Advertisement
Published: August 6th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Saturday was our first full day in Portland. We started by going to a record store which sold (almost) exclusively vinyl. I found a rare recording by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan from the Nashville Skyline sessions. I had only heard rumors of these tapes but never knew anything had ever been released (much less on vinyl).
After this we found a Goodwill. Blake was really excited about this as he was hoping to find some nifty used Portland shirts. However we were taken back by the high prices and seemingly “stylish” fashions. We checked out some other vintage clothing stores but had no luck.
We then spent the rest of the day figuring out the rail system and exploring the different districts downtown. The city is split up in to several unique areas, each with their own cultural atmosphere. They include the following:
The Pearl District. This is a very new and very trendy neighborhood comprised of aesthetically interesting mixed use buildings. Similar to what the gulch will be one day.
Old Town: This is mostly renovated warehouses which now house quirky coffee shops and some of the hottest venues for the northwest punk movement.
Photo 3
Blake's horse fights my leftovers. China Town: Surrounded by a Chinese garden are several shops selling Chinese trinkets and oriental markets.
Nob Hill: Is a neighborhood which has been restored with various restaurants and boutiques popular with stay-at-home soccer moms.
Central Business District: This is where we are staying. It is mostly office buildings with local and chain restaurants squeezed in between. It is anchored by Pioneer Square, a common ground for business folk to eat lunch outside. Popular in the summer for outdoor movies or concerts.
University District: Home to Portland State University, a large Hospital, and the people that live and work there.
After figuring all of this out we decided to venture to find somewhere to eat. I had remembered a place called the Lloyd Center as I was coming in from the airport. I decided to take the train back across the river and explore this a bit. Our first stop after crossing the Willamette was the convention center. I decided to jump off and Blake reluctantly followed. Since Nashville is currently fighting its own convention center battles I figured it would be a good opportunity to see how Portland had done theirs. We took some photos
wondered around the center to see it from every angle. As we were walking some conventioneers came out sharing a common quest of finding a good place to eat. Mistaking us as locals I proudly directed them to the Lloyd Center. They gave me a puzzling look and went on their way.
Blake finally convinced me to leave the convention center alone and continue on to the mysterious Lloyd Center. As we approached I began to question my original perception. Despite the seemingly buzz of yesterday, the center appeared quiet and dead at 7:30. However we continued on and found not the plethora of restaurants and activities that I imagined but a large parking garage and signs pointing us underground. As we walked through the cars and into the doors we realized the Lloyd center was nothing more than a shopping mall. Instead of turning back we decided to give it a chance and hoped to find something more then the typical food court.
Now since we landed Blake had been trying to recall the name of a Mexican restaurant that our Brother-in-Law recommended from his childhood days in Portland. All he could remember was that it had
Taco in the name. I jokingly told him it was probably Taco Bell. He adamantly tried to convince me that it was not a fast food chain , but a very good restaurant native to the Northwest.
As we climbed the escalator to the second floor much to our wondering eyes did appear “Taco Time” in golden neon glory. Reading the menu was much like the menu we’ve all come to love from a similar fast food giant back home. However I was excited to see crisp burritos as their special which looked eerily similar to the deep fried mystery meat served every friday at my high school. After a humorous encounter with the teenage cashier Blake got his 2 lbs of taco meat and I got my skinny chicken burrito.
Instead of promptly leaving we decided to have ourselves a look around. As we were reminiscing about whole experience we wondered onto an ice rink! There in the open were tens of small kids all skating around in a full size ice rink in the middle of the mall. We could hardly believe it. (Despite my strongest efforts I could not convince Blake to lace up).
(Below is a semi-political rant feel free to read but consider yourself warned…)
__________________________________________________________________________________
Back outside I looked around the neighborhood and was quite surprised how the whole area reminded me of the proposed Mae Town Center that is currently being promoted in the Bells Bend Farm near downtown Nashville. This development may seem promising from a strictly short-term financial stand point but if the Lloyd center is any indication than I’m afraid it will only be a proverbial black eye on the city. The office buildings may be functional and filled, however they lack any individual character. Having been built at the same time, they were probably designed by one firm at the lowest cost. They fill-up everyday but become completely abandoned as their inhabitants return to the suburbs at 5:00. The convention center and sports arena sit comfortably at the edge of the development, so tourists and out-of-towners are most likely left with a poor impression of a terrific city which has much more to offer than convenience and functionality.
In my opinion, downtown should stay downtown. Allow buildings to grow organically, as needed, not in one massive development (and defiantly avoid “build it
and they will come” mentality). While chain stores may be necessary, don’t put them in front of the convention center or sports arena. Put the best foot forward allow your guests to experience what the city has become known for. Allow local flavor to permeate the prime spots. If Nashville wants to be a destination city then make it a place to experience life in a way unlike anywhere else. I applaud the airport additions of Tootsies, live music stages, and southern hospitality of musician greetings. I support the mayor’s vision to embrace the “Music City” brand, and brining live music back to the commons. I’m not against development I just hope we take our time and research other cities which have come before us and study what works and what could have been better.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Blake and I have had many more adventures which I will post shortly. Including a random trip to the zoo, hiking in Mt. Hood, attending a church service in south east Portland, and feeding a scorpion to the homeless.
--Thanks for reading.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.183s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 8; qc: 47; dbt: 0.0498s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb