Dark Side of Portland

For the last week we've been touring the different area's of Portland with our friends. I haven't been able to update the blog as I normally do because we are always on the go. In the evening, after their kids go off to bed, we have time to sit down to talk and laugh. We are staying here with them as Road Hazard is in the shop getting its routine maintenance done.

Reta and I did sneak off to downtown Portland one day last week. We went into the Northwest part of town called Chinatown and Pearl District.

Along this part of the city the river separates Portland in half. Several bridges connect the two sides. Each bridge is different from the other in appearance and the way it is constructed.

We took a tour that explored the underground of Portland. Underground with both meanings. Literally, underground in the tunnels that connect the different buildings and figuratively with the underground world that was once so prominent years ago in this area.

The tunnels, most of which have been blocked off, used to dissect the city and was used to transport people and other illegal activities between buildings. "Shanghai" is a term used for some of the activities that took place. People would be sitting in a bar and the next thing a trap door would open and they would end up through the tunnels and onto a ship to work for extremely low wages. Some considered it slavery because of the conditions. They wouldn't return for many years, if they were lucky.

We also toured the Chinese Garden that sits in the middle of this busy metropolis. The calm of the water and the beauty of the flowers transports you to another world of serenity.

We enjoyed a nice cup of tea while we took in the relaxing atmosphere and reflected back on our days activities.