Datingirl

TheDateZone.com

Greetings, Video and Audio Dateologers, and welcome to Portland, Oregon, where the weather is 78 and breezy, the streets are sparkly clean, the trees are lush and almost tropical-green, and people are nice. I mean- really, really nice.

If we ignore the fact that our travel department booked me at an airport hotel (AIRPORT HOTEL!!!) in this lovely piece of heaven--this business trip is turning out to be a truly delightful experience.

Tonight, for example, I drove to downtown Portland and met up with a colleague who lives here. He took me to Park Kitchen- a small bar/restaurant in the progressively booming Pearl district. We sat at a curb table--across from the park--and caught up over champagne, a salad of sliced clams, grilled poblano chile and shaved fennel, and the fluffiest honey-sage gnocci. As the sun set over the roofs to the west, we talked about work, the situation in the Middle East, and his new relationship.

After he left, I set out to explore downtown. I had to visit the legendary Powell Bookstore. I walked into the humongous space (a full square block) and immediately felt more at ease than at my local Border's--which measures an eight in size. With color coded rooms and visible display of room, section, and topic signage, it was easy to find what I was looking for and be tempted to explore other topics.

Then I went to SW 23rd street which is lined with cafes and small restaurants and lit trees and got myself Italian ice ream in a green cup, which I delighted over as I strolled down the street.

As proof for just how much I like Portland, I even found my way out of downtown and to the hotel with no map (I left it at the restaurant, under a salt shaker)--a true test of comfort.

Next time, it's going to be the water falls and the lakes of Oregon.

Yours truly,

Video and Audio Datingirl