Portland #3

The principal exhibit at the Portland Art Museum was of the Exposition Universelle, the 1900 Paris Exhibition, a worlds fair that served to celebrate the accomplishments of the past century as well as pave the way for development in the new century.  It was also intended as a showcase for France's burgeoning power in Europe.  Of particular note to me was the prominent role played by bicycles.

And a few other objects that caught my eye in this most strangely laid out museum.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Portland largely by virtue of having great hosts:  Cynthia and Ed and Lily.   With their excellent tour guiding services, I think I got to see the best of Portland

Portland continued

One afternoon Lily took me on a walk to Washington Park where we explored the Japanese gardens. 

 This is a 500yr old tree.

Portland is know as the Rose City and these rose gardens are emblematic.

 

 

Portland Summer 2019

For a long while I've wanted to spend a little time in Portland to explore and get to know the city.  You hear so much about it, how progressive it is; good transit and bicycle infrastructure and a lot of outdoor recreation opportunities.  Aside from the draw of the city itself, I have ample incentives to visit now:  my granddaughter, Lily, is going to university there; a beloved cousin, Cynthia, and her partner, Ed, live there; and my daughter lives just 60mi east up the Columbia River Gorge. So last summer I flew to Portland and spent a delightful week exploring with Lily and Cynthia and Ed.  

Lily lives in the Nob Hill area, a gentrified neighbourhood with lots of restaurants, cafes and bars.  Here we are having lunch at the legendary Ken's Bakery.  

 

The historic homes in this upscale old neighbourhood

 

 

 A gathering of corgis

On Lily's campus at Portland State University

A hike in one of the nice urban forests.  Historically, Portland has had the vision to preserve big swaths of nature for public use.  This is one such piece of property, Washington Park, a short walk from Lily's place, 420acres with zoo, rose gardens, Japanese gardens, arboretum, children's museum, playgrounds, outdoor art and more.  

 

Cynthia and Ed are very active, outdoorsy folks and so we did a hike in Forest Park, one of the biggest urban parks in the US covering 5200 acres with 80 miles of trails.

 And we did some biking

Cynthia at the train station

Crossing the Willamette River to rendezvous with Charlotte, Ryan, Lucien and Cynthia at a taco place.

More Portland to come

Last try

I've tried something different and will attempt to post the last DF missive one more time.  Please let me know if there are still problems with pictures.

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This brings us to the end of DF 2020.  It was another very enjoyable time in the monster city though it was cut a bit short.  I'm hoping to return but, for now, we are facing an unknown future.  It's a new world.

Here are a few random photos that didn't find their way into earlier posts.

At the Museum of Archival photography, a regular stop of mine, was an outstanding exhibit of photographs by Lorenzo Armendáriz, of gypsies from all over the world and, surprising to me, a lot from Mexico.  I guess there is a large contingent of gypsies in northern Mexico.  

This was erected at the Womens Day March to raise awareness of the high rate of feminicide in Mexico. 

Maybe the best example I've seen of a flowering maguey cactus.

The tamale vendor.  It's usually a night time thing but maybe with fewer people out and about, they're forced to work longer hours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=6Zc0FcZ7izQ&feature=emb_logo

The gas vendors - many people still use propane for cooking and hot water heaters and so these guys still drive through the residential streets calling out their service.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=cDj0reFZExw&feature=emb_logo

Hot shot yo yo artists

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=uJ4Rd69B_dE&feature=emb_logo

 Out with my friend, Japp, enjoying tasty vegan tacos.

 I'm going to miss these beautiful jacaranda trees.

 And I'll miss all of these wonderful people who brightened my time in Mexico City. 

DF 2020 - The end again #2

Apparently the photos are still not coming through to everyone so, one more time.  If you've been getting the photos, just ignore this.
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This brings us to the end of DF 2020.  It was another very enjoyable time in the monster city though it was cut a bit short.  I'm hoping to return but, for now, we all are facing an unknown future.  It's a new world.  

Here are a few random photos that didn't find their way into earlier posts.

At the Museum of Archival photography, a regular stop of mine, was an outstanding exhibit of photographs by Lorenzo Armendáriz, of gypsies from all over the world and, surprising to me, a lot from Mexico.  I guess there is a large contingent of gypsies in northern Mexico.

This was erected at the Womens Day march to raise awareness of the high rate of feminicide in Mexico

Maybe the best example I've seen of a flowering maguey cactus

The tamale vendor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=6Zc0FcZ7izQ&feature=emb_logo

Hot shot yo yo artists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=uJ4Rd69B_dE&feature=emb_logo 

 Out with my friend, Jaap, enjoying tasty vegan tacos.

 I'll miss these beautiful jacaranda trees

 And I'll miss all of these wonderful people who brightened my time in Mexico City.