First Stop - Portland

So after a years worth of contemplation, false starts, and indecisiveness, I'm finally off.  Where I'll end up I do not know.  I just know that my journeys have finally begun.  I'm not sure why Portland ended up being my starting point.  It was a combination for my love of the northwest, good wwoofing options, and meeting my friend Eva in a viable point. Whatever the reason was, I'm glad it ended up being Portland.

I don't know if its the euphoria of starting a new adventure, the need to calm my own fears about my decisions or maybe just reality, but Portland has exceeded my wildest expectations.  There have been two amazing aspects to Portland; 1) the healthy, back to nature, lifestyle and 2) the culture and people.  I was expecting the former, but the latter came as a big surprise.  There is a really diverse community where you can always find something to your liking.  Its no New York or San Francisco, but I put it ahead of pretty much every other city I've been to in that category.

I was extremely fortunate that I got to stay with A and T (T, no disrespect to putting you second.  Its just that the other way around would be a little disconcerting).  They really got me into the Portland vibe.  I had a great time with them.  'A' brought us (my friend Eva, who is going to be part of my adventures the first few months, and I) to Last Thursdays.  It really showed off the weird side of Portland (for some reason Portland prides itself on being weird). 

After that, I got to stay with U.  Not only did I have a great time, but I feel like it was a great segue into the wwoofing world.  U lived in an apartment complex that was developing its grounds into permaculture gardens.  While I was waiting for U to show up the first day, her neighbor pulled up with a cartload of horseshit and asked if I can help him shovel it.  I got to help a couple of times with their gardens.  Not only did it give me wicked tan lines (I feel like I look like what a yin and yang would look like if you were staring at it while high), but I started to learn the basics of gardening.  

So far all my hosts have been vegetarians.  While I have still managed to get a decent burger and some sausages, I have had more vegetarian meals these two weeks then I've probably had in a lifetime.  I don't mean mac n cheese type vegetarian.  But tofu and bean based main courses.  Its been refreshing.  I was feeling so good about it, I almost passed on the bacon maple donut from Voodoo Doughnuts. 

Overall its been a great time so far.  I am missing my friends and family (and I can imagine that will get worse when my phone gets shut off), but am amped at the sense of purpose I've gained since being here (hmm, drop all responsibilities and feel more purposeful; yes, I am fucked up).