Please Come to Portland. NMC 302 Post #3

Portland has been on the hearts and minds of students all over the state due to a certain type of news coverage known to draw in the college-aged demographic. With Blazer playoff season in full-bloom, it seemed like a bad idea to write a travel blog on anything but the beautiful Rose City.

An article by Joel Odom from the Oregonian got me thinking about how badly I would like the Blazers to proceed, how proud I am to be from the city that hosts their competition, and how much I would like travelers to get to know it as well.

The ultimate reason I have heartily decided to feature Portland as my travel target in this week's post is because this entire week has been a constant race to the internet or television to find out the scores of the Blazer's playoff games (more on that later.)

Travel + Leisure recently created a profile for the city of Portland on it's website. Visiting it gives readers the options to discover, via the articles provided, the innumerable things to do and experience in this ever-growing-in-popularity Northwest river town. I always lose myself on the T+L magazine website because they do a wonderful job of not only profiling destinations (letting readers know the basic must-sees and -dos) but also always seem to encapsulate the beauty and charm that is unique to each place.

In using phrases like "This northeast Portland newcomer isn’t so much a restaurant as a regularly occurring, eccentric dinner party", "The small and celebrated Lower Burnside space is half civilized bistro and half culinary crack den" and "The sweet, redheaded, and tattooed Kir Jensen serves cupcakes from her cart of desserts" solidifies this trusty travel media outlet as a personal favorite.

The fact is, there is a lot of travel experience under my belt and I wouldn't take back a single one of those trips or visits to foreign lands- not a single one. However, it is by no means beneath me to say that as an Oregonian (officially from Salem-- but a long line of Dewitt relatives resides in Portland), travel to Portland is as vital as any other city.

Here are 3 solid reasons (one of too many) to regularly visit, according to me and Travel + Leisure:

food.

Every good trip needs good food. It's the source of energy that keeps us motivated to walk the streets of the unknown, or continue on to just one more shop so as not to miss a single important thing while we're here. Portland has choices that no other city offers. In the T+L article "Eating Through Portland". This is an entertaining and fun informational article that would get someone

living 1000 miles away to come to the Northwest. It is a good example of the language Portland locals would use to describe what's their's. It abundantly lays out twelve of the weirdest and coolest dining locations, of which I have chosen three:

Voodoo Doughnuts- Made famous from its cameo on "The Amazing Race," this snack location offers a glimpse into the pierced and tattooed urban locale.

Ned Ludd- "A small-scale, pure-hearted restaurant that has no stove." Enjoy quality time here, seriously.

Castagna- For some bonafied comfort food, Portland style.

The Saturday Market.

This is the Saturday Market that puts all Saturday markets to shame.

For me to try to describe the art, the food, the people, the culture

would be to insult it. It gives visitors a genuine sense of the city in a matter of hours, but please make sure and spend at least that. Any less time would not do justice.

The Blazers.

Portland Monthly Magazine and The Oregonian have done fine jobs of keeping readers (especially us readers too busy to sit down and watch entire NBA games) updated on scores and schedules. My heart is with them tonight as they battle the Mavs in Game 6. Come on, Portland!

the best pictures I own.

by me.

Tiara Weiner.

Stanley community, Hong Kong, China.

Hong Kong super market.

Tiara Weiner, the best friend.

hiking in Corvallis, OR.

Worship concert @ Rose Garden, Portland, OR.

Dimple Hill, Corvallis, OR.

riverside walk, Portland, OR.

waterfront, Portland, OR.

downtown, Seattle, WA.

spring break, Olympia, WA.

Christmas season, Hong Kong, China.

Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

waterfront, downtown Hong Kong, China.

downtown Hong Kong, China.

my brother the baller, Guangzhou, China.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China.

Chinese acrobats, Beijing, China.

hand-painted artistry, Beijing, China.

wild high school bonfire, Shenzhen, China.

hand-crafted globes, Beijing, China.

by kimi.

Be a student in London town/ NMC 302 post #2

The New York Times recently published an article on how to live and love the internationally-renowned city of London on a student's budget. "A Visit to London, With Students as My Guide" was a terrifically enlightening article, especially since I could relate based on my Spring Break trip there a few years ago.

The major concept posed by this article is unique and relevant to someone like me, who if ever to return to the streets of London, it would most likely be on the student budget mentioned so often in this story. The concept is that this city is known for it's high standard of living and therefore "consistently ranks far ahead of any city in the United States in cost-of-living indexes."

It's an old town full of energy and culture brought on by the mobs of immigrants that are magnetized to England's benefits. As such, it is a a town (a large town indeed) that students like myself would love to visit, even for the third or fourth time.

Something to consider when discussing travel plans to London are the upcoming 2012 Olympic summer games. When London beat out Paris for the opportunity to host what has always been one of the world's most important events, it also painted a big fat target on itself as a major travel destination for all sorts of demographics coming from every corner of the world for the next century. Some would argue it already was, so one can only imagine how much tourism will raise in the next year.

The controversy that this article instigates is that London is affordable. The author challenged himself to live like a regular London resident on a tight budget. He was able to dine, drink, and enjoy without overpaying.

All in all, what I realized from this article is that a trip to London, though not at the very top of my priority list, is do-able and therefore in order. Looking forward to some history and fish and chips.

Travel Must-Do's/NMC 302 post #1

My mind is constantly in the place I could go next, I feel it important to make a durable list of international locations that I am obligated to make my way to within the next ten years (a bold mission I realize.) Places on here have either always been on my list for no apparent reason or have recently been added due to the New York Times news agenda or Travel + Liesure's feature spreads on must-see luxury resorts (oh don't act like a Thai spa treatment doesn't sound attractive to you, liar.) Let's get started on just a few, in no particular order:

Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Like I said, the news agenda plays a pretty critical role in my process of choosing destinations. There's enough tragic publicity daily on this place to bring me to tears, and it has actually, but I can't help but be inspired by the recent turn of events:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/world/africa/12ivory.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=abidjan&st=cse
In this story from last week, we can see that a change has finally come. Gbagbo is gone. Though the effects of his time in power may continue on for some years, the first step has been taken (unless you count the opposition's initial decision to fight as the first step) and now the country can get back on it's feet- economically and politically. The article also stated the involvement of foreign military groups (like France) as aid for the opposition. Information presented in the article was presented in a way commonly used by the new York Times: quotes from big men involved (including Gbagbo and a commander in the French military) sprinkled throughout but it gets to the point immediately. The arrest of Mr. Gbagbo can probably be considered the climax of the story of unrest in the Ivory Coast and the NY Times wasted no times in telling readers exactly what they needed to know in a situation like this. The ultimate message being conveyed in this story is one that I not only agree with, but also an underlying cause to why visiting the Ivory Coast is on my to-do list. The message is that now that Gbagbo is gone, the country can move on.

For weeks we've been reading about political disaster and internal war, but what we are seeing now are stories of hope. These people, pardon my making assumptions based on what I've read and not directly seen, are the kind that won't let a power-hungry man maintain authority if he doesn't deserve it. Out with the old (Gbagbo: The Mr. Undeserving) and in with the new (Ouattara: the rightful election winner.) I like it. I must meet these people: the very same people the UN predicts will make an immediate come-back and swift economic recovery because they refused to let a cheater get his way.

I can only imagine the cries of happiness that resounded after the arrest.
The following is an article by Voice of America news about the forecasted economic recovery under Ouattara:
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/UN-Expects-Swift-Economic-Recovery-in-Ivory-Coast-119858994.html

Let's hope the UN knows what it's talking about.


Dublin, Ireland. This whole thing stems from my father informing me my family roots are somewhere in the British Isles about seven years ago. Who knows if it's true; I don't come from a particularly heritage-informed family. Even then, though, I made the decision to go see "where I come from" (an obvious excuse to go some place new- as if someone needs an excuse) and experience the compassionate and fun-loving culture that is the Irish. As I have no personal experience on which to base my cultural understanding of this region (my family and I went to London five years ago and that's the closest I've come) I am making some pretty profound assumptions. Regardless of whether or not I am right or wrong, I must go see Dublin: famous for it's coffee-drinking, seven-hours-a-conversation intelectuals, cobble-stone streets and lively pubs. These are the basics I know from articles and books: *Dublin likes to drink.

I'll admit, I got this idea from movies mostly ("P.S. I Love You" played a big part and I'm not ashamed to say it. Okay, maybe a little), but every Dublin travel article I've ever read swears by the pubs and breweries so I'm following suit. Of the the dozens to choose from, there's the world-famous Guiness Storehouse, which was built in 1908 and almost single-handedly ran the economy for hundreds of years. Excuse my frankness, but any city that maintains financial stability through beer must be a light-hearted bunch. *Dublin likes to read.

Sounds dumb, right? What city with any internationally-known university like Trinity wouldn't enjoy a good read? What Dublin has, though, is different. The Archbishop March's Library was built upon a simple cornerstone concept: everyone should have access to books: books on medicine, navigation, math, travel, classic literature and music. From what I've heard, the city continued this theology and has since developed just a few more public libraries.

*Dublin likes to talk.

Well who wouldn't with that accent. A friend of mine once told me about her study abroad experience in Dublin. Her descriptions of the locals were mesmerizing: that they were the friendliest, most hospitable, genuine people she'd ever come across. Not to mention they have plenty to talk about given the availability of higher education, the success of local artists, musicians and restaurants.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This has been a growing priority since my freshman year in college. I watched a documentary in my anthropology class about the autrocities of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot's regime, and just like any other naive girl, I suddenly had to go. I guess I am still naive, because the urge has only heightened since then. Not to mention I am becoming good friends with a lovely lady at my church who spent three years as a missionary in Phnom Penh (and of course remains in contact with people who are still there- guest rooms perhaps?) If there is any spirit or happiness left in these people after that devastating history, I will be in awe. I do have experience in Southeast Asia, and from what I have seen with my own eyes, Southeast Asians are a beautiful and lovely kind with smiles from one ear to the other. What I want to see when I go (not if; when) is a bright smile on a Cambodian citizen: proof that a selfish and blood-thirsty dictator does not have power over a nation's people once he is gone. People bounce back, and Cambodians can smile after millions of their own are brutally killed, displaced and weakened.

This is a New York Times story from April 7th on continued repression and adversity in Cambodia: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/world/asia/08cambodia.html?ref=cambodia

“Over the past 20 years, the development of civil society has been one of Cambodia’s few enduring achievements,” he said. “This law threatens to reverse that progress.”

In the early 1990s, Cambodia emerged from two decades of civil war and mass killings by the Khmer Rouge, which left the country brutalized, without an educated class or civic institutions."

I wish this country's human rights would for once become the government's main priority, but even if it doesn't I think the people can still be found smiling.

*photos used from various travel websites and news sources.

They heard Him/Mexico Report

I got back from Queretaro, Mexico three weeks ago. It was by no means a trip for beach-lounging or pina colada-drinking, though the first would have been accepted with open arms had I been anywhere near the coast. It was a soul-searching journey.

After spending the short week there, I now feel I can look at the news and form a somewhat more credible opinion than I could before ever being there, not to mention a much stronger connection. I saw a couple stories on cnn regarding Mexico and the news did what it usually does best: devastates.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/04/08/mexico.mass.graves.cnn?iref=allsearch

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/04/14/mexico.mass.graves/index.html?iref=allsearch

In seeing things like this, especially after having been there, the tendency to feel hopeless is incredible strong. Living in Corvallis, OR does not seem the ideal living situation when there is a cause calling my name thousands of miles to the center of Mexico. It breaks my heart that an unstable economy and political unrest are the underlying causes of so much violence and disaster. From what I saw with my own eyes, the Mexican people are not at all like the criminals constantly portrayed in the news. This is what I got to experience...


The fact that spring break was only a week long and therefore an extremely short experience had little influence on how much of my soul I actually discovered there. It was beautiful. The plan was to travel to the casa of very old family friends who moved to Mexico as missionaries over ten years ago. They currently reside three hours away from one of the world's most dangerous cities (that is la Ciudad de Mexico) and oversee three different churches in the country. The church in Queretaro (a gorgeous colonial town) is now where they live and are having the greatest impact. The very first morning I woke up to the strongest sun beaming through the window. Sunday: time for church. Spanish worship commenced, my friend Cassidy leading like a freakin' rock star, and everyone-- I mean three year-olds and 70 year-olds and everyone in between- - was on their feet dancing with their hands raised to the heavens. God had my heart in his powerful grip from the first song. It was the truest feeling of humility I've experienced in a long time. It was as if the distance my praises and worship usually have to travel from me to God was eliminated. If that makes any sense... at all. Singing in Spanish manifested a whole new element as well; something about not singing the song perfe ctly humbled me in His presence even more. For the rest of the week I spent time with the American missionary family, got to know them and their ministry well. They inspired me more than anyone has in the last four years. In a country where times are very rough (as the saying goes: "When the US sneezes, Mexico catches a cold") and it is dangerous for someone to walk on his/her own at all in certain states, my friends are seemingly fearless. The two daughters evangelize to everyone they come into contact with (in their perfect Spanish of course), hold separate secular jobs to compensate for a missionary's salary, teach Sunday school, lead powerful worship and even give Sunday morning sermons every we ek. They are building up Mexican disciples who in turn go on to build their own churches. People are getting saved by the dozens weekly. They are fearless because they are p lanted in the Lord's purpose for them, so overwhelming satisfied with the work God has given them in a place they once did not consider home. Now they can't imagine leaving Mexico. I learned many things during my time there, the most significant being that I must keep my eyes and ears open for when God is ready to reveal my life's ministry. It may not be in international missions- though I would definitely not complain if that be the case- or in pastoral horizons, but I know it will be important for the ultimate Christian goal of every knee bowed and every tongue confessed. I know the calling may not come overnight (though it did for these people) but probably in a sequence of blessings and signs revealed to me over time... at least that's the way God has worked in my life thus far. I also learned of a very interesting lifestyle, which is that of the missionary and the missionary's kids. These people are not constantly covered head to toe, nor do they end every sentence with "Praise God." They are real people: personable and content and ready to spend time with anyone who wants to spend time with them. I love them so dearly, and am so blessed to have their email address. They assured me all I have to do is send an email a day in advance next time I plan on visiting them in Queretaro, and there will be a next time. As a result of my journey, I came to realize something... There's been a disturbance in the belief system I strongly cling to. It's not recent, in fact I think it has been around much longer than I've been alive, but it's just now starting to bother me. I'm getting really agitated with it. Not necessarily with the people who are doing it but with the concept itself. This concept is tolerance. My tolerant brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as myself since I have become quite a tolerant individual, have the best intentions, and I don't want to come off as a self-righteous, finger-pointing sonofagun with a wrinkled forehead. I don't. But honestly, isn't it better to be that than a confused, semi-heated church-goer who somewhat resembles, if you squint your eyes and tilt your head just so, one of those people who are living with a God-given purpose? I suppose I'm putting myself at risk of hypocrisy because I'm not classified as the gospel-preaching, incredibly well-versed Christian gal with the purest intentions. What I am getting at here has little do with the actions of others and more to do with my individual mentality that we were not made to attend church, go home, create a few "God is great" facebook statuses and call it good. I no longer believe that to be okay for myself or anyone who claims to be living for God and fulfilling spiritual purpose. Either you are or you're not. Either God's purpose is being revealed through my life, or it's not. I realized most of this as I roamed the streets of downtown Queretaro (one of the few safe cities left in Mexico) smelling cultural uniqueness and tasting the potential of a revival, a revolution of sorts, stemming from a family's decision to obey God's command.