Pig ( a bar owned by Julia and Seths mate). In addition to a drink truck the road had also been blocked off for a live band, dance floor and pig racing. Of the next couple of hours, we enjoyed all the entertainment on offer whilst grabbing some dinner and revealing in the margaritas on offer. When the band took a break, Spencer lost a bet to make his way up onto stage and to address the audience. His mission completed, much to our delight, the final item of the agenda before we headed off was a round of porter-loo selfies. Everyone’s bladder relieved and selfies taken we piled into the uber and made our way across town to a house party being thrown by a former sorority sister of Julia. Upon arrival at our destination no one wanted to leave the Uber due to the epic singalong that had erupted throughout our journey. Our final song, sung at the top of our lungs as we pulled up outside the house was Tiny Dancer. A rendition has never been sung with such gusto and enthusiasm. After a quick detour to 7eleven for beverages and bananas we made our way into the house and began to middle with the Sorority and Fratboy crowd. Upon hearing the accent everyone was very welcoming and before I knew it I was making new friends and hitting up the beer pong table. Before long i was being dragged back out into the uber and off to Goodfoot Bar and Lounge, a underground venue that hosts a rocking dancefloor on a Friday night. And over the course of the next couple of hours dance we did. The tunes were none that Ash and I knew but everyone around us sang along and jived with enthusiasm. Throughout the course of our time on the d-floor the rest of the house party turned up to have a boogie with us.
As the clock ticked past midnight stomachs began to rumble and drink effects started to kick in so we made our way upstairs to the lounge and proceed to order 4 plates of different flavoured potato gems. We marvelled at the terrible local art that was for sale on the walls and argued over whether what we were eating was called a potato gem or tatter-tot (no conclusion was reached). And then for the final time that night we were piling into the uber but the night was over and this driving was taking us home to the sanctuary of bed. SATURDAY | Even though we crawled into bed in the early morning everyone was up early on Saturday due to different commitments. So once everyone was showered and dressed farewells were said and promises of returns were made. Then for the first time in 7 days Ash and I returned to the familiar action of lugging our bags down the street and into the car, ready to set off to our next terminus.
0 Comments
|