Day 22 : P-Town!

{ Wednesday, 05 August 2009 }

{ My sisters gave me a deadline to finish the last six days of our RV trip so I'm buckling down and plowing through it. Cafe Latte, please! }

Jessica, Atelei's good friend from LLA, visited us this morning and spent the day as our resident tour guide through this beautiful, green city. Did I mention she graced us with Krispy Kreme donuts? Yum yum. Our theme for visiting the major US cities is: Public Transportation is our Friend. Portland was no exception.

WHERE ARE YOU, LITTLE GIAN?

YAY, ANOTHER TRAIN!

WHY ARE THE BFFs ON THE PHONE?

KALE'A IS MORE INTERESTED IN THE CHANGING VIEWS

THE MONINGKA GIRLS

The train dropped us off at City Center, which - as the name suggests - is Portland's center of town. We heard about the food carts stationed through out the city, so in keeping with our food tour, Jessica led us to them.

ANTHROPOLOGIE ALWAYS HAS SUCH LOVELY WINDOW DISPLAYS

WE ALL MATCH TODAY

IT'S LIKE LITTLE NEW YORK

YAY, WE FOUND IT!

While Brandon, mom, Jessica and I bought Korean food, Atelei and Christine ran across the street for some crepes. The keikis always love eating al fresco so when the food arrived they chowed down to the point that Brandon had to buy another Bulgoki.

ONE OF ATELEI'S SIGNATURE POSES

TIME TO EAT! { maile is our foodie; she'll try anything }

HONESTLY, THIS KOREAN BBQ TASTED BETTER THAN SOME OF THE ENTREES I ATE IN DC!

After lunch we walked back to City Center. While en route I was hungry for dessert - ice cream, to be exact - and low and behold! Ben and Jerry's was only a hop, skip and jump away. Yay!

YOU SCREAM, I SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!
{ but auntie jenn screams the loudest }

We boarded the train and Uncle Greg picked us up from the station near his house for dinner. I wish we had taken photos of the keikis running buck wild through their ranch style house, practicing their free throws and cooing at the fishes but alas, we were too thrilled to finally have dinner in a relaxed manner surrounded by loving family. Uncle Greg and Auntie Esther, we appreciate your hospitality and love. After twenty two days on the road it was so nice to kick back, eat a hearty meal and talk stories with you.

At around nine in the evening Atelei, Jessica and Jason walked through the doors. Maile was so excited to see Uncle Jason that she twirled around the kitchen, lifted her shirt and beamed at him. We left the Nakashimas house late with our bellies full and our hearts overflowing. It's nice to know that in less than twenty-four hours we will reunite with the Oliverio family at our annual campout. Exciting times are ahead!