Portland: Rain, Regret, and Really Good Coffee

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm espresso right now. 4942807 and 1840000409… honestly, those numbers just keep swirling around in my head like a bad dream. the air pressure is 1015, humidity’s clinging to me like a damp towel - 89% - and it’s sitting at 1012 at ground level. feels like 6.55, temp-wise, peaking at 7.15. it’s…there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. portland. it’s a weird one, you know? like, aggressively chill but also perpetually drizzly.

I landed yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stumbled into a Wes Anderson film directed by a slightly depressed pigeon. the vibe is… layered. there’s this whole ‘indie’ thing going on, obviously, but it’s not just flannel and beards. it’s like, a carefully curated sadness mixed with a surprising amount of craft beer and vegan donuts. i’m talking about the kind of sadness that makes you want to write a poem about a lost sock.

Spent the morning wandering around Mississippi Avenue. it’s packed, but in a way that doesn’t feel frantic. more like a slow, deliberate shuffle of people looking for vintage band tees and obscure records. i found this amazing little shop called ‘Dusty Grooves’ - someone told me that they have a whole back room dedicated to 80s synth-pop. i’m serious. i need to go back.

Then, i stumbled upon a food cart pod near Pioneer Square. seriously, there are like, a hundred of them. i got this incredible Korean BBQ taco - spicy, sweet, and slightly unsettling. it was… good. really good. i overheard a guy arguing with the vendor about the proper way to eat a kimchi pancake. it was a whole thing.

Speaking of things, i’m trying to document everything. my gear list is a disaster. it’s basically a black hole of cables and lenses. here’s the breakdown:
Camera (obviously) - a battered Canon 5D Mark IV. it’s seen things.
Lenses: 24-70mm, 70-200mm, and a ridiculously wide-angle thing i don’t even remember buying.
Extra batteries (like, a whole suitcase full).
SD cards (you’d be surprised how many you need).
Rain cover (essential, duh).
Notebook and pen (for capturing fleeting thoughts before they vanish).
Coffee (see above).

I checked out Powell’s City of Books. it’s insane. like, a bookstore that’s basically a small city. i got lost for a solid hour and emerged with three books and a vague sense of existential dread.

Someone told me that the best place to see street art is in the Alberta Arts District. i’m planning on heading there tomorrow. i heard that the murals are constantly changing, so it’s like a living, breathing gallery.

I’m staying in a tiny Airbnb in the Hawthorne neighborhood. it’s…cozy. let’s go with cozy. it’s got this weird, slightly unsettling vibe, but in a charming way. if you get bored, Seattle is just a short drive away.

selective focus photography of green plant

Seriously, the rain. it’s relentless. it’s like the city is perpetually weeping. but you know what? it’s kind of beautiful. it washes everything clean. and it makes the coffee taste even better. i need to find a decent coffee shop. i’m on the hunt for the perfect pour-over. i’m talking about a place with a serious commitment to beans and a barista who actually cares. i’m thinking Coava Coffee Roasters.

I’m exhausted. my feet hurt. i’m pretty sure i’ve consumed enough caffeine to power a small city. but i’m also…happy. weirdly happy. portland is a mess, but it’s my* mess.

Check out this local board for events: https://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/events/
And for some great food recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/map/portland-oregon-restaurants
And of course, you can't miss TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g33999-Portland_Oregon-Vacations.html

Okay, gotta go. i think i hear the rain calling my name.

Portland: Rain, Regret, and Really Good Coffee

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About the author: Arthur Webb

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