Portland: The Prologue to Portugal

Before I begin my next chapter in Portugal — a life I hope will be full of healing, exploration, and peace — I needed to make an important stop: Portland, Oregon.

This journey of sunsets, self-discovery, and starting over couldn’t begin without seeing Vinicius, one of my closest friends. We met nearly a decade ago when he was bartending at my local spot in Jersey. He's about 20 years younger than me — something that might raise eyebrows for some — but our friendship has always defied convention. After a fire forced him out of his apartment, he lived with me for a little while, and our bond only deepened. He’s family. So before crossing the Atlantic, I had to cross the country — to laugh, to reminisce, and to say “see you later” in person.

I landed on Sunday and was immediately reminded of the magic in our friendship. We laugh so much when we're together. Silly, loud, healing laughter — the kind that fills in the cracks you didn’t know were there. We had dinner at Hawthorne Asylum, a quirky food truck spot enclosed with a bar and picnic tables. From there, it was mountains and parks and memories. They took me to Council Crest Park — one of the highest points in Portland — and because it was a clear day, I could see five snow-capped peaks in the distance. Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Jefferson. It was breathtaking. A reminder of how small we are — and how big this life still is.

The next night, we visited Vinicius’s brother, Gean, who’s in a rehab facility across the Washington state border.  We made the most of our time with him: shared a Mexican dinner (surprisingly expensive and just okay), went on a wild goose chase for a barber, and eventually ended up lakeside at Merwin Park. Another unexpected photo op. Another memory sealed.

Tuesday brought us to the Bagby Hot Springs in Mount Hood National Forest. And let me just say, we were rookies. No downloaded directions, no flip-flops, and nearly no way to pay. But somehow, despite losing cell service, getting bad directions from a GPS, and me almost giving up halfway through the 1.5 mile hike (seriously, I’m so out of shape), we made it. The soak in the cedar tubs — alongside strangers, a topless woman (clothing IS optional), and one quiet older man — felt almost sacred. These quirky little moments, these shared silences in warm water, were more than just a novelty. They were a reset.

The rest of the trip was a blur of connection and quiet reflection. We tried new food, played with tech (I bought and returned a laptop), and even tried Apple’s Vision Pro. Let me tell you — VR has come a long way. Laszlo, Vinicius’s partner, was so excited to help me pick out a new laptop, and I’m grateful for how supported I felt by them both.

Thursday night was karaoke night at Alibi Tiki Lounge — our thing. The local bar he used to work at in Jersey would often host karaoke nights, and singing together again felt like coming home. The crowd was lively, the drinks were flowing, and the energy was pure joy. We sang our go-to duet — Say Something — and I even mustered up the courage to flirt with someone. That may not sound like much, but after everything I’ve been through, it felt like a small act of bravery. A promise to myself to keep stepping out of my comfort zone until it no longer feels like I’m stepping out at all.

My last day was a mix of errands, hugs, and the kind of bittersweetness that always comes with goodbye. I didn’t get to see the redwoods or Powell's Books like we originally planned. I slept in instead. Maybe that was my body’s way of saying, “Rest. You’ll need your energy for what’s next.” We managed to swap laptops — again — and then hit traffic on the way to the airport. Portland sent me off in its own way: messy, beautiful, and real.

I hugged Vinicius and Laszlo goodbye, not wanting to let go. I don’t know when I’ll see them again, but I know I’ll carry this week with me — into Portugal, into this new chapter.

Thank you, Portland, for the laughter, the landscape, and the love. The healing has already begun.

Next stop: #healingbythesea
And this Not So Common Gal is officially #thenotsocommongalabroad