Perspectives

Best Nest: Put a Bird on It

Carolyn Supinka, CAS/MA ’16, assistant director of exhibitions, Portland Japanese Garden

Illustra­tion by
Shaw Nielsen

map of Portland with Powell's, Portland Japanese Garden, Doe Donuts, and Hollywood Theatre

I was born in Pittsburgh. Now I live in Portland, Oregon. In between, I’ve lived in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the Christmas tree capital of the world; Puducherry, India, where I spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar; Washington, DC; and Corvallis, Oregon, where I attended Oregon State University. 

My favorite nickname for Portland is Rose City. We have the International Rose Test Garden, which has 650 different varieties and offers an amazing view of the city below in the valley. Also, the only team that I follow, [the National Women’s Soccer League’s] Portland Thorns, is a nod to the city’s nickname. My favorite Portland tradition is that on the first warm, sunny day of the year in May or June, everybody runs to the park. You can’t even see the grass. 

A TV show that gets Portland right is Portlandia. It can be a little over-the-top, but it offers a great look at all the different neighborhoods, and I loved Kyle MacLachlan—Agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks—as the mayor of Portland. I also liked Shrill.  

Portlanders can’t live without a sturdy tote bag for shopping at one of the city’s many independent bookstores; a warm raincoat because it’s wet six months of the year; and hiking boots for exploring the city parks. 

A perfect visit to Rose City includes coffee and a pastry at the Portland State University Farmers Market; a stroll around the Portland Japanese Garden, which is beautiful year-round; a visit to Powell’s City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world; a hike at Mount Tabor Park, built on an extinct volcanic cinder cone; and a movie at the historic Hollywood Theatre, the only venue in Oregon that shows 70mm films. 

You know you’re from Portland if you wear layers. You know you’re from Portland if you say, “I’m going to the coast.” You know you’re from Portland if you eat doughnuts. Everyone has their favorite shop; mine is Doe Donuts and Ice Cream. Try the Portland fog with organic Earl Grey glaze, fresh whip, and fair-trade vanilla bean. 

If I could transport anything from DC to Portland it would be the National Portrait Gallery and the pupuserias in Columbia Heights. But DC can keep its humidity. 

When I need a break, I go to Astoria on the Oregon coast where The Goonies was filmed. But my nest is best because I have a great community of friends and colleagues; there’s a wonderful arts and cultural scene with amazing makers; and there’s no shortage of things to do.