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.
New Orleans
21 - 23 May : Who DAT?!
Bourbon, Beignets & Beads
Trippin'.
What's that motto again from Max's restaurant.. "If you're on a diet, this is not the place for you."? Well the same rule applies here in New Orleans, or should I say, N'awlins. Here in NOLA, where Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and street musicians paint the town, where "watching your waistline" is just a figure of speech and where glimpses of Hurricane Katrina remain, the good times still roll. It is by far one of the most richest, most vibrant and down right resilient city this country is blessed to have.
A food lovers paradise, this is the city for exuberant indulgence. It's a hodgepodge of thick spices from traditional Creole to spicy Cajun and everything buttery in between. You name it, here in N'awlins we've tried it-- beignets at Cafe du Monde, freshly- shucked oysters at Acme Oyster Bar, turtle soup at Commander's Palace-- and of course.. wash it all down with a couple of HAND GRENADES. All the while, struttin' down Bourbon Street collecting beads along the way. *pucker*
I dare you to have a better time in N'awlins.
On a more serious note. You would never guess but masked by the unwavering and genuine Southern hospitality and the constant "Yes Ma'ams and Sirs", New Orleans is still recovering from the devastation that was Katrina; particularly in the Ninth Ward where much of what is left is.. well not much at all. You, however, can help: If you get a chance to go.. go. Go speak to the locals, taxi cab drivers, street performers, etc. Their stories are of great triumph-- of trials and tribulation-- and through it all, they have a great sense of pride for this great city and the strong will to bring it back to the way it was.
Let me sign
Aside from the French and Spanish inspired architectures, we were equally infatuated by all the eclectic and custom store signage throughout the city.
Sleeping: Le Richeleau Hotel. Casual elegance and just minutes from the famous Bourbon Street but just outside enough to escape the noise makers and night crawlers.
Eating: Jacque- Imo's Cafe, 8324 Oak Street, tel: 504 861 0886. I'm not one for green tomatoes but the fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade sauce made a believer out of me. Adventurous? Try the alligator cheesecake.. you heard right.
Activity: The New Orleans School of Cooking. When I tell you this is the best gumbo I've ever had.. I kid you not. Went back for not just 2nds, but 3rds and finally had to send G to get the 4th because I didn't want to look like a cow. Butter is definitely better! And what a great alternative to the typical city tours.
More Photos.
View full gallery here.
Seattle
9 - 12 April : The Emerald City
Indulging in Seafood Mecca
Trippin'.
Fresh seafood, great wine and even better coffee. What's not to love about Seattle? It's a medley of all things great in the Pacific Northwest! A city surrounded by mountains and ocean, luscious greens that seem to extend for miles and miles, it is no wonder Seattle is often referred to as the Emerald City.
We had surprisingly unusual weather, sunny skies to be exact, which was a plus when we found out it was pouring back home in San Jose. G went for work and I, of course, went along for the "free" ride. We had a jammed pack weekend as we always do filled with sight seeing, shopping, and what else-- food.
Speaking of food. A friend recommended we do a food tour of Pike Place Market and what a great suggestion that was. We booked a tour with Savor Seattle and had the best time tasting all things great about Pike Place Market-- from Iron Chef winner Tom Douglas' crab cakes, to the world famous fish throwers' smoked salmon! Best of all, as touristy as this place gets, Pike Place Market's captivating personality and character is apparent, alive and well.
Classic, not traditional-- made to perfection
Though not a traditional panzanella, at Dahlia, you simply can't deny its Tuscan Grilled Bread Salad is original and classic. A perfect blend of bitter greens drizzled in a light vinaigrette dressing, mixed with day old grilled Tuscan bread, cherry tomatoes.. and to top off this remarkably- mouthwatering plate-- a slice of prosciutto. It does not get any better than this.
Tom Douglas' Dahlia Lounge, 2001 4th Street, tel: (206) 682-4142
est salmon (or any fish dish for that matter) goes to-- *drum roll please*-- Elliots' Alaskan Troll King Salmon smoked on alder plank. Insanely good! Smoked fish-- simple enough. The entree itself, nothing utterly worldly or remarkably unique at first glance. And yet it was love at first bite. The rest of the meal was a bit of a blur after that. Simple it certainly is not but to put it into words is difficult and down right challenging. It's a -you've- gotta- try- it- to- believe- it to even begin to understand its levels of complexity. And once you do, salmon (or any fish) will never taste the same.
A perfect weekend getaway to indulge in some of this countries finest palette pleasers.. or should I say teasers? Which ever way, we'll cheers to that!
Sleeping: Inn at the Market. Tucked away in an ivy-covered courtyard, this boutique hotel is a tranquil hideaway located practically "in" the vibrancy of Pike Place Market.
Eating: Serious Pies, 316 Virginia St, tel: 206 838 7388, for two-- order 2 or 3 pies. Try the potato! If you're lucky, you might just run into Tom Douglas himself.. we did.
Activity: Don't miss the perfect photo opt at Kerry Park. Tip-- Have your taxi wait while you take a quick photo because there is no other way down the hill and taxi's are few and far in between.
More Photos.
View full gallery here.