Other!Portland

So far this Portland has a lot more brick, smells differently, and has people whose phone ringtone is Irish Trad music. I only ran into that last one a few times, but even really knowing about Irish Trad is a highly regional thing. Growing up on the New England coast I was used to it being a thing, but then found out how rare knowing about it is outside of certain areas. So just hearing random snippets of it is nice.

I walked around the city for about 7 hours today. For a lot of it my brain was playing 'how is this distinctly different from my Portland?'

The hotel internet is so bad I have problems even loading twitter, so I'll get to comments and stuff later.

I talked at the dude at the visitor's center. Apparently, most drivers of taxis and rideshares are just refusing to go back to work after this past year and the transportation problems are big and there's really no fix for them right now. Even the most reliable taxi company shouldn't be relied on. So, when I leave I am going to get the airport super early. Problems getting away from an airport is one thing, problems getting TO one is whole 'nother issue.

Looks like the heat dome got extended through Monday. I am still hoping it's not as bad as predicted, but right now it's looking like not good.

I am going to try to open Facebook for a minute. Wish me luck.