I flew up to Seattle in late-May 2021 to join my significant other in Kirkland, Washington. Since we had a long holiday weekend, we took a quick road trip to Portland and drove back to Seattle to meet with extended family.
Although spring is usually conference season for many education groups, all the in-person networking opportunities and the large professional gatherings were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I spent most of my days engaging in research in my modest studio apartment and waited patiently until I was eligible for vaccination.
Whenever I expressed apprehension for the future, my partner always finds a way to reassure me. This past year, he suggested a sakura (Japanese cherry blossom) as a symbol for renewal, changing of seasons, a sense of beauty in the present, and optimism for the future.
Fortunately, educators in the state of California were prioritized for COVID vaccination and I managed to complete the the 2-shot series by mid-April. Once I was fully vaccinated, I felt safe enough to travel while taking public health precautions such as maintaining physical distance when possible, masking in crowded public places, and keeping up with hand hygiene.
Although I lived in Santa Barbara for 7 years, this was my first time flying from the municipal airport SBA. My flight from Santa Barbara to Seattle was my first flight in over a year. As the plane descended into Seattle airspace, I marveled at all fluffy clouds forming around my window. As the pilot prepared for landing, the small green specks grew into lush majestic pine trees and I knew I found a slice of heaven.
I arrived wearing my trusty coat and my favorite galoshes on the plane. As I waited for ground transportation, the clouds separated and showers began. A white Tesla pulled up and dinner soon followed.
Day 1: Dinner at Padria with the hun in Kirkland
The first meal in Kirkland took place at Padria Mediterranean Café. One of my favorite food traditions include mixing and matching entrées and then sharing family style. My significant other ordered turkey meatballs and I had the kabobs, so we sampled different sets of proteins.
Day 2: Hainan Chicken Lunch at Nong Khao Man Gai
The following morning, we embarked on our trek. When we arrived in Portland we found a shop that specialized in Hainan Chicken. The tender chicken was the centerpiece of the meal and the flavors were highlighted with green onion soup, pickled vegetables, relish, and fish sauce.
Chicken, rice, and peanut sauce 
Khao Man Gai
After lunch, we explored town and wandered into Powell’s bookstore. I realized how much I enjoyed browsing and the magic when finding the book that truly sparked my interest.
Powell’s bookstore was one of the largest bookstores I ever visited. Certain sections and floors were open to the public, but exploring through a bookstore also brought a sense of normalcy and comfort.
The Society Hotel in Portland
We checked into our room at the Society Hotel. This hotel/hostel had several tiers of amenities. We opted for a private room and a shared restroom across the hall. The bathroom was secured, spotless, and well stocked with premium spa products. Our room was located on a quiet floor with very few neighboring guests. This establishment embodied the local charm with a sense of communal spirit I yearned for.
The crew downstairs provided amazing food recommendations and diligently implemented Covid-19 precautions throughout the establishment. After we checked in at the Society Hotel, we decided to stroll down the road and find a dinner spot.
Dinner at Lechon
During our evening stroll, we came across a charming South American restaurant called Lechon. We mixed and matched proteins again, so I ordered the flank steak with piquillo pepper romesco and my significant other ordered a perfectly cooked Peurvian roasted chicken with sweet potatoes, salsa criolla, cilantro, and lime. The colors, aromas, and the symphony of flavors kept our palettes guessing.
After dinner, we returned to the hotel and took the elevator to the rooftop bar. The breathtaking view of the twinkling Portland skyline reminded us of possibilities as infinite as the stars in the sky.
Day 3: Early Breakfast at the Society Hotel
The following morning we had an early start around 7:30AM, so we packed our bags, checked out of the hotel, and ordered breakfast to-go. Breakfast at the Society Hotel was an advertised as a highlight and it did not disappoint. The barista took our orders, brewed the espresso for the latte, turned on the griddle in the back of the kitchen, took avocadoes to make thin slices while toasting the bread for the toast and sandwiches.
The perfectly balanced latte complemented the rich avocado toast. The over easy eggs with cheese in between grilled sourdough made a hearty breakfast sandwich for the trip home. The fresh ingredients and the made-to-order preparation made us want to return to Portland soon.
Quick Hike at Angel’s Rest
We drove up to Angel’s Rest and hiked a bit. The trails meandered up and fresh morning air invigorated our spirit.
Charging the car became on a recurring themes for the road trip. Fortunately we found several charging stations and gradually navigated back to Seattle.
Afternoon chowder in Pikeplace Market Seattle
After hours on the road and several stops, we finally arrived at Pike Place Market.
The initial plan was late afternoon lunch the Crab Pot near the ferris wheel. Unfortunately there was a long wait, so we decided to explore and sampled the Pike Place chowder. The rich chowder was loaded with clams, and perfectly soft chucks of cubed potatoes.
Cocktails at Skål Beer Hall
On our way to dinner in Ballard, we discovered Skål Beer Hall. Skål means “cheers” and this bar was an interpretation of a Viking meadhall with a selection of Nordic craft beer, mead, and aquavit cocktails.
Dinner at Pestle Rock in Ballard
We met with extended family for outdoor dining at this incredible Thai restaurant called Pestle Rock. The Gang Gae (lamb stewed in homemade massaman curry paste) burned so good and kept us wanting the next bite.
This holiday trip brought me a renewed sense of confidence in what the world has to offer. For the first time in a long time, I felt present, grounded again, and inspired.
Lilly C. Lew Ph.D. 