On my first day in Portland, I headed to the Farmers Market on the campus of Portland State University to see something truly local. The lush green grounds were lined with booths selling organic vegetables grown by small farmers, cheese, jam, sweets, and more from popular local bakeries. Everyone was chatting and carrying baskets full of vegetable seedlings and fruit. I was envious of the people shopping for their daily needs while listening to a live band. They were also very environmentally conscious, carefully sorting their trash! I could really sense the high level of awareness among the locals. Leaving the Farmers Market, I rode my bike along the riverside bike path. After cycling around the city, I filled my stomach in the warehouse district of the southeast area. I went to Olympic Provisions, the place that started the salami boom. Their salami is made with organic meat and herbs and spices, making it incredibly delicious! It tastes just as good as any in Spain, Italy, or France. My favorite was the pickled eggs, which I had never tried before. I was surprised at first by their pink color, but they were the perfect accompaniment to beer.

Portland not only has great beer, but also delicious Oregon wine. I was curious, so I decided to check out the urban winery Enso Winery.

I thought it was interesting to have a wine production site in my neighborhood. The wine they produced had a unique flavor, but the breezy interior was a pleasant experience.

For dessert, I went to a vegan and raw food restaurant called CANTEEN. I had wanted to come there in the morning because they serve smoothies and salads for breakfast, but I stopped in on my way home. I ordered raw cheesecake and kombucha here.
The raw cheesecake was absolutely delicious! The appealing thing about kombucha, which is popular in the West, is that you can order it on tap.

On my way back to Downtown, I looked up from the bridge and saw the neon lights sparkling. I headed to bed to prepare for my second day in Portland.


--In Vol. 3, we visit Forest Park, the largest park in the United States, the fashionable Pearl District area, and restaurants beloved by locals.