Throwback 2018 West Coast "Part 2 Portland -1/2"

Throwback 2018
Portland -1/2
18-20th Nov, 2018

In Portland, there is a city motto: "Keep Portland Weird."

Weird means "mysterious," "unusual," or "strange," so the slogan means "Let Portland stay weird."

It embodies the spirit of the people of Portland, who "stray from the values ​​that have taken root across America and value their own values." A city that doesn't follow the fast-paced, rational trend of economic powerhouse America, but instead goes its own way. That is the charm of Portland.

Trying to suppress my excitement, I traveled to Portland on a small, shaky propeller plane, only to find that my baggage was lost...

Yes, plans changed. I usually plan my trips carefully, so I'm used to unexpected troubles, but this time I was overcome with disappointment.

Upon arriving, I had to buy some necessities like a T-pack and socks, so I went to a local grocery store. I was so busy looking for something small that would fit me that time flew by, and before I knew it, it was already too late to explore the city on the first day...

It was getting late, but I returned to the hotel and, not wanting to waste the time I had left, headed out into town again. My eye fell on a bookstore called Powell's Bookstore, the only one open late, so I rushed in.

Inside, you can see children playing, old men reading books, students studying, and there is also a cafe attached. It has nine floors, and books of all genres are categorized in a very easy-to-understand way. It is so large that even adults can get lost. Powell Bookstore is a landmark of Portland and a so-called independent bookstore. It is said to be the largest independent bookstore in the world.

What was fascinating about the store was that, in addition to books, there were many stickers showing love for Oregon and Portland, as well as many things that aren't often seen in Japan, such as "VOTE" which encourages people to vote, "Get off the internet" which urges people to get off the internet and focus on real life, "Read Rise Resist" which calls for a rebellious spirit, and "reading is sexy" which promotes reading.

After enjoying Powell Bookstore, we returned to our accommodation, the Ace Hotel.

Ace Hotel is a pioneer of design hotels that renovate old buildings to offer their own unique style, revolutionizing the hotel industry and expanding not only across the United States but also in Europe.

The hotel lobby is open to the public (free Wi-Fi is available) and is a cultural hub where a wide variety of people gather. There is also a souvenir corner in one corner, and everything there is stylish and cool. Whenever I buy souvenirs, people are always happy.

Each room is designed by a local artist, and the interior incorporates vintage furniture and modern art to create a unique design. Each room has a different concept, so deciding which room to stay in is part of the fun.

This is the room we stayed in.

Now, there is an Ace Hotel in Kyoto, and it is one of the hotels I would like you to stay at when you go abroad. I have stayed at Ace Hotels in various places, including Los Angeles, Manhattan in New York, Brooklyn, and London, other than Portland, and as mentioned above, the charm of this hotel is that no two rooms are the same.

Just like Portland's motto, "Keep Portland Weird," it's okay to be different. I was reminded that this is what makes something unique and attractive, and I found a common thread between AS A BIRD and the city.

Next time we will bring you the second part of our trip to Portland.