A Love Letter to Portland, Oregon
You are irreplaceable.
Wherever I went, people told me we would be a match. After 5 years of wandering around, curiosity finally did bring me to you.
I have to be honest, it wasn’t love at first sight.
Three days of exploring you made me see the voodoo donuts, the Multnomah waterfalls and the microbreweries. It gave me despair about homelessness. It left my troubleshooting why it seems so difficult to optimize traffic. It made me wonder why people were so fond of you.
I left you without any reason to believe it’d be back. Ever.
As always, life is full of unexpected twists.
Less than a year, and I was already back.
This time I got to live closer to you and I’ve gotten to know you better. This time it didn’t take long to lose my heart.
Oh Portland, you have so much to offer. So much more than rain, tattoos, Nike vs. Adidas, naked bike-rides and dogs.
You are the city of Myndful Mornings, upper left ladies, and Shejumpers. You can be proud of having mostly voters who know what’s best for the planet. You unlock creativity.
Everything in your vicinity is as spicy and crisp as kimchi.
The Oregon coast is a pure fairytale. One in which I said “Yes, I do” to my partner in crime. One in which powerful waves are combined with magical sunsets and whello’s from visiting whales.
The volcanoes are the welcome weekend outlet, where cosiness and adventure are best friends. It’s impossible to be disappointed with the views from the summit. And the journey to the top is equally pleasing.
Making it all even more unique, you’ve also got the high desert. Sage, monkey face, and Dope the Pope will forever come with a nostalgic smile.
Wherever I am, I’m part of the forest. One little humble piece of nature amongst millions of massive, breathtaking pieces of air-cleaning creatures. No wonder trees are nature’s most successful invention. Wherever you look, they paint the scenery.
You made me redefine my color palette, my love for the endless night sky, and my pinot noir taste buts.
While it’s almost impossible not to be outdoors, sometimes inside simply does sound better.
Well, even here the outside is disguised as Instagram-famous houseplants. The inside filled with awakening coffee-roasting smells, mixed with finger licking nutritional locally-produced foods. Offering a place to ethical and always-a-hit fashion. Housing live music from near and far, with all possible rhythms.
Oh Portland, you are a gem. And that’s greatly magnified thanks to your incredible inhabitants. People that carry the hope of change, that welcome and represent differences, and that won’t settle for less.
You’ve opened the door to find my tribe.
You’ve shown me what defines a home.
You’ve made me believe in living the dream.
Portland, while I love you, I actually haven’t lost my heart at all. It’s never been as present. It has grown every day I spent with you, and your lovely people. My heart has expanded with unforgettable memories, with thankful life lessons, and with gratitude for what’s possible.
Oh, I wish I could take you with me everywhere I go. Unfortunately our love story has to end.
The US Government doesn’t agree with our love. I’m not welcome anymore.
Luckily I do have welcoming family and friends that will fill my aching heart with love again. What would I do without their soothing arms to hold me when I’m lost?
Portland, this is a painful breakup.
However, I will hold on to all the good things you’ve given me. Thank you for the most transformational year of my life. And I promise you that everywhere I go, I will try to infuse a little bit of your Portland-magic.
And to those special people in Portland that has made this love story so incredibly unforgettable, keep pushing for the impossible. You are the best thing that the USA has. You are the evidence that things can be different. And different in your case means better.
I will miss you with all my heart.
I will always love you.
Please never lose your natural beauty and always keep being weird and progressive.
A grateful goodbye, and hopefully until soon.
One day maybe we will all be welcome?
