Strolling the Portland Japanese Garden

Hey peeps. I planned to post something different today, but then things happened and I decided to move up my post for the Japanese Garden. Why? Because I've been listening to my AAPI community and what's happening in our country is appalling. I just happened to plan our trip to the garden right after the horrendous tragedy that happened in Atlanta where 8 people were killed, 6 of which were Asian-Americans.

This was a hate crime, pure and simple, no matter how the media wants to frame it. A white guy having a "bad day" is no excuse for murder. I've had lots of bad days, but I have never bought a gun to take out my frustrations. Like a rational human being, I eat garbage food and cry while I watch bad TV. Other normal people go running, or call a friend, or even play video games. 

If you've been following me for the last year or so, you know how much I care about civil rights and being anti-racist. You also probably know that I have Japanese heritage and I travel not just to have fun and try new food, but to immerse myself in new cultures and learn more about the world and people in general. I don't tolerate racism and I try very hard to understand ways I might be contributing to the oppression of POC and how I can change the way I act and live to grow as a person. 

As someone who just looks white, it's difficult to have conversations with other people in the AAPI community without seeming like an outsider. And while I have not faced the horrific racism that many of them have, I have seen this racism and discrimination surrounding my father and his family for having a different color skin. 

The Portland Japanese Garden is a lovely respite from everything in life, overlooking the city. I feel bad for not visiting more often. In fact, I visited twice when I first moved to Oregon (in the mid-90s) and haven't gone back since. The variety of greens are meant to be soothing and it really works. Though there are so many things happening in the world right now, it allowed me to just walk and relax and focus on the calm around me. 

I booked the first admission of the day, and while there were more people than I anticipated, it was easy to take a step away for a moment and find yourself alone again. Almost all my photos only have nature in them, or just the two of us. Normally, this isn't possible. 

Even though it wasn't warm or sunny out, the mix of plants, trees, water features, and many steps can really take your mind off things and/or give you time to reflect on life or nature. We've also been talking about a trip to Japan in the near future that this gave us some inspiration for such a trip. 

Japanese tea house

This tea house was so sweet and quaint and made me remember just how small many Japanese are, myself included. I joked with Eric that he was going to feel so uncomfortable and like a giant when we visit, especially if things are comparable size-wise to their little shelters, delicate structures, and this tea house. 

When you stroll through the garden, it's sort of impossible to think of anything about Japan and its people besides the beauty of it. There's brilliance in every bridge, stone step, and other structure. 

This zig zag bridge is one of my favorite things. It's so close to the water, it feels like part of nature, the barrier doesn't obstruct your view of the rocks and fish, and it made me feel kind of tall. 

As you can see there weren't any people on the bridge or surrounding area when we arrived. We did stand off to the side while I took some photos and let people go ahead. There were probably 10 or 12 other people there when the above picture was taken, and a lot of those people hung out for quite a while near the water, because it was really chill and gorgeous.

How are there even people who see things like this and hate on people who build such things? I have never understood racism, but I understand it even less when I visit countries and see the way people live and then come home and see the same people holding on to traditions and foods and way of life. These differences make our country great and interesting made it what it is today. It's the white supremacy that ruins it for all of us, whether you're aware of it happening or not. And if you don't believe that, even after reading my views on the police brutality, voting rights, and the ongoing BLM protests, then I'm not sure what you're even doing here.

If you want to support the AAPI community more than you already do, here are some great resources for educating yourself, being a better ally, where to donate, how to get involved, and more. At the very least, check out your local Asian grocery store or pick up something at the Asian-owned coffee shop or restaurant you love and tip well. You'll enjoy it that much more.

Before I go, I want to leave off on a lighter note regarding travel. I know more and more people are getting vaccinated, and we'll all be eligible sooner than we anticipated, but we still need to remain safe. There are still no travel advisories, because we need to remember that not everyone is vaccinated and not everything is open either. In light of that, I am still focusing on socially-distant, responsible, mostly-outdoor travel. Because of that, you'll still see photos of me wearing a mask, doing more things like the Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden and staycations and street art, and road trips until travel restrictions have officially eased. If nothing else, most outdoor landmarks are in parks and are totally free. I'll be posting more outdoor shots on my Instagram account as well, too.

What is one of your favorite things you've done while in quarantine? Have you found something cool in your city that you didn't know about before?

Must-See Ireland Locations (Part 2)

Last week we had an Ireland destination date night and celebrated St. Patrick's Day while also exploring some cool places in Dublin. Then we made a happy hour spread for the actual 17th and watched an Irish band via a live stream while we ate, so it felt like we were in a really comfy bar. 

Photo credit to my wonderful cousin, Cassidy

If you missed part 1 of this post, go check it out first. You can work on planning a great Irish road trip between these two posts. 

Dublin

The most well-known city in Ireland, Dublin is home to a lot of tourist sites and easily the most popular destination. One thing that I feel is iconic is the O'Connell Bridge over the River Liffey. It's not that long or that remarkable, but it is over 200 years old and wider than it is long. It's a great nighttime photo opp. Here are some of the other things.

• Trinity College & Book of Kells - Built in the late 1500s, Trinity College is best known for its amazing, gorgeous library, the Book of Kells. It only costs a euro more to take the entire tour than to visit just the library, so you might as well get the whole experience and really see the beautiful campus through the eyes of those who love it. 
• Temple Bar - This is Ireland's landmark pub. Though small, it has been expanded. The bright red facade is easily identifiable, and if you stand on the corner you can wave to Earth Cam, where people around the world watching the live feed can see you. I always love when I see people do that. 
• Guinness Storehouse - While you can take an online tour for free, you can't recreate a visit to this interactive museum where you learn about the making of Guinness and all that's involved. Get a free pint with your tour and don't forget to check out all the cool branded merch.
• Old Jameson Distillery - If you love whiskey, then this is probably already on your must-do list. If you don't, there's still something here for you. See how whiskey is made in Ireland, including the original distillery that still sits in front of the new, shiny, modern factory.
• National Museum - Learn more about the people of this great land through Celtic artifacts in permanent and revolving exhibits. 
• Kilmainham Jail/Gaol Museum - If you don't know much about the history of Ireland, this tour is exactly the place to start. Housed inside a 19th century prison, known for its harsh treatment of prisoners, has a free museum, or a paid guided tour.

Ann Schreck on Unsplash

Galway

Galway is a gorgeous seaside village that sits where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Like many other cities on the water, Galway emerged as a trading port and was populated by merchant families. Now it's a quaint village of 80,000 people that hosts a bevy of festivals throughout the year.

• Galway Crystal - Established in 1967, Galway Crystal is one of the most well-known crystal factories in the world. Every piece is very well made and unique. They make great gifts for friends and family.
• Kylemore Abbey - Built in the late 1800s, inspired by love, this estate was said to boast "all the innovations of the modern age". The Benedictine community have lived and run the abbey since 1920. 
  
• Athenry Castle - Located on the banks of the River Clarin, this castle doesn't look like much, but is more interesting inside and has a very cool history. Parts of the original outer enclosure wall still survive for you to view. 

Jean Carlo Emer on Unsplash

Kerry

Best known for its natural beauty, County Kerry is home to Killarney National Park and the Lakes of Killarney. It's the perfect destination for those that like hiking and doing other outdoor activities.

• Ring of Kerry - This 111-mile circular tourist route has a ton of tings to see and phenomenal views of the sea. The road is narrow enough that buses can't travel side-by-side along it, so all tour buses must travel anti-clockwise. Those traveling by car are suggested to start halfway along the route in order to miss the buses, or travel in a clockwise direction instead.
• Muckross House and Gardens - This British-designed Tudor-style mansion was built in 1843. After several sales, it was then presented to the Irish Nation in 1932, and the house and gardens became the very beginning of Killarney National Park.
• Dingle - This little fishing town sits on the Atlantic Coast. After the war, the town bounced back with a thriving linen industry. Unfortunately, linen was pushed out by cotton and the town fell victim to the cholera plague, but was saved by its fishermen. The fishing industry grew even larger with the arrival of the railroad, allowing seafood to be transported further away.

Ingo Doerrie on Unsplash

Kilkenny/Waterford

Kilkenny and Waterford are an extension of Kerry. It's a medieval town, settled by the Normans.

• Smithwick's Brewery - Ireland is synonymous with beer/ale. Smithwick's has been an institution since 1710 and tours are conducted by knowledgeable locals who want everyone to know what sets their ale apart from all others.
• Kilkenny Castle - Built in 1195 to keep people from fording the River Nore and crossing into Norman territory. In the 60s, the castle was "sold" to the people of Kilkenny for just £50. Awards and graduation ceremonies are now conducted on the lawn and the Parade tower is used as a conference venue. 
• House of Waterford Crystal - Known as one of the best crystals in the world, Waterford dates back to 1783. Though the original factory closed and a revival was attempted several times, it wasn't until 1947 that one succeeded. Throughout its rocky history, it continued to produce high quality bowls, glasses and more. Now you can take home a part of that history.
• Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum - This is actually three museums within walking distance and tell the 1100 year history of Waterford, including its inception by Vikings in the early 900s.

Lucas Miguel on Unsplash

Meath

Just a stone's throw from Dublin, Meath is known for its archeological sites and completes your tour of Ireland.  

• Newgrange - This Irish passage tomb is a large mound that is surrounded by 97 stones. It covers just one tomb with highly decorated passageways.
• Boyne Valley - Lush and green, this is a fantastic place to view the countryside and also much of the history Ireland has to offer. There's much to see and do within the valley. 
• Hill of Tara - This beautiful site is the gem of the valley, used for burials and assemblies. Irish mythology places Tara as the home of the High King of Ireland. 
• Trim Castle - The largest, best-preserved & most impressive Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, Trim was built in 1172. It has changed a bit with each in habitant, but much of the original Anglo-Saxon feel remains.

Now that you've taken a virtual road trip around Ireland, it's time to plan for you own in the future. It may be a while before we are allowed back into the UK and Northern Ireland and things to reopen there, this gives us all time to plan and also save for this amazing trip. 

Have you ever been to Ireland? If so, what was your favorite part?

Street Art is Free Art

I love nothing more than an excellent mural or a street performer. You never know what you'll find around town, so keep your eyes peeled for cool stuff just waiting to be discovered. A lot of cities are partnering with local artists on beautification projects, so this is more and more common in downtown areas.

While we're not traveling, you can still be a tourist in your own city, which can help you learn more about where you live and also give you a feeling of being on vacation. One of my favorite things in London is all the different neighborhoods with different vibes. We have some of the best times just walking around looking at street art. 

Portland has become more and more of a hotbed for street artists. There are tons of murals on buildings, walls, fences, and even electrical boxes. The same can be said for many other cities, including Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Seattle, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. It's a cheap travel activity and you're not confined to an art gallery. Most cities even have a ton of sculptures scattered around. 

I always look out for street art, cool graffiti, and other artwork whenever I walk or ride through a neighborhood. It's an awesome way to find out what sort of artists your destination is home to and how a city sees itself. 

There are a lot of ways to save money on a trip and plenty of free and cheap things wherever you go. Street art is a great alternative to a museum, especially if you travel with kids who may or may not make it be able to hang out in a quiet and controlled atmosphere for long enough to make admission prices worth the visit.   

With more cities wanting to enrich neighborhoods, showcasing local painters is an affordable way to do so and also give them a wide, varied audience. 

What are some of your favorite cities for art, either traditional or street?