Sheilaclapkin's Blog;

Welcome to Portland: Room with a view.

All you have to do is show up in Portland, drop off your backpack and you start having fun. We walked the Waterfront and ended up at the Saturday market on Sunday.  What I enjoyed about this marketplace is that it is a throw back to my good old days. Proof of handcrafted art still exist showing glass blowing pieces, pottery with designs made from leaves from the garden pressed into the wet clay, many booths are filled with hand crafted jewelry, garden hangings, shawls, sweaters, baby clothes, vintage items, wooden bowls, and nearly antiques. Food and drink galore is for your pleasure and there are many and varied offerings.

Next, still on foot, we discovered the Lan Su Gardens in Chinatown.

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The Lan Su Gardens are the most authentic and beautiful Chinese gardens outside of China in my humble opinion. We took our time enjoying the serenity and tranquility of the reflection pools, roamed the paneled rooms and enjoyed the surroundings of the Scholar’s Courtyard as we sat in large comfortable hand carved chairs directly from China.  The experience was reflective and deeply gratifying.  We donated generously and as we left we noticed people buying tickets.  We must have gone into the garden through the wrong door because ticket buying did not exist at the door we entered. I am glad we were generous regarding our donation into their donation box.

We felt comfortable walking so far and for so long because we discussed taking a cab back. I kept looking for a taxi just to assure myself they would be easy to hail. No, silly this is not New York, this is Portland where you do not hail cabs you call for them. These are Radio Cabs and you call a special number and tell them where you are located. Okay. We continued walking. A train came; we had no idea how to purchase a ticket from the multifaceted box, so we just hopped onto the bus with a dollar in our hands if needed. A very beautiful woman got up and gave me her seat. Either she was taught to be polite to old people or I looked like a specimen of near death. Bus rides in the city are free.

Speaking about old people, well, where are they in Portland?  I asked a young man where I might see an older person and he put his finger across his neck as in slitting his throat, making a guttural sound said, “ Killed ‘em all.”

Voodoo Doughnuts

There are famous or shall we call them, infamous Voodoo doughnuts in Portland and they say the magic is in the hole. I don’t think so.  There are tons of decorations on each donut and it is said that long, long ago, the decorations were laced with Dramamine, and muscle relaxants.  The donuts actually made you feel good and sleep well.  True or not, in present day talk, they say the hype is just a myth. Perhaps it is hype; perhaps a myth, but look at the lines to buy these hypes or myths regarding the feel good donuts.

I was told by so many people to look for Portland’s famous vintage clothing stores and their equally famous food carts.  I imagined a vintage store on every street corner and a huge lot full of food carts.  It did not happen like that at all.  The food carts are plugged into little vacant spots, two or three in a plug.  Vintage stores are plentiful, but you must be diligent in your searches to find them. Food carts are plentiful.

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Sorry about the blur…shot on the fly!

A very special, extra special event, was meeting and getting to know Clarke’s lovely wife Linda.  Who is Clarke and who is Linda and what makes them so special to me?  You are about to find out.  Clarke was my special, most loved friend from the time I was 3 or 4 until I was 6 or 7. Clarke and his family moved away one day, never to return.  I sat on the curb in front of his house and cried for days. I could not understand the divesting pain and loss so crying was a way out. I recovered, but not totally.  It was so hard to give my heart again, but time and circumstances allow you a window into trust and love again.

Linda picked us up for a mystery ride that wound around the beauty of Portland and ended at Clarke’s gravesite. We spent some time at the site talking, hoping Clarke heard us and knew that we were there for him. I am wondering how to express so many feelings in words, so please imagine meeting your friend after living your life in your world and he in his for 67 years. Clarke, I salute you for spending your life educating yourself, gaining world-wide knowledge and giving it all back in service to your country. Thank you dear friend. I appreciate the knowledge of you that dear Linda has shared. Thank you to special and exceptional, Linda.  You are delightful and one the perks of Portland. You are family indeed.