Sorry for the delay in posting, but Portland and my commitments ate me alive.  I’m back now in Skofja Loka, Slovenia with my wife and couldn’t be happier. Since I’m now living in Skofja Loka, I had to return to America for a major house clearing.  I had to  sell everything I own, tools, vehicles, household goods, art, basically a lifetime of possessions.  It’s one thing to have an Estate Sale after you’ve passed away but it’s another thing-if your still alive and watching your life go out the door. But it’s more than the stuff I’m parting with, it’s goodbye Portland and  goodbye friends.  The next several blog posts will be about all of these things.  There has been some laughing, some crying but no regrets. I’ve lived in Portland Oregon for 35 years, had several business’s, volunteered a lot, organized community events, was involved in a political campaign so my network was large and I was well connected in the community (maybe not always well liked?) In this blog I’ll be looking at Portland’s  uniqueness & quirkiness.  If you live in America, you probably move to Portland. My move to Skofja Loka enabled me to live the life that  Portland yearns to be.   I just don’t have the 20 years to wait for Portland to actually close it’s first street to cars.  I now have: a car-free walk able town square., bike friendliness, 3 days a week farmers market, great bus & train opportunities and I have them today. Oh yea and a super wife too! I’m living the dream here in Skofja Loka, Slovenia.

PORTLAND SCENES 

Portland is a clash of values, there’s healthy local food  then there’s VOODOO DONUTS.  This is a must visit when you come to Portland, if anything just to see how many people line up for their doughnuts (don’t forget it’s deep fried sugar).

Marijuana was made legal in Oregon while I was there.  For years “Medical” Marijuana had been available with a “medical” card.

                      There must be a lot of sick people in Portland, there are “clinics” everywhere.

                                                                                                                                                               Portland is also known for it’s love of Cats and Dogs, Portland has the most animals per person than anywhere in America.

Portland’s Food Carts are world renowned and hugely popular.  It offers an opportunity to nearly anyone with the imitative, to start their own business.  The variety of world taste is more than you can imagine.  This is a part of Portland I’ll miss, though somewhat unfair to brick and mortar restaurants, who must provide amenities like handicap bathrooms.

One food cart I discovered this time was Rahel’s Ethiopian Food.

The food cart pod , CARTLANDIA is just off the Springwater Bike Trail offers a huge selection of international food.  My new favorite and a must visit if your in Portland is RAHEL’S ETHIOPIAN FOOD.  It can be as spicy and as vegetarian as you like or add some lamb or chicken.  I had the lamb and it was very good and tender too.

Gang violence has been erupting all over Portland, but mostly in the North and Northeast.  The Alberta Last Thursday Art event had a shooting last month, but since I’m leaving soon I thought I would take a chance at having one last look before I leave.

Thanks for letting me share some of Portland’s uniqueness and quirkiness.  There really is only one city in America like Portland and it’s definitely Portland.
Were just weeks away from opening our own AIR B & B apartment in the old town of Skofja Loka.  Mark your calendars for a visit.
Until Next time,
Jeff

Next blog?  Portland’s incredible Bike Scene