Down From the Land Where the Sun Don't Shine

I am told Portland is a town of tree huggers. From my recent visit I can truthfully say this appears to be correct. The town has many trees and some of them appeared to have actively been in the process of being hugged. Parks and rivers run through it, bicycle lanes riddle the streets, and it is reportedly a crime to run over pedestrians. Because of all this mother nature loving, squirrel kissing, crystal rubbing hippiness there is also an active land management program by the city which aggressively manages how land is used and which limits suburban sprawl. As a result of this, then, and combined with a well-developed street car and light rail system, Portland has what seems to be one of the most livable downtowns in the nation. Unfortunately this means I need to drive a ways to find a good strip mall, but I think I may finally be strong enough to get by without massively discounted bath soap and bath soap accessories.

Portland’s urban thriftiness is never more visible than in its main medical center, the Oregon Health Science University. Perched atop a rocky and tree strewn hilltop near the city center the medical complex has been forced to work with limited land and limited not-cliff space by building less in the horizontal and more in the vertical, diagonal, and all over the place. Stand near a window in the main adult hospital and you can see a sky bridge leading to the pediatric hospital adjacent, a parking garage stationed immediately off the precipace below, and the veteran’s hospital sitting oddly at an angle sitting somewhere in the clouds. It is an unusual and striking site to see as building is built almost upon building to make it all work. So unusual in fact, that I did not take a single picture of it.

I did, however, take a picture of this:

I think it’s a sign warning bicyclists of booby traps. There was another one a few blocks down which I believe depicted bamboo spikes and an improvised of foot snare.

All in all Portland seems like a pretty great city. Mostly because I enjoy squirrel kissing, but also because the Infectious Disease program at OHSU seems quite amazing. The staff were cordial, the program rigorous, and the facilities impeccable. I am admittedly likely under qualified. Thankfully, however, just like me the suckers got limited options. Here’s to making the best of what you got. Hopefully that means I’ll soon be Oregon bound.