Glimpse of Portland Oregon

I  went to Portland. Oregon for a technical conference from Monday to Thursday this week.

As my plane was landing last Saturday morning, I noticed the colors of the foliage despite the gloomy sky.

I walked to river front parks on the west bank of  Willamette River in the light rain, after checking in to my hotel.  The foliage amazed me...bright, colorful, along streets, by the water front. A large flock of geeses were foraging in the lawn, gulls lazily spread around. 

As the Willamette River divided Portland into two parts, west, and east. There are many bridges over the river, somewhat similar to Pittsburgh. As one can tell from the bridges and buildings, Portland is an old city. In fact, it was incorporated in 1751, 173 years ago. 

pedestrian bridge at river level 

the green towers are where the Oregon Convention center is

the sky turned sunny, briefly on my last day at Portland 

Portland art museum is only 0.2 miles away from the hotel I stayed. I didn't get time to visit it, but did see murals in the streets, and even in hotel rooms. There are a few sculptures outside and inside the Convention center.

Sculpture in front of the Convention Center 

decorations inside the Convention center 

the sister bell

a swing 

a dragon boat

street mural 

paintings in the guest room

sculptures in the water front park

The streets are narrow,  parking is expensive, and the public transportation is pretty good. Frequent buses cover the whole downturn area well. The bus toll is quite expensive though, $2.8 dollar for 1.4 miles. I actually rode on the buses a few times, using the bus pass issued by the conference. 

The sad thing about this city, is the sizable homeless population.  I saw many at river front parks, and on some streets. I could smell Marijuana in many public places, such as elevators in the hotel, in streets ... not a surprise because it is legal to consume Marijuana in Oregon. For the time I was at Portland,  and the places I visited around downtown, I didn't feel unsafe,