#1: The Journey begins! (Sept 5 - 11 2011)

Monday 5th September: its a beautiful sunny Monday morning and even though I've only had four hours sleep I'm relaxed, calm, but excited. Have I got everything I need for two years? Heck no, but I've got the essentials. 

I meet Julia Talbot-Jones - another NZ Fulbrighter - at the check-in after she gets in from Christchurch and we have plenty of time before heading to the gate. I was so glad and grateful to have a couple key family members see me off. Kia ora ra! As we walk through the lounges I hear 'Hey' and turn around to see the boys of the Gaualofa, the sailing canoe from Samoa that I sailed with for two months! (See Pacific Voyagers). They'd just returned from San Diego and were awaiting their flight back to Samoa. Man, it was a very pleasant surprise to see them.

12 hours in the air and two at LAX and Jules and I are free to explore LA for a whole day before our next flight. Sleep deprivation is there but its a sunny day and the city is a little depressing, so we jump on a train and go south to Long Beach, California. Yes, its Summertime in the LBC. 

I convinced Julia that we'd get a better view from the water, so we jumped on one of the big boats at the pier for a 30 min harbor cruise. Fresh air and sunshine, oh yeah. A nap on the grass and a bit of food and we were then ready to go. 

View of Long Beach from the water

Gateway to the USA - orientation at the University of Iowa

The next morning we were in Iowa. Where is that? Its right in the middle of America, just south of Chicago. It produces lots of corn, beef, NFL players, and University degrees. 

The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, whereas the state capital is further South in a place called Des Moines. Iowa City is a campus town, and a really good one. The whole city is focused on and built to accommodate the University.

University of Iowa

I met 40 other Fulbright scholars from all regions and continents of the world, who like me had just arrived in the US and were about to begin their studies. It was a regular United Nations youth council.

What is Fulbright all about? J William Fulbright was a US Senator who believed that cultural exchange through study abroad was one of the best ways to engender a more peaceful international community. It is this vision that has helped to make The Fulbright Program so successful and prestigious. Tau ke! Awesome!

We learned about what it means to be a Fulbright scholar in America. But it would not be complete without Americans. Getting first hand experience of what life is like here and just how much diversity there is within America was awesome. The four lead organizers of the orientation all spoke with a different American accent and were from different parts of the country.

A 'boot'

Finally, the orientation was a great introduction to the social lives of Americans. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength of microbreweries, and the range of types and places of origin of the beer. The other thing you notice is the portion sizes, they're enormous! And so I will be too if I'm not careful!

Arrival in Portland

Since arriving in Portland it has been nothing short of one big random chain of events. Thats traveling, you just have to embrace it.

As soon as I touched down, the spirit of friendship and hospitality that is Portland came to the fore. Thank you to David Salseth, a volunteer with FOCUS, a student support group for international students, who picked me up from the airport (and then came back to drop off the bag I'd left in his car - legend!). FOCUS webpage

I stayed at the Hostelling International Portland on SE Hawthorne St for the first week. HI Portland was a great hostel for the people I met and the recycling and gardening they do. I met people and with them met other people and positive things happened. 

First impressions of Portland

Multnomah Falls

As for the vibe of the city, I've been blown away by the people here. They are extremely helpful and friendly. They also make a point of being alternative i.e. not mainstream American. 

I've had numerous offers from people who like to go hiking, camping etc if I'd like to join them I should just let them know. They want to show you all the awesome things this place has to offer because they are proud of the place that they live in.

The city is well organized, there are lots of parks, transport system is really good, lots of trees all around the streets. People are really into leading their own lives and living a purposely alternative lifestyle. 

First words to describe Portland

Active of body and mind
Alternative
Tattoos - tons of tattoos
Food carts! (over 450 in the city of Portland)

Nature highlights
Watching squirrels scurry along the power lines to get to the trees across the street.

Multnomah Falls just to the North East of Portland


Thats it for blog 1! In the next post, I'll let you know about what Portland State University is like.

Ma to atua e tiaki e manaaki. Noho ora tonu mai ra! 

May your creator protect and care for you. Be well!


Simon

PLEASE NOTE:


This is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views expressed in this blog are mine alone and do not represent the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or the New Zealand government.