baniak / Layne

I’m a fool for large bodies of water. Especially those at more northerly latitudes. I’m in love with the Pacific Ocean (the Pacific NorthWest of the USofA to be precise), and I’m sweet on Lake Michigan. But I feel like I’ve missed out on the Atlantic.

For me, Portland, ME personifies the part of the Atlantic that I could fall in love with. Not the vain/showy parts of the Atlantic that Florida and the Canary Islands represent. Not the soft and friendly parts of the Atlantic like North Carolina and Portugal. But the reserved, shy part of the Atlantic. The part that just does it’s own thing – “Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m just catching lobsters” – you know what I’m saying?

Also, I feel like Portland, Maine shares a kinship with Portland, Oregon, where I lived for 4 years. In fact [you may not believe this ;) ] Portland, OR is named after Portland, ME.

So, someday I will get to Portland, ME. In my dreams, my arrival to Portland, ME will signal the end of a bike trip that started in Portland, OR two months earlier.

I’ve been to a bar mitzvah and a funeral in Winnipeg. I’m thankful that Winnipeg has nurtured so many people that I love.

It’s extremely beautiful here. And it’s a friendly town, a little bit trendy, but still a cool place.

Come here for all the activities – I did zip-lining, rafting, and climbed Villarica. Climbing Villarica was one of the most personally fulfilling things I’ve done. It wasn’t fun, it was hell (I was out of shape) but it was totally worth it, just for the view and sense of accomplishment… and sliding down a volcano on your butt when you’re done. :)

Met a lot of cool Chileans here, helped us book our trips, but also hung out with us even when we were done with our trips.

Also, be aware that many many of the people you will run into here (in town) are tourists, but there are generally very cool. Not that there’s anything wrong with tourists… I was one at the time.