I arrived in Portland from a very hot San Diego and much to my surprise it was pretty hot here too….looks like I caught all the little heat waves here on the west!!

So arriving at hostel….WOW!! its not like any other hostel I have stayed in, its like an old style American House made into a hostel with lots of little bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms….its like something you see in a film….now let me say some people on my facebook have been trying to freak me out (cos I put a pic of the hostel on there) saying it looks like something from a Horror Movie…listen LOSERS (haha) you will have to try harder than that!!

First day here (well I arrived at 630pm) I unpacked and luckily for my greedy ass….I arrived just as they were serving some food for $3!! SCORE!! I stuffed my face with some pasta and peach cobbler and planned the next days adventures.

So it is lovely and warm and I am ready to explore Portland! Today was a half day tour around Portland….and WOW it was amazing, I was the only 1 on the tour…sorry aba me, but I am impressed they still ran it (good trip advisor review coming your way)….I learnt all about Portland and its history and I tell you what its a pretty impressive place (YEHH you listening Cameron….you could learn a thing or 2 you bulb) They are very big on Health and Fitness….they have designated bike lanes/bike parking on most roads….its very cool to see!! Plus they have their own water supply (which is very soft) - the city is pretty ahead of its game, but then it doesn't take a lot to be ahead of the UK…but Portland is rocking it!!!

The hostel itself is lovely, but the people staying here…not so much!! Seriously has everyone got a mute button they have pressed that means a smile is all they can manage!! Jeeeezzzzz……it doesn't hurt to talk ya know. And sometimes its like being in a big old house on ya own!!!

The above statement is weird because the people actually in Portland are soooo friendly. Everyone has a Good Morning and a Hello for you and it really brightens your day and restores faith in humanity…..I proper love it, as cheesy as it may be, I am revelling in all this niceness…so people of Liverpool STEP YOUR GAME UP…either that or if you see me run a mile cos I will prob say hello (eeekkk heres the mad one)

Next day I am off exploring and OMG I walked the legs off myself…but ended up on 23rd Avenue, and its really something else…full of boutiques, shops, cafes, eateries….and all full of culture and lots of different varieties. I went to an Ice Cream shop here that was highly recommended and I was not disappointment…all locally made ice cream and weird and wonderful flavours…I had Mint Leaves and Sea Urchin with Sea Salt and Caramel Ribbons…..I Sh*t you not!!! I know it sounds mental but it was unreal! "Salt and Straw" go check it out!!!

Not had long in Portland, but it really captured something in me…its not a big commercialised place (like some of the other places Ive visited) - you see a lot of nice real America, the houses, the people and the community spirit….people just going along their daily lives, lots of local businesses and not many big firms!!!

Portland I must say you are pretty unique…..

Thanks for the short but sweet visit but of course Seattle is calling

Jen x