I rarely explore new cities alone.
Not because I’m afraid or because I dislike being alone- frankly (shamefully perhaps), I find myself bloody entertaining- but because I don’t take pains to make it happen.
Travel somehow ends up being a group sport.
When I booked my flight into Portland a day ahead of Mr. M (who was meeting me there after a trés-heinous work week in NYC), I was a teensy bit excited to spend the day exploring Portland with ME.
Day #11,531:
“Are we adventuring together, Miranda? I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure…
Would we call it ‘pleasure,’ my dear?
Well, we’ll call it something, I’m sure of that.”
With a day that was mine, all mine, I suited up in my warm winter boots and took off to wander through the rain.
The whole point of getting drizzled on is so that one can cozy up and dry off someplace like Cacao in downtown (414 SW 13th Ave).
I went deer-in-the-headlights upon entering this wonderland walled with chocolate, and the helpful man behind the counter suggested that hot cocoa might be a good place to start.
We chatted away while my chocolate was melting into drinkable form, and then I took a seat at the window bar and watched slightly damp Portland life pass by.
When I was done- no waiting for anyone or asking ‘are you ready to go’… just a quick wave to my new barista friend, and off I went!
It must be said that in the grand scheme of the world, Mr. M is a ridiculously good sport. He’s the definition of easy-going, which is why a day spent doing whatever I please roughly approximates a day spent with him (minus all the slightly insane conversations with myself). But the man hates to shop.
When I peaked out from my rain hat and noticed a Buffalo Exchange used clothing store (1036 Burnside)- bingo! Stop Two on my personalized Portland playlist.
On my last visit to a Buffalo Exchange in Brooklyn, I ended up with a $10 Bavarian-esque dirndle dress that Sister S deemed… cough, cough… “fairly bold” for everyday. Needless to say, hopes were high.
One totally unrushed hour later, thanks to some advice from a chummy employee, I had a very wearable prairie dress and red “statement necklace” (so said the tag) for $20!
How does one improve upon a day that’s already hit the ‘chocolate’ + ‘thrift shopping’ jackpot?
While meandering up 13th Ave in the Pearl District, I was caught up by a display that positively sparkled in the drizzled afternoon.
Cargo (380 NW 13th Ave) is one of those stores I want to live next door to, so I can furnish my home with nothing but Balinese wood carvings and Nepalese flags and Nigerian beaded ottomans.
Instead I wandered the aisles, indulging my tactile inner 5-year old and touching everything in sight. It’s a global treasure trove in there.
Not having anyone to answer to, I made the executive decision that 4pm was Coffee Time, Part Deux. Mocha with Valrhona chocolate? Yes, please. Fleur de sel chocolate chip cookie? Don’t mind if I do.
So what if every single thing I’d eaten all day contained chocolate?
[Sometimes I want a little sign to carry around that says “Trust me, I’m a doctor.” I would hold it up when ordering my fourth very chocolatey item of the day, when The Adults try to say things like “that’s maybe not a good idea.” Stand back… and trust me. I’m a doctor.]
Luckily, I did not need my imaginary sign because no adults tried to stop me.
Yet another perk of solo travel.
Maybe, maybe if I’m being 100% honest, I was maybe a tiny bit apprehensive setting out in a brand new city all on my own. Can I really say ‘table for one’ without getting pitying, judgey glances? Am I allowed to talk to strangers? (Living in New York City apparently scarred me for life.)
Yes, and OF COURSE.
People were instantly friendlier when they noticed I was going stag. Telling me about their city, recommending their favorite snack, getting into spirited debate over the appropriate number of layers for fall.
Traveling alone- even for one day- made me feel as though I were experiencing Real Life, just in a different place. It made me more open to all the genuinely friendly Portlanders I may otherwise have passed by.
Which is a lot of the point of traveling somewhere new, anyway, right?
(And did I mention the chocolate-all-day-without-supervision thing?)
I’m curious… Are you a solo traveler? Do you prefer your own company to compromising with a traveling companion?
Details of the Day: PDX is one of the most convenient airports I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. There’s good signage, free wifi, and (my favorite part, thusly, saved for last) an easy-to-use light rail shuttle that will take you right into downtown Portland for $2.50.
P.S. For Coffee Lovers: After a weekend packed with coffee, Barista (539 NW 13th Ave) was my absolute favorite Portlandic coffeehouse. Friendly baristas, tasty treats, and the best mocha of the weekend. Just so’s ya know.
I prefer a travel companion, but one of my favorite all-time weekends occurred on a solo business trip to Boston when I was in my early 20s. I explored the hell out of that city on my one free day, and never felt out of place on my own, even when dining alone. The ability to do whatever I wanted, on my own schedule, was liberating - so I get the appeal of your solo day in PDX! Which, I should mention, is where I live now. I love the city, and am glad you had a good time. You had me laughing out loud when you wrote about telling your coffee to "work it." Hope the rest of your trip is/was just as divine!
Liberating is the perfect way to describe it, Mark! Everyone's too busy doing their own thing to care about whether or not I've got a companion. (Except for the homeless gentleman that offered to BE my companion, but that's another story.) It certainly helped that my first solo trip was in a city as friendly as yours. I loved my stay in PDX. I just wish I'd found your guide to the city before leaving... although- and I like to think you'd be proud- I did enact a strict no-umbrella policy.
You win major points for not carrying an umbrella! I'll bet you blended in perfectly. :)
I loved reading about your time in Portland. In August, my Husband and I spent the weekend there and I had a day alone, while he was in a meeting. I ended up going to the Zoo and World Forestry center. I love days to myself in new areas. Portland is such an eclectic city. I can't wait to visit again!
What a wonderful solo day! I'm putting the World Forestry center on my list for next time- that sounds pretty awesome. There's too much to explore in Portland for one visit, isn't there? Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
There is WAY too much to explore. The World Forestry center will teach everything you ever wanted to know and much more about forests and the industry. It's worth a visit. Next time, I want to just poke around the stores. We mostly ate!
A mixture of everything MIranda. When I was younger, I travelled a lot. Solo, and I loved it. People were just so friendly, willing to help and eager to give me tips about local places. I also used to do a lot of business and academic travel so I would take an extra day or two here and there to do things at my own pace - fast! With marriage, there has to be some compromise, luckily for me, my family let me do the choosing of where we are going but I'm careful to make sure that our adventures consist of something special for each of us too. I love travelling so when our son was born, we took him along too. No problem, in my experience, the younger they are, the easier it is!
I think you hit the nail on the head, Victoria! A little mix of everything is ideal... solo travel to indulge, and I'd argue, to break down barriers both with locals and in my own head (concerning what I think I'm able to do on my own)... family travel to share what you love (travel) with the people you love! It's so amazing that "The Tall Young Gentleman" has been exposed to travel from such a young age. What an education. If/when the day comes that I have a little one, I'll take your advice and start them off young!
Eating chocolate all day? I'm in. I like to travel solo sometimes -- usually I'll bring a book as companion so I have something to do while I'm waiting at a restaurant. (Or I listen to music on my iPod.) I like the freedom of being able to wander at will. But traveling with someone else is good too. Especially if they're from the area and know the most fun places to visit.
Ha! If anyone would approve of my Day of Chocolate, I knew it would be you! :) That's a great tip to bring a book along for those quiet moments. Luckily I was able to get window seats at the eateries I visited, which allowed for great people-watching while waiting. Solo travel definitely had its merits, but it's fun to be able to talk (& reminisce!) about the day with someone, too! And you're right- a knowledgable companion is even better.
I've never traveled alone, out the state travel that is, but when I make the drive to one of the cities surrounding me solo, shopping is always a must!
Yes, shopping will certainly make it on the Solo To Do List from here on out. It was so nice not to feel rushed out of the store by a not-so-enthusiastic companion! Although I don't shop too much in my regular life, I turned out to be quite the little shopper when left to my own devices in Portland!
I am so glad I'm not the only one who talks to my coffee. I love the freedom of traveling solo, but am just learning to travel with a new husband (married six months ago, and he's still finding out how crazy I am). Thankfully, he's not the judge-y type who takes issue when I talk to particularly attractive lattes, so it's all good.
It's always nice when we crazies find someone who can love us, even while chatting up steaming lattes. (The foam art gets me. Every time.) And when they've had enough... solo travel! :) Congrats on your recent marriage, Steffani!
I looks like a great time Miranda. I assume that you kept the Californicator Passport in your pocket. ~James
Ha! Indeed, James... I worked hard to be a local (I even went umbrella-free in the rain) and wasn't about to let that slip out. ;)
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