Day 24-
We arrived late last night in Portland, welcomed to our first couchsurfing experience. We had no idea where we would stay in this city. Luckily Daniella had accepted to host us in her spare room. She welcomed us with her boyfriend Noah. We watched "Captain Phillips" on her laptop on the porch.
The next day she invited us to a free yoga class and offered to show us around Portland. We went to 10th & Adler to get lunch from the food trucks. Food trucks in all directions! It was a sight to behold. I decided to get the Baby Cheezus from The Grilled Cheese Grill. I don't know why i never made a grilled cheese burger before. It was a grilled cheese with a burger, lettuce, and tomato. it made me happy.
We got lost in Powell's Books and spent a lot of time at Buffalo Exchange. I found a summer dress and some sea green pants that matched my hair color. I received the most complements for my hair in Portland. It was interesting to notice.
We returned to Daniella's and rested before going out that night. We went to Lardo for dinner. They had amazingly delicious pulled pork sandwiches. I had the Korean Pork Shoulder and it gave me the greatest food buzz. We were also drinking that night. After dinner, we went to Crush Bar and crashed a transvestite dance party. Good drinks and fun music, we continued the party at their home when we found her housemate still awake. We stayed up on the porch sharing and making more memories.
Day 25-
We woke up hungover the next morning. Daniella was expecting a Swedish couple to couchsurf. I had connected with a friend of a friend who invited me to a samba class. I went to samba while the group hiked to the Saturday Market.
I did not know what to expect when I arrived at Ankeny Street Studio. Pauline led a very technical samba no pe class. She helped refine some of my movement. The second half of the class focused on a routine that they were rehearsing. I was so lost. I really liked their choreography. It inspired me to keep learning and dancing.
After samba, I was given a ride to the waterfront to meet up with the group. They were still on their way so Greta gave me a tour of the bridges before dropping me off at Voodoo Donuts. I stood in line as the group walked over. In line, I won a t-shirt when I correctly named the Bacon Maple Bar Donut in a round of "Name That Donut!" By the time the group arrived, 45 min later, I was close to the entrance and we could order our donuts. Christina and I got a box: Mango Tango, Mexican Hot Chocolate, No Name, Bacon Maple Bar, and we sampled the Portland Cream too.
We sat in the shade on the grass near the waterfront to enjoy the voodoo. We wandered through the Portland Saturday Market before parting ways for the afternoon. They went to another market while we wandered and discovered Stumptown Coffee and the Lan Su Chinese Garden. We relaxed on the couch at Stumptown listening to Mac Demarco and Girls. In the Garden, we strolled and relaxed in the beauty of it all. We tried to forget the ugly buildings and loud music beyond the walls.
We refueled with some gyros from a food truck before hiking back to Daniella's house. they had a BBQ for dinner, we brought them beer and socialized. I played with my LED hoop in the dark. We slept on her couch that night. We were thankful that she let us stay an extra night.
Day 26-
We woke up early on Sunday morning to hike Multnomah Falls. It was exhausting. There were a lot of switchbacks. It felt simple but it was really high in elevation. It was beautiful.
We drove back to meet with the group to watch the world cup final. That didn't quite work out. I was happy the world cup was over. Germany won. Argentina lost. It was a long game.
We drove south after the world cup and drove to Crater Lake. We stayed to watch the sunset and to watch the full red moon rise from the edge of the crater. It was a magical experience. We drove through the night to arrive in San Francisco the next morning.
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