Sunday, June 28, 2009

A Grrl in every Portland


On Thursday afternoon, as we were driving to Portland, Maine, for some reason Mr. C and I were telling our children where we were when we heard the news that Elvis had died. (I was on PEI; he in some East Coast neighborhood.)

When we arrived at our Portland hotel around 6:00, my daughter turned on the telly to learn that MJ died. Uncanny.

Getting that sad uncanniness out of the way, I must say that I adore Portland. I thought I did last summer, but my adoration has been confirmed tenfold.

I love the hills. Walking up hills is a favorite activity of mine.

I love the port. A functional waterside is a delight. There is, of course, a hint of “tough” to any port town, but I ultimately prefer it to “quaint” for everyday life.

I love the singular boutiques. One disappointment of, say, Soho, is its preponderance of mall stores. I don’t want to see J Crew or Chanel in Soho. I do like seeing quirky places in Portland, with labels I don’t recognize.

I love the salty air. So does my hair. (Rhyme unintentional and unapproved.)

But I admit, it is difficult to wear heels in Portland, with cobblestones and hills.

5 comments:

K.Line said...

Very odd coincidence. And I LOVE port towns. That gritty quality totally appeals.

WendyB said...

I'm always grateful that I don't live in a completely cobblestoned city. It's very scenic but not good for shoes.

Belle de Ville said...

I'm glad that towns like Portland still have small interesting boutiques. I'm so tired of seeing the same stores with the same merchandise everywhere.

Anonymous said...

I adore Portland, Maine. Wish I'd stowed away in your suitcase ...

La Belette Rouge said...

I was in Sunday Lake, Washington when Elvis died. I have never been to Portland, Maine. It looks lovely and somehow very literary.