Portland Rain & Rusty Dreams
okay, so, portland. i’m pretty sure i’ve aged five years in the last 72 hours. my sleep schedule is currently a Jackson Pollock painting - splattered with caffeine and regret. the humidity is clinging to everything like a damp wool blanket, and it’s…there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure’s at 1017, which is basically the same as my blood pressure after a double espresso and a particularly intense drum solo. i’m writing this from a tiny, slightly sticky hostel room, fueled by stale bagels and the desperate need to document something, anything, before i completely lose it.
I landed yesterday, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a slightly melancholic indie film. the rain is relentless, a constant, grey soundtrack to the city. it’s not depressing, though. it’s…atmospheric. like a really, really long sigh. i spent the first few hours just wandering, mostly because i couldn’t find a decent coffee shop that didn’t require a PhD in bean origins. found one eventually - “The Daily Grind” - and it was solid.
I’m here chasing the vibe, you know? the weird, wonderful, slightly-off-kilter vibe that portland seems to radiate. it’s a city of tattoos, vintage shops overflowing with questionable garments, and people who genuinely seem to enjoy wearing flannel in July. i’m trying to capture that in photos, but it’s proving…challenging. my camera roll is currently a chaotic collage of rain-soaked streets and blurry faces.
Let’s talk gear, because a touring session drummer needs to be prepared. Seriously.
My Ride: A beat-up Subaru Outback named ‘Rusty’ - she’s seen better days, but she gets the job done. (Seriously, she smells faintly of patchouli and disappointment.)
*Drums: My trusty Pearl Export kit. Can’t live without ‘em. (And a whole lot of sticks.)
*Camera: Sony Alpha 7 III - gotta get those shots, right? (Plus extra batteries. Always extra batteries.)
*Notebook & Pen: For capturing all the chaotic thoughts. (And sketching out drum patterns.)
*Rain Gear: Obvious, but crucial. Like, really crucial. (A waterproof jacket and boots are non-negotiable.)
*Earplugs: Because, you know, drums.
I overheard some drunk advice at the hostel bar last night - someone told me that the best way to experience portland is to just get lost. Seriously. Just wander around and see what happens. It’s probably true.
Speaking of getting lost, I stumbled upon this amazing little record store called “Vinyl Vortex.” It’s crammed to the rafters with records, and the owner, a guy named Silas, has the most incredible collection of obscure 70s funk. He was rambling on about the history of soul music for a solid hour, and I was completely captivated.
I also checked out Powell’s City of Books. It’s…an experience. Like, a massive experience. You could spend a week there and still not read everything. I grabbed a copy of “Infinite Jest” - because, why not?
If you get bored, Eugene is just a short drive away. Apparently, they have a really impressive botanical garden. I’m not a botanist, but I appreciate a good flower.
I heard that the food carts here are legendary. I’ve been mostly sticking to bagels and coffee, but I’m determined to try some authentic portland cuisine soon. I’m thinking of checking out Nong’s Khao Man Gai - apparently, it’s the best chicken and rice in the city.
Someone told me to check out Mississippi Studios for live music. Apparently, they have a killer lineup of local bands. It’s a bit of a dive, but that’s part of the charm, right?
And then there’s the rain. It’s everywhere. It’s in the gutters, it’s on the sidewalks, it’s even in my hair. I just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. It’s actually kind of beautiful, in a gloomy, cinematic way.
I’m starting to feel like a character in a Wes Anderson film - slightly out of place, a little bit lost, and definitely fueled by caffeine. I’m going to keep exploring, keep shooting, and keep documenting this chaotic, wonderful mess.
Here are a few links for further exploration:
TripAdvisor - Portland
Yelp - Portland Restaurants
Local Music Board
Seriously, go. Just go. And bring an umbrella. And maybe a really good coffee maker.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/studying-in-santiago-del-estero-what-the-locals-wont-tell-you
- https://votoris.com/post/ccuta-chaos-my-messy-adventure
- https://votoris.com/post/cologne-you-weird-little-place-and-my-damp-socks
- https://votoris.com/post/kochi-chaos-a-nomads-messy-diary
- https://votoris.com/post/local-etiquette-and-traditions-how-not-to-offend-people-in-akure-4