Zinester’s Guide to Portland
Book Reviews | Apr 5th, 2007
Author: Nate Beaty & Shawn Granton
Publisher: Microcosm Publishing
Genre: Travel
Pages: 128
Retail Price: 5.00
Buy on Amazon.com link
The Zinester’s Guide to Portland is an informative guide to the top things to do and see in Portland, Oregon. It also provides transportation information and an honest history of the “City of Roses.”
The authors did a great job on this. The guide is an easy read, highly informative, and doesn’t drown you in all the glamour and hoopla that most travel guides dish out. In fact, I found this guide refreshingly honest.
For example, I actually lived in Portland for six months, and prior to making this trip I did a lot of research. In every travel guide I flipped through, I was given an array of lovely images of progress and scenery.
One book described one neighborhood in particular: Old Town/Chinatown. It was portrayed as a “classic” part of the city, full of night clubs, music venues, art galleries and the ever-famous Saturday Market (basically a very large flea market, held on weekends). It seemed to be a lovely spot, full of culture and activities.
When curious little me ventured into Old Town, I was in absolute shock at my discovery. The Asian population is few, and they’re buried behind blocks upon blocks of homeless men and women, lining the sidewalks. The bars and night clubs were horrible and sleazy (I was offered Meth six times on one trip to the restroom). The buildings are crumbling and worn, and the only liveliness is from the ambitious prostitutes working the bus stations.
The Zinester’s Guide actually tells it like it is. It got deep into the actual grittiness of Old Town; it was brutally honest and to the point.
The Guide also doesn’t get into the things not worth seeing, but gives you a rundown of what you’ll inevitably see if passing through certain districts. The transportation info is very clear and easy to follow (I was totally bewildered by their transit system, upon arrival). The Guide defined accurately the attitudes, vibes, and social settings of particular neighborhoods, as well as listed a decent assortment of local and inexpensive cafes and restaurants. This is definitely worth getting if you’re planning a trip to Portland.
Bottom Line: I wish I read this before I went to Portland.
Favorite Part(s):
Overall Rating:
