Apples and Oranges
As I've spent the majority of last week (as well as the remainder of this week) back up in Portland due to my job training, I've realized some remarkable differences between my hometown and my new residence of Salem...
1. NIGHT LIFE!!! This is probably one of the biggest reasons that I miss Portland. With the exception of one or two key places, Salem is a bona fide ghost town at night. If you're driving past 9:30 pm, you realize that you're maybe one of three cars on the road and the other two cars are policemen. Because of the aforementioned ghost town quality, there is also a lack of people watching (one of my favorite things to do). Portland, on the other hand, is a night owl's playground. Even at 1:00 am you will always be able to find something to do. You will also be continually amazed by the variety of people walking the streets (especially down by Pioneer Courthouse Square). And best of all, there is ALWAYS something new to be discovered or something you've never done before in Portland, even if you've lived there your entire life.
***I have to admit that the last statement is also true of Salem at this point because I am a newbie to town and have much to experience.
2. LOCATION. Portland is nestled inbetween many great features. An hour and a half to the East and you have Mt. Hood, an hour and a half to the West you have the beach (I sound like a Cascade commercial right now for all of you who have ever been recruited their). Beaverton, Vancouver, Gresham, Clackamas, and many other great suburbs that have fascinating attributes are only minutes away. Salem has Keizer and I suppose I could include Corvallis (which are both super cool towns in my mind), but then all the remaining perimeter seems like desert land. Salem is actually closer to the beach than Portland, which is definitely nice, but to really get anywhere from Salem is at least an hour drive.
3. FRIENDS. I have amazing, wonderful friends in Salem. They have been awesome and have helped me a great deal since I've been there. I haven't known them all that long, but they hold a special place in my heart. But I have to confess that there is something more to be said for people who have had such a huge impact and a special meaning in my life for at least the last 4 years, if not longer (all of which live in the Portland area). When you're the only person of a group that lives a significant distance away, no one wants to drive all the way to see you...but rather expect you to make the drive to see the rest of the group.
I did NOT in any way intend for this to sound like a Salem-bashing post. There are many things about Salem that I love. This was just my attempt to relay how much I miss Portland right now and that the adjustment I made to Salem hasn't quite kicked in yet. I thought I would adapt quicker, but that is okay...and change is good. I know that when you're outside your comfort bubble is when the most growth occurs, and that I am ready for.
1. NIGHT LIFE!!! This is probably one of the biggest reasons that I miss Portland. With the exception of one or two key places, Salem is a bona fide ghost town at night. If you're driving past 9:30 pm, you realize that you're maybe one of three cars on the road and the other two cars are policemen. Because of the aforementioned ghost town quality, there is also a lack of people watching (one of my favorite things to do). Portland, on the other hand, is a night owl's playground. Even at 1:00 am you will always be able to find something to do. You will also be continually amazed by the variety of people walking the streets (especially down by Pioneer Courthouse Square). And best of all, there is ALWAYS something new to be discovered or something you've never done before in Portland, even if you've lived there your entire life.
***I have to admit that the last statement is also true of Salem at this point because I am a newbie to town and have much to experience.
2. LOCATION. Portland is nestled inbetween many great features. An hour and a half to the East and you have Mt. Hood, an hour and a half to the West you have the beach (I sound like a Cascade commercial right now for all of you who have ever been recruited their). Beaverton, Vancouver, Gresham, Clackamas, and many other great suburbs that have fascinating attributes are only minutes away. Salem has Keizer and I suppose I could include Corvallis (which are both super cool towns in my mind), but then all the remaining perimeter seems like desert land. Salem is actually closer to the beach than Portland, which is definitely nice, but to really get anywhere from Salem is at least an hour drive.
3. FRIENDS. I have amazing, wonderful friends in Salem. They have been awesome and have helped me a great deal since I've been there. I haven't known them all that long, but they hold a special place in my heart. But I have to confess that there is something more to be said for people who have had such a huge impact and a special meaning in my life for at least the last 4 years, if not longer (all of which live in the Portland area). When you're the only person of a group that lives a significant distance away, no one wants to drive all the way to see you...but rather expect you to make the drive to see the rest of the group.
I did NOT in any way intend for this to sound like a Salem-bashing post. There are many things about Salem that I love. This was just my attempt to relay how much I miss Portland right now and that the adjustment I made to Salem hasn't quite kicked in yet. I thought I would adapt quicker, but that is okay...and change is good. I know that when you're outside your comfort bubble is when the most growth occurs, and that I am ready for.
You think you miss Portland . . . ?
Posted by
James T Wood |
8/16/2005 9:23 AM
hahaha...nice James.
Remember Christi, if you ever want to watch a movie, eat barbecue, play xbox, you can come over, or we can go to Northern Lights or mini-golf or something. Which reminds me...we need to go do that for our home community as soon as we're all back in town more regularly.
The benefits of being a couple blocks away!
Posted by
Tim |
8/16/2005 12:31 PM
salem and keizer are good places to be FROM but i am never moving back there . . . i LOVE PORTLAND!
Posted by
tabitha jane |
8/17/2005 11:22 AM
Salem is a heap, but the Valley kicks major ass! Just look around here in the spring, and autumn. Love it here! However, for anything real to do, you need to drive forty minutes up the five, then try to navigate a foreign land.
Posted by
Gunslinger |
8/18/2005 11:20 PM
the valley was called "death valley" by the natives and i'll tell ya, i agree. i am COMPLETELY ALLERGIC to the valley!
Posted by
tabitha jane |
8/19/2005 9:11 AM
Christi! I miss you! Man, I am jealous that you have gotten to go to camp so much this summer. bUt i think it is awesome that you have your own place....don't forget that when i come home i want to come stay with you for at least a week...so we must plan some dates and hopefully by that time salem will be absolutely amazing and you will be able to show me around ;) love ya, rach
Posted by
Anonymous |
8/20/2005 7:09 AM
That's it!!! Rachel you need to come home! New Zealand has been hogging you way too long!
You are more than welcome to stay with me as long as you want! I'm sure I'll be able to come up with some crazy fun things for us to do.
Posted by
Christi |
8/23/2005 10:38 PM