We have been back in the States for almost a week. Most moments, it feels as though we never left. I am beginning to think more and more, the Northwest is home. It just feels...right.
Conor and I landed in LA last Friday after a 13 hour flight from Brisbane. We managed to pack almost all of our belongings into four large suitcases and two, fairly heavy, carry-on bags. We left one bag (only one!) in Brisbane with our good friends Pete and Kirsty. They will watch over our camping gear for the next year, or until someone we know makes a trip to Brisbane and back.
From LA we flew north to Portland and have settled in at the Marriot down-town. Portland is probably one of my favourite places on Earth.
1. Beautiful city views of the mountains and green hills
2 Amazing coffee, beer and food
3. Efficient public transportation (and several transport options!)
4. Walk-able, pedestrian friendly city streets (and awesome grid-layout)
5. Friendly, low-maintenance people (for the most part)
6. Fabulous music and art scene - cheap shows and exhibits
7. Powell's mega-store!
8. This list goes on and on...
After living in Brisbane for a year and a half, Conor and I have realised just how much we took some aspects of daily PDX life for granted. Although we started walking much more when we moved to Portland three years ago, Brisbane taught us very quickly that walking was the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B. In the past few days we have walked distances in Portland that we would have avoided just over a year ago. A mile in the morning for a good cup of coffee? Sure! 30 blocks rather than waiting for the bus? Why not?! Portland (perhaps the States) has also reminded us that it's okay to talk to strangers - offer assistance, smile, compliment, etc. It is fabulous to be in a city where people hold their heads a bit higher when walking down the street and make eye-contact in passing.
Since our arrival we have been lucky enough to meet up with several good friends. Coming home to good friends makes the time spent apart seem non-existent. We have had breakfast, dinner, and beers at a handful of our favourite places with some pretty amazing people. We even ventured out to pub-quiz trivia last night and won a few dollars (enough to cover our dinner and beers) - just like old times!
We depart for Baltimore on Sunday afternoon. Our time here is just not enough. But then again, it never is. We are looking forward to seeing our friends and family on the east coast and reuniting with our little pooch, Bella, next week. A new adventure awaits us in Baltimore!
