― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Although Singapore certainly has its own magic, it is sometimes hard for this expat to think about having moved away from one of America's best cities. But rather than pitching myself off a bridge like Jimmy Stewart in Its a Wonderful Life, I will follow the advice of Julie Andrews in that other holiday classic,The Sound of Music, and cheer myself with a recitation of a few of my favorite (Portland) things:
- The Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, Willamette Valley vineyards, the Pacific coast and the Oregon high desert are all within a two-hour drive or less.
- An DIY economy that relies on industries such as bicycle frame building, craft brewing and distilling and the manufacturing of coffee and tea (Smith Tea, especially: http://www.smithtea.com/).
- A variety of museums, concert venues, literary readings, lecture series, film and art festivals, multicultural celebrations, art galleries, and performance arts - especially dance performances at da Vinci Arts Middle School (long live dance teachers Claire and Kristen!).
- Pedestrian friendly 200' x 200' blocks.
- A “platinum” rating by the League of American Bicyclists – its highest award - and a #1 bike-friendly city rating by Bicycling magazine.
- The MLS Portland Timbers soccer club.
- McMenamin's Kennedy School (http://www.mcmenamins.com/KennedySchool).
I could go on, but will instead leave you with some images from my recent visitation. Enjoy - I sure did.