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So far, so good...

9/9/2014

9 Comments

 
It didn't take me long to come across the Irish influence out here in Portland. Driving from the airport (after a sleepless flight and no luggage -delayed!!) I spotted a beautiful Celtic cross proud as punch on top of a hill. Turns out to be an Irish Potato Famine memorial ! At one stage over 10% of the population was Irish. In honour of this they now have a Irish Potato Famine Memorial erected just outside the city centre or downtown in my best American accent. The piece was built by a Donegal stone sculptor Brendan McGloin and then shipped over here in 2008, after nearly three years of hard work. Mary McAleese did the honours and unveiled the memorial during a snow storm of all things in 2008. She even made a joke about bringing over the bad weather, good woman Mary. 
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The city of Portland is many things. It's creative, vibrant, open minded and passionate. I've been to a comedy gig, karaoke, music gig ( Big Freedia - just try not to have fun!) , and ate the very large portions of every food that can be covered in cheese, which here is everything! This town loves it's beers and many breweries exist, sure I had to try a few! 

Little Miss Tourist came out two or three days and I hit up the regular haunts including a gorgeous Chinese garden, the quirky Pioneer square, and checked out all the various bridges. A highlight was definitely the hike up Multnomah Falls .This magnificent waterfall is very impressive and my lungs certainly got a workout on the mile and a half steep uphill trek. Vista House viewpoint only added to the scenery
The Portland Timbers are the professional soccer team that play here and I attended a game on Sunday, decked out in their colours no less. The fans were unbelievable, they chanted for the WHOLE game and went mental anytime they scored a goal, which they got three. To celebrate the goal, their mascot a lumberjack (stay with me here...) comes out to slice a piece off a log with a chainsaw (remember they are called the timbers) and present it to the goal scorer! So I can only assume the top scorer has a room full of timber pieces in his house ! 

The weather has been great so far, haven't seen a raindrop and no I don't miss it yet! Heading to Seattle next. I'll finish up on a phrase I have heard 6 billion times since I've been here 

"Have a nice day now!" 

Caitriona 

You can check out more photos on the wirld Facebook page or on Instagram at trionastricks . 
9 Comments
Sue
9/9/2014 16:05:54

Sounds great tri & pics are amazing, looks gorgeous! Karaoke though!?...🙉😁

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Ruth collins
9/9/2014 20:31:05

Looks like your having a ball. Jealous😞

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Aisleen
9/9/2014 23:08:10

Brill tri , sounds amazing!!i can hear ur American twang from here 😉🇺🇸 Xx

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Fiona
10/9/2014 01:02:49

Loves it Triona!! Hope ya blasted out you're so vain on the mic!! X

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Emily
10/9/2014 05:39:19

Sounds like great fun tri! You really are 'little miss tourist'😜 i love the way the Americans put cheese on everything!! Delish😋

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Trisha Dore
10/9/2014 09:11:24

One of the billion things I loved about Portland was that the "have a nice day" seems so genuine! so triona you go and have a nice day! Looking forward to future blogs.

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Caoimhe
12/9/2014 02:48:10

Loving it Tri ... Sounds like you're having a blast .. keep it up :)

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Sandra
12/9/2014 07:15:36

Triona looks like you're having a ball I'm so jealous xx

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Eims & Shona
12/9/2014 12:19:26

Sounds great Aunty Tri, pictures are not making us jealous at all x

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        Caitriona McGrath

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