I went to Portland from November 10th to 13th. It was awesome and exciting for me to visit Portland. I could not only enjoy going shopping and eating delicious food but also learn American history. I especially enjoyed the largest bookstore Powell’s City of Books, magnificent scenery of Multnomah Falls and beautiful downtown of Portland.
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| A Lot of Books! |
First of all, Powell’s City of Books was surprising bookstore for me. Before I visited Portland, some teachers told me this bookstore is large and fun. I looked forward to going to Powell’s City of Books before Portland trip had started. When I entered the store, it was thronged with a lot of people. I have never seen this situation before, so I was surprised. Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. It was founded in 1971, is opened 365 days a year. Powell’s buys around 3,000 used books a day! I bought two books, “Charlie and the chocolate factory” and “Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone”. I have watched Charlie and the chocolate factory and Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone, but I have never read those books. I was lucky to buy them because if I bought English books in Japan, price would be more expensive. I’m looking forward to reading two books after I read another book which is homework for reading class. I can’t wait until homework finished. There were a lot of kinds section such as novels, cookbooks, picture books, photographic collections, textbooks and miscellaneous goods. In addition, there was coffee shop in the bookstore. Many people enjoyed drinking coffee and eating cakes, reading some books. It was impossible to see all books for limited time, so I want to go there again as soon as possible!
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| Wonderful Scenery of Waterfall |
Second, I was impressed by Multnomah Falls. It is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River and the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States. When I saw it, I was surprised because of large scale. I have seen small waterfalls. However, I have never seen tall waterfall like Multnomah Falls and I seldom go to see waterfalls in Japan. Multnomah Falls was more wonderful than I had expected. It was amazing scenery for me. I took a lot of beautiful pictures with my awesome group members. When I went to Multnomah Falls, the weather was not good, so if I visited there again, I hope that the weather will be nice. This is the first time that I was moved by scenery of waterfall.
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| Great Old Town |
Finally, I like downtown of Portland. I ate doughnut at Voodoo doughnut. I waited in a long line in order to buy famous doughnut. Inside of shop was colorful and cute. Doughnut which I bought was so delicious. I want to eat it again! After eating doughnut, I went to Saturday market. There were many crafts. I think that these were similar to the Southwest’s crafts. Crafts were dainty and beautiful. There were a lot of travelers who are from all over the world. Furthermore, I bought a lot of souvenirs such as lipsticks, fragrance and T-shirts at some malls because Portland has no tax! I enjoyed going shopping there. If I were millionaire, I would buy many things! And townscape of Portland was wonderful and gorgeous because many buildings have illuminations. I thought that townscape of Portland was very different from Santa Fe where I visited last month during the Southwest trip. There were many historical buildings in Santa Fe. On the other hand, there were modern building and arts in Portland. I thought there were a lot of young people in Portland unlike Santa Fe. Downtown of Portland is one of my favorite places.
Portland trip was fascinating memory. This trip was the last trip for Extension students. If I didn’t apply for Extension program, I can’t definitely go nice places, see great nature and learn American history with wonderful Extension students. I was happy that I am one of the Extension students and had irreplaceable experience. I heard that Portland is the best place to live in the United States. I agree with this opinion because I could feel natural nature and fun unlike my hometown even though the weather is not good. I would like to visit Portland someday.
