The Travel Queen

Here I am - it may look like I'm in my hometown with all those TULIPS, but NO, take a second look - I am in Portland still. The gal I am traveling with,Sonia, just thought I needed my picture taken by these TULIPS that are not even from my home!!! (Since we live in Tulip land!!)

We had a day - we had meetings all morning and then decided to venture out on our own again. To all who know either of us - that is a surprise that they even let us out without GPS units attached to us, but yes, we may only be in Portland once so we go out venturing. Today's venture - the Chinese Gardens!! So we get on this tram/bus thing and off we go - we just listen for our stop - hey, we are good!!! The gardens were gorgeous - I am SO glad we took the time (and BRAVERY) to go. It was on the way back though that our traveling courage was tested - we already STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB around here - everyone takes one look at us and KNOWS we hail from Iowa!!! We get on the train and grab a hold and get ready for the jolt we know happens at every stop and start (see, we are getting seasoned, aren't we?!?!). Sonia, she's smart, she grabs the iron pole, Me - I grab the leather handle hanging from the ceiling - I've seen people do it, I figure I can do it too. I am holding on for dear life as we are jolting forward and my strap breaks - I AM NOT KIDDING - totally comes right off the pole and I am just praying I don't land on the floor OR in the bum's lap next to me!! Thankfully, I find another pole to grab onto - I AM NOT KIDDING AGAIN - people are laughing from three train cars in either direction and one lady looks at me and says, "You will have to pay for that - See that camera?? You were being taped." I was dumbfounded - I thought - You have got to be kidding!!! Then, thankfully, she busts out laughing. I am SURE I was three shades of red - needless to say - we got off at the next stop - nope it wasn't even our stop, but we were getting out of there!!! Enough free entertainment for the people of Portland!! Hmmm, I'm thinking tonight it's room service and it's a good thing we're leaving soon - Portland can't handle too much more of us and I doubt we'd ever leave our room again anyway!!!!

See you all in SAFE Iowa!!!! (If our city even talks about putting in a tram thing, I will have a word with the city - those are DEFINITELY NOT SAFE for travel!!!)