portland | not maine
food cart | not truckso.. about portland. oregon not maine (although we hope to go some day). most days im thrilled to get the opt to tag along on one of g's business trips. but not so much this time around. portland just didn't seem exciting to me. when i think of portland, i think of dreary skies and waterproof everything. i was right, at least with the former. so imagine my surprise when g was elated and anxious to go. and then i found out why. two words-- food carts.
food carts have really exploded over the last couple of years and portland is the perfect example of this. with over 400 carts and counting, most clustered in "pods", encircled parking lots, with cuisines ranging from Thai to Swedish and potato fries to fried wiffles, it's a foodie's dream.. and nightmare. so much to choose, not enough meal times in a day. some of the best carts are scattered throughout the city. convenient? i think not, but who cares when it's food this outrageously good served at embarrassingly cheap prices.
speaking of cheap. how could you possibly complain about no tax. especially when you A) can shop anywhere without fear of 9.5%. or B) order 2- cocktails and bar food under $20. or even better C) dinner for two for less than breakfast back home. the only downside is figuring out how much to tip. can't double the tax when there isn't any.eat this. Nong's Khao Man Gai - chicken and rice. that's it. just poached chicken over rice served with garlic chili soybean sauce all neatly wrapped up in a little package. brings back a bit of my childhood as cliche as it may sound. just like how mom use to make it.
going public. on our first day, we taxi'd to most places. g insist we try going public.. transportation that is. because he's read portland's got the best, most efficient public transportation system in the country. now that is a big reputation to live up to. and after our first bus ride, i was convinced. not only the best, but the nicest bus driver's too! how awesome is it to have buses and trams with trackers on them? you can literally track your bus and get it's real- time location rather than the scheduled time of arrival. now that's cool.
[tracker]
days gone | 3
pictures taken | 740
jumps attempted | 13
jumps kept | 2
chipmunks encountered | 1
number of sweaters brought | 1 (black n white stripes)
number of nice bus drivers who stop to help tourists with directions | 2
number of food trucks we ate at | 8
best bite | ike's vietnamese fish sauce wings
pleasantly surprise | bacon maple donut [at] voodoo
lesson learned | when ask, i told the waiter our pasta was a bit too salty. the truth rather than the usual it's fine. or worse, it's great. the result? entree compt by management. yay. more room (and wallet) for dessert.
[more photos]
South America - Argentina & Brazil
24 December - 8 January '11 : Southern Highlights
RIO DE JANIERO - ILHA GRANDE - IGUAZU FALLS - BUENOS AIRES
Hi Family & Friends
This year we're exploring a bit out of our European comfort zone. We're heading South and beyond the border to Argentina and Brazil to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year in true South American style. And.. with the greatest of pleasure, a few good friends alongside. A first for both-- this is going to be a trip to remember. Stay tuned for more!
25 - 26 December : Rio de Janiero
Accomo: Augusto's Copacabana Hotel 
26 - 28 December : Ilha Grande
Accomo: Che Lagarto Hostel
28 December - 1 January : Rio de Janiero
Accomo: Acapulco Copacabana Hotel
Crossing the border between Argentina and Brazil en route to undoubtedly the most beautiful of all Falls-- Iguassu Falls. While here, we'll hike the trails and take a boat/ helicopter tour to see the fall from all angles for what we anticipate to be a sight to been seen and an experience like no other.
Accomo: Marcopolo Inn
5 - 8 January : Buenos Aires
Last leg of our 2- week vacation is in the heart of Argentina-- Buenos Aires-- where most revered as the Paris of the West. We'll zigzag through La Recoleta Cemetery's ostentatious tombs to pay tribute to the most famous of them all-- Evita. Ending our South America adventure with.. Tango lessons?
Accomo: Rendez Vous Hotel
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Airfare \\ American Airlines, US Airways and Continental.
Vaccination \\ Malaria and Yellow Fever.
Visa \\ Required for Brazil.
Web \\ We're using TripIt to map out our day-to-day itinerary.
Books & Language \\ Rosetta Stone- Portuguese.
Gear \\ Nikon D90 - 18-200mm lens + 50mm f/1.8D AF. Canon PowerShot S90. Fujifilm Quick Snap Waterproof 35mm Disposable.
