Marie Claire: Mais non. Marie Antoinette: Oui, oui!

I love the holiday season in the city. Everyone is out, going places. Though these folks don't look particularly happy about it, do they? Do you know that little triangle by the door on the upper level of the streetcar that says "Caution: Do Not Stand Here"? I found out why you're not supposed to stand there. You will get squished when the train turns a corner. I took this picture just before I almost got squished.

A Saturday Friday (felt like Saturday, didn't it?), in November, in Portland, without rain: C'est fantastique. We were looking for the December issue of Marie Claire Idees. I couldn't understand why I haven't gotten my copy in the mail yet (subscription). I thought maybe I'd messed something up. But they still had the fall issue at Rich's Cigar Shop and Powell's, so I guess we just haven't gotten the new one in Portland yet. I'm jonesing for that thing, big time. 'Tis the season, as mentioned.

A Benson Bubbler. Though we quenched with chai and Mexican hot chocolate.

Here's the big tree, ready to be lit. And here's the Easter Bunny. Of course. I think it's things like this that inspire the popular phrase "Keep Portland Weird." This guy would not get out of my picture. He had a sign around his neck that said "FREE HUGS." I didn't hug him, but I was giggling pretty hard, and so was the guy sitting on the bench behind us watching the whole thing. I love those moments with strangers, when you've just had the exact same experience and your eyes meet, and you've shared it. We both winked at each other, without actually winking, I think. The Easter Bunny stared at us all, with his big unblinking peepers, silently requesting a hug. I should've hugged him. But I was a little scared.

And there was a movie to catch.

We totally loved it. I'm going to see it again. Kathleen?

I'm quite willing to follow Sofia Coppola anywhere, frankly. I'll look at anything she wants to make. Don't bring a camera into a movie theater though. They'll take it away from you, as they did mine. Whoops. Then they tried to give me somebody else's after the movie. The rats! Don't take my camera. What would I do without it?

Opening day. A sweet success.

Comments

[willow]

Having been born and raised in Portland, I had a great memory lane walk along with you. The windows at Meier and Frank's and Lipmann's were the highlight of our downtown Christmas walk...Thanks for sharing Portland with me.

[stephanie s]

i am not sure you are going to want to hear this, i got my winter issue of m.claire the first couple days of november... your photos of downtown look great, especially that woman on the train in pink, she looks like she knew what was coming next...

[maria]

i saw you got a lot of comments about your lucia post, but i just want to tell you that today on the bus when going slowly through city i was looking in the shop windows from the bus and i saw the lucia and her attendants that you were writing about. just to let you know that if you want them, and wont be making them yourself or finding them somewhere else, you can always ask me and i'll get them for you. but i guess shipping costs would be lower if you find a web shop :-)

[Pam]

Love this post. I too wonder why Marie is keeping her Idees from me. Marie come on, I need your idees. Seriously.

[lauradodson]

They say that about Austin, too. "Keep Austin Weird". It's on T-shirts, mugs, bumperstickers, etc.... That's funny that Portland has the same motto. :p

[SeAnne]

I love it so much when you put up pics of Portland. I'm from there but living in San Diego, I'm moving back in 5 months and can't wait I love P-town. Your blog is great, thank you!

[Alicia A.]

Ooooo... that bunny is freaky. Once I saw a show about people who have a thing (you know, a Thing) for dressing up in mascot costumes, so he would of scared me too.

Your city is so nice. Hope to visit it one day soon.

[Susanna]

Portland is gorgeous! I love the little Easter Bunny. Oh, and I was wondering how you go about subscribing to that magazine online? Thanks!

[Beth]

Those are fantastique pictures Alicia. I just love it and wish I was there!

Okay, I do not know why you have not received your issue of Marie Claire... très étrange. I received mine like 2 weeks ago... hmmm, I know Oklahoma is NOT on the cutting edge of anything so you should of had yours way before I received mine..lol. I just love getting the magazine through the mail with Mme. Beth on it. Makes you at least feel a little more French.

Keeping my fingers crossed you get your magazine asap!

[Karin]

I love those pictures. (I also love your newly discovered blog :) I especially love the one where you are looking through the lighted tree at the city. This is going to sound weird but they reminded me of those cityscape paintings that were popular 30-40 years ago where folks would be bustling about on rainy/snowy evenings. My grandma had those and I loved to just stare at them wondering where the people where going and doing. Anyone remember those?

It is so hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it's 75 degrees here in San Diego. I love when it rains around the holidays. Even the decorated palm tree seem more christmasy.

Thanks for sharing.

[stephanie]

were you supposed to hug the bunny or the guy?

i would never brave the crowds downtown, but i'm so glad you guys did and shared it with us.

[caroline]

What atmospheric pictures of Portland - having never been they give me a sense of the place. Another city added to my 'must visit' list.

Can't wait for Marie Antoinette to open here and i agree with you about Ms Coppola.

[Anne Sheridan]

Isn't Portland the best at Christmas! And this clear, cold weather! Ooooh La La! Thanks for the wonderful pictures. I love the people on MAX trains~I just want to yell out "SMILE EVERYONE!" Wouldn't that shock them?! You must add the upcoming Doug Fir craft show to your list of To-Do's for the holidays. Coming up Dec. 10th & 17th. My first year going and I can't wait! Portland crafters ROCK!

[georgia]

i love downtown portland! one of these days i'm going to make it down there for some christmas shopping. um, the bunny kinda freaks me out though..

[Wendy]

Loved the tour, I miss Portland. I miss Seattle. I think you should have hugged the rabbit!!
Your Thanksgiving table looked like it should have been in a magazine -- beautiful

[Kim]

I never knew that Portland was such a cool city until I read your blog & saw your pics. Now I want to visit!

[Heather]

Oh, I'm so glad you liked the movie. I've been wanting to go see it and my friends that have seen it weren't very encouraging with their reviews. So, I'll forget what they said and only think how much you loved it! Popcorn is in my very near future!

[Michelle]

Thanks for the photos! I live in Portland and continually find this city to be utterly full of magic and wonderful weirdness! I work downtown and rarely do I come back from a lunch time outing without muttering the words, "Only in Portland." I love it! :-)

[Teresa Sheeley]

Portland looks like a great time during the holiday seasons. Yeah, the bunny is kinda scary, I don't think I would have hugged him either {no offense bunny}. That movie looks great! Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Storme]

everyone freaked out by the bunny check out this sweet little video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=diccc7je8tg

There's a hugging revolution going on out there!

[The Shopping Sherpa]

Thank you for sharing some Corners of your World. I always am entranced by seeing glimpses of other parts of the world and imagine being there myself.

[amy h]

I'm glad you liked Marie A! So did I. I've been wondering if you just have to be a Sofia-lover to appreciate it -- so far that seems to be the case. I get so tired of getting into arguments when people say "Lost in Translation" is a movie where nothing happens.

Your day sounded ideal! Nearly every pre-baby Saturday night my husband and I had was spent watching a movie, book-browsing and drinking warm things.

[mo]

I hugged the bunny! And I hugged the chicken he was with. There was a fantastic thing on U tube about the "Free Hugs" thing so I figured they weren't some fetish freaks looking to get snuggly with strange women around Portland. Or were they?

[Shelley (Pink House)]

Thanks again for Portland photos. It brings back good memories of my childhood days there as well. My strongest Portland holiday memories are going to Lloyd Center when they would put a big tall tree right in front of Morrow's Nut House and Meier & Frank and we would watch the ice skaters down below. Then have lunch up in the restaurant above...was it the Aladdin? anyway - it was a good memory shopping there at holiday time in kind-of-outdoors.
I don't have really good city holiday memories where I live now, other than those at home.
Also - my big weekend plan was to drag my husband to see Marie Antoinette or The Queen. But neither one opened here. So sad. What I really look forward to in M.A. are the grand photography and costuming and landscapes. Kind of like the remake of Pride & Prejudice.

[Morgan]

It looks like such a wonderful day! I am so glad you got to enjoy it!