A garden, a neighbourhood and some history

Sunday, March 27, 2016
Portland, Oregon, United States
West of Downtown Portland is the Washington Park within which lies Portland Japanese Garden. It is reputed to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. It occupied 5.5 acres and took four years to build. It was superb. Every turn presented a different view, each one equally breath-taking. When we got there, it was pouring but it was in fact a blessing in disguise, as all the trees with rain drops on the branches were glistening when the sun eventually emerged from behind the black clouds. There were lots of places to sit down in a tranquil setting, fellow visitors' noises notwithstanding, and contemplate nature, life, the meaning of the universe etc. Alas, all the benches were wet from the rain so we didn't find out what it was like to meditate with a wet bum.
 
After the Japanese Garden, we drove across the river to SE Division Street, an up and coming Portland neighbourhood which still hangs on to the ''alternative '' way of life . There are lots of good restaurants and we found one which served delicious sandwiches and pizzas. Most surprising of all was that they made their own Kouin Amand, a Breton pastry which made British television début at the Great British Bake Off. The food, and pastry, were all delicious. A very happy find.

Not far from the Club is the Oregon Historic Society. As luck would have it, they had two exhibitions on relating to the history and experiences of Chinese immigrants to the US. The larger of the two exhibitions was on loan from the New York Historical Society. Chinese American: Exclusion / Inclusion was the title and it charts the complex history of the Chinese in America. From the early trade, to the gold rush, the Chinese Exclusion Act, persecution and legalised discrimination, to successfully challenging the law and winning recognition in the American society. It was a powerful exhibition with lots of harrowing and inspiring stories.

 
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Comments

Etsuko & JC
2016-03-29

¡Qué sandwich! Igual que el comedor en BL.

2025-02-11

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