Portland, P. I., Day One
I flew away before dawn and was able to see the sun rise over the wing of an American Airlines jet. Breathtaking. Bless Caitlan for getting me to the airport at that early hour.
Note to self: When traveling alone, always check a bag.
Note to self 2: When not checking a bag, make sure your carry-on has wheels.
Landed in Dallas for a quick plane change and then on to Portland to see Brendan and Kara.
Snapshot #1: Elderly gentleman meeting someone for the first time at the boarding gate and saying, “How do you do? So pleased to meet you.” No one says “How do you do?” any more.
Note to self: Vow to say “How do you do?” more.
Snapshot #2: Middle age-ish couple standing in line at boarding gate doing USA TODAY crossword puzzle together while waiting.
I sat with a lady from Klamath Falls on the first flight. She was flying into Reno and driving. I know I’ve heard of Klamath Falls, but I don’t know where. According to her, it is remote. I can relate. In the big scheme of things. Well, at least in the USA scheme of things.
On the second flight I sat with a young man who has followed his girlfriend to Portland from California. A musician. He said he’s learning to like Portland very much.
Brendan and Kara met me at the point where I exited security. I don’t know why, but they didn’t check my little plastic bag of 3-oz. bottles in Louisville. They brought me to their very cute apartment (condo). I got a tour of downtown, especially Ladd’s Addition which had random island of roses that make roundabouts. We went to Mass there at St. Phillip Neri Church, but we were a little late because the church we thought we were going to turned out to be a Maronite rite church that did not have a Saturday night Mass. We ate at food carts (it is purported that there are over 400 in Portland). I had a chicken potpie whiffie (fried pie). I also shared Brendan’s pear/walnut/gorgonzola crepe and Kara’s poutine (gravy) covered fries with cheese curds. They had tickets to the taping of a radio broadcast LIVE WIRE at the historic Aladdin theatre. It was so fun. David Rakoff and Paul Provenza were guests. What a thrill since I have known them only as voices on the radio! Also some interesting female musician guests, an on-the-spot poet, and a haiku contest that none of us won. Exhausted, but very happy, I fell asleep on their couch.