Portland Trip

I never thought a business trip would be so much fun. I mean starting out I planned my travel in a way that I could be in Portland Thursday and Friday, spend the Friday night meeting up a friend and then head back home. But what I did not realize that catching up with the old friend could be so much fun.

Ever since the evening 6 PM it was just fun and I felt like being back to school again. The Portland State University(PSU) campus is located near downtown Portland and has a distinct European feel to it. Large old style buildings, student residence halls, green lawns, open air cafes, cute streetcars and above all the buzz of a campus. Went around and met a few friends of my friend and soon we were headed to a local pub. Had a pitcher of beer, some thin crust pizza and one of the most amazing french fries I have had. Fast forward and we were in a student dorm on the 8th floor drinking our way to glory while one of my friends made real tasty dinner. But having seen the dorms in US schools now, I can't help appreciate what wonderful facilities we had at ISB. Trust you, this is just no match...The party was nice and happened to strike up an interesting conversation with a guy from Africa ranging from the potential of African markets to some of the common myths associated with African men. ;) Also interesting was watching a group of drunk students playing ball on a 3 lane street in front of the dorm at 2:30 AM in the morning or another group heading out only in their T shirts. Uni days are really all about fun...I wonder if this time, carefree joy ever comes back to our lives again.

Morning woke up late...Had a nice Thai lunch where three of us were made to cry by a "mild" Thai dish and these are guys who are used to hot and spicy food. Then went out to the river front. It was very beautiful and serene watching small fishing boats lazing around and a ferry passing by. Portland is really a very beautiful city..It has the Willamette river flowing through, nice hills lined with juniper and ferns and on a clear day you can see the snow capped peak of Mt Hood on the horizon. As I sit at the Portland airport waiting to catch a flight back to the bay area, I can't help feel bad...It was truly a very nice weekend in a while. I really would love to move to Portland. Let us see what future has in store....