Due to the intensive and demanding nature of my studies, I rarely had the opportunity or time to travel or explore new experiences outside of campus. Therefore, when I realized that I had approximately two months of free time during the summer break, I immediately decided to visit Portland, Oregon, in the United States.

I had heard friends mention the city, although they had never been there themselves. They had visited Utah, but the name Portland had always intrigued me.

That day, I did some preliminary research and was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

Wow, this city is amazing!

It has an abundance of green spaces.

The people are environmentally conscious and enjoy cycling.

It's a hipster haven.

It boasts one of the best public transportation systems in the United States.

And the beer is delicious.

To be honest, none of these factors particularly appealed to me. However, when I considered them collectively, the city seemed like an attractive destination.

Oh, I also remembered that the cost of living in Portland is relatively low, and there is no sales tax. This was the perfect argument to present to my mother when I asked for money for the trip.

Needless to say, my mother was impressed by my thorough research and gave me the green light. I immediately contacted a travel agency, prepared my visa application, packed my bags, and eagerly awaited the day I would embark on my 20-hour journey across the ocean.

And so, my adventure began at Portland International Airport in the United States of America.

Upon arrival at Portland Airport, the first thing that struck me was its compact size. Finding the exit was a breeze, taking only a few moments.

A pair of eyes scanned the crowd for a Kaplan driver named Rez, who was supposed to be holding a sign with both the Kaplan logo and my name on it.

As I descended to retrieve my luggage, a young boy approached and inquired, "Are you Alina?" Bewildered, I contemplated who this Alina might be, as that is not my name. Consequently, I responded, "No."

At that moment, I felt a strange sense of unease, fearing that someone might be trying to deceive me. The driver didn't seem to be as young as I had initially thought. Turning my head, I noticed someone holding a Kaplan sign. I decided to ask them, " ".

"Are you Rez?" he replied in the affirmative. We then proceeded to accompany him.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at the boy, who continued to stare back at her with a puzzled expression.

I'm confused too.

On the way to our host family's house, we were very excited about what kind of host we would meet, what they would look like, and what their house would be like. It's not strange to be excited, because we believe that having a good host family makes life about 60% better during a summer program. The rest depends on how we behave. However, some people say that as long as there are no problems with the host family, that's enough. It really depends on the person.

Upon arriving at the house, the driver knocked on the door, but there was no response.

It seems like there is no one here.



We called the host with the driver, but it turned out that...

The host and their family picked us up at the airport.

At that time, I was confused as to why they picked me up, even though they should have known that the school bus was already on its way to pick me up.

"I am sorry" for wasting your time waiting for me, and the host had to waste time driving back. Rez said, "It's not your fault, it's their fault," pointing to the host's house.

We were stunned for a moment.

Upon the host's arrival, everyone rushed to greet us, shaking our hands. At that moment, a sense of relief washed over me as the host's expression did not betray any anger. Instead, they offered a friendly smile. As I scanned the room, my eyes fell upon a familiar-looking boy.

Oh, it's the child who asked us at the airport.

I understand now. When someone asked if I was Alina, it was actually the host's son.

My name is Nalina, which sounds similar to yours. That's why I answered no.

The host mentioned that they had actually prepared a welcome sign for us, but unfortunately forgot to bring it.

The host may not realize that this is our first impression.

He intended to pick us up at the airport.

And this is the beginning of the wonderful story we have with this family!


The host family consists of five people. The host dad's name is Michael.

The host mom's name is Nicole.

She has three children.

The eldest child is named Crew and is 11 years old.

The intermediary, Camille, is 9 years old.

Christian is 7 years old.

There is a dog named Daisy and a Japanese student named Kiyoka, who is 19 years old, the same age as us.

Upon entering the house, Nicole immediately led us to our bedroom. It was a comfortable room, conveniently located near the bathroom and the host's room. The children's rooms were upstairs, while the other student's room was in the basement.

While opening and closing the door, be mindful of the noise. Use a cloth to muffle the sound. Christian will demonstrate.

After settling in, Michael explained the few house rules, emphasizing self-sufficiency. For example, after finishing a meal, we were expected to wash and place our dishes in the designated area. When I inquired about the dishwasher, Michael chuckled and said, "The dishwasher? That's this guy," pointing to himself. Regarding laundry, we were free to use the washing machine whenever needed, and Michael offered to teach us how to operate it. Shower times were flexible, with the suggestion of showering once a day, either in the morning or evening, and keeping it under 15 minutes due to the large household sharing the bathroom. Finally, Michael encouraged us to freely access the kitchen, explaining the available ingredients and offering to help us prepare any desired meals.

As Nicole explained, Michael's voice interrupted, calling them to eat.

Nicole continued to explain, but Michael pouted and said, "but I am hungry."

Everyone went out to eat.

The restaurant, located near my home, served American cuisine. As we chatted and got to know each other better, Michael inquired about my origin in Thailand. When I mentioned Chonburi, he immediately searched for it on his phone, asking if that was the correct location. I felt a sense of warmth knowing that he was genuinely interested in my hometown.

After finishing our meal, we walked out of the restaurant. Christian turned to me and asked, "Are you cold?" He must have noticed me hugging my arms. I replied, "Yes." We were there in early June, and the weather was pleasantly cool, not too cold.

Upon returning home, we presented the prepared items to the host.

It is a wooden platform carved with the name "Host" and a dragon symbol. My father made it.

Michael and Nicole seem to like it. Today, this platform is placed in the kitchen.

Michael inquired, "How do you know that the name 'drake' translates to 'dragon'?"

We also said that we didn't know beforehand, but we felt good that it coincidentally matched his name.

We rushed to take a shower and go to bed because it was almost three or four in the morning. We were exhausted from the journey. Nicole said that she would take me to Kaplan tomorrow morning at seven o'clock.

On the first morning, Nicole took the bus to Kaplan School in Downtown, which took about half an hour. Along the way, he explained the different routes and told her which bus stop to take when she went home.

After school on the first day, we went for a short walk in the city and then went to a food truck for dinner. We had heard that the food trucks here were famous, so we decided to try one out.

I vividly remember ordering a roll (unspecified) and sushi from a Thai restaurant that day. The portions were incredibly generous, and I couldn't finish everything.

The fish was so pungent that it was difficult to eat. The strong fishy smell was shocking.

Additionally, there were homeless people who would stare and watch us.

Portland is very safe for us, which is probably why there are so many homeless people. I was alone, so I was scared and felt like leaving. I left the sushi I couldn't finish and the roll and decided to go home. I tried to get to the sign the host told me to, but now I'm wondering why I didn't just use Google Maps to find my way home. Why did I try to get to the sign the host told me to? That's why I got lost for so long. I went to Chinatown and other places (Chinatown, which I later learned is a homeless hangout). In total, I was lost for almost two hours before I found the bus stop. Oh well, I guess that's what happens on the first day, right? (Or is it?)

Google Maps is like a godsend for living abroad. Honestly, I'd be lost without it.

(It's incredibly helpful to us.)

Initially, we returned home early due to a lack of friends, feeling lonely. We preferred to play with the children at home.

Today, Camille and Christian are making cupcakes to eat.


Make brownies and ice cream.

Play Puzzle

The host family has a lot of board games. Nicole said that they...

"They prefer their children to play board games instead of computer games."

One day, Nicole took us, Camille and Christian, to watch the movie "Incredibles 2" at Clackamas Town Center.

The atmosphere in the cinema was similar to that in Thailand. Before the movie started, there were short films shown for about 10 minutes. When we went to see it, it was a short animation, which was cute.

The provided text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

Or we could take a walk around the neighborhood.

Our host house is conveniently located on Division Street in the southeast quadrant, a street lined with popular restaurants within a 6-minute walk, including the renowned Salt & Straw ice cream shop and Pok Pok restaurant.

Before arriving in Portland, I had read about these two shops in guidebooks. I never imagined that my host family's house would be so close to them.

Salt & Straw

This renowned ice cream shop is a must-visit in Portland. The lines are usually long.

Before purchasing, I asked the staff to let me sample other flavors, but I always ended up choosing the sea salt and caramel ribbon flavor. The flavor is intriguing, with a hint of saltiness and a touch of sweetness from the caramel. It makes me want to go back for more.

Please note: The provided text is empty. There is no content to translate.

If you provide the text you want translated, I will be happy to assist you.


This shop typically offers limited edition flavors, but it is unclear whether they are released monthly or weekly.

And there are classic flavors that are always available.


Pok Pok Restaurant

This restaurant is another famous one in Portland, specializing in papaya salad.

Chicken wings ( full menu name: Ike's Vietnamese fish-sauce wings )

This is a famous dish here, and we loved it. We've never tasted anything like it in Thailand.

We ordered the beef waterfall, which had delicious, high-quality beef, chicken wings, and papaya salad.

The price is comparable to other restaurants. Some might find it a bit expensive, but it's reasonable when shared among a group.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Typically, this restaurant has long queues. If you only want to order chicken wings, you can order them at the Thai restaurant opposite, called Whisky and Soda Lounge. It's our favorite restaurant, and it's not as crowded as Pok Pok. It's perfect for those who miss Thai food because we think they maintain the authenticity of Thai flavors very well. Whenever we're feeling bored or down, we head to this restaurant.

Our favorite menu is stir-fried clams (Clamp).

The spicy pork soup tastes just like in Thailand.

The atmosphere around Division Street.


Besides the captivating Division Street, the neighborhood surrounding my host family's residence also boasts Clinton Street, a haven for hipsters brimming with trendy shops. Nicole informed us of this hidden gem during our stroll through the area.


Today, we arrived home around three in the afternoon. Nicole told us that we were going to have a picnic at Mt. Tabor. We agreed, but the host joked that it would be a "KFC picnic" because they hadn't prepared any food. On the way, we talked about KFC. I just learned that the host family doesn't eat KFC often, maybe once a year. Camille has never even tried it before. I was shocked. At first, I thought Americans ate KFC frequently since it originated there. It turns out that we probably eat it much more often in our country.

We have arrived at Mt. Tabor.

Mt. Tabor is a densely forested mountain with a reservoir at its center. Its pleasant atmosphere and scenic views of Portland make it a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Alternatively, it can serve as a picnic spot for families on their days off, as our host family did today.

There was a bicycle race that day.

Nicole once mentioned that Michael was an avid cyclist.

A French exchange student who shared Michael's passion for cycling informed him about a cycling event from somewhere to France. The student offered to help Michael participate in the event, which greatly piqued Michael's interest and made him seriously consider attending.

However, Nicole stated that if Michael were to go, he would need to be free of work and any responsibilities. Otherwise, he would have to abandon everything to pursue a life of cycling. This served as a wake-up call for Michael.

However, Michael still enjoys cycling.

Michael invited us to shake the cheering bell for the competitors, but it seemed like only Michael was doing it.

The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

Please provide the text you want me to translate.

This Saturday is unavailable, as I have a prior engagement.

Nicole asked if we wanted to go golfing. Even though Nicole doesn't particularly enjoy golfing, the children and Michael wanted to go, so Nicole had to go as well.

We went golfing at Edgefield, a location that Michael previously described as a former school for "bad boys." Subsequently, a company purchased the land and transformed it into a golf course and brewery.

We had never played golf before, so Michael taught us and rented us clubs.

The course we played had nine holes, and everyone played except for Nicole. It was a cool, rainy day. I was carrying a bag in my hand, which was obviously not convenient for playing. Michael told Nicole to help me carry it, even though I could have easily put it on the ground and not bothered him. He wouldn't let me, insisting on carrying it for me. Sometimes, when Nicole forgot, Michael would turn to her and tell her to help me carry it, with a slight frown. I felt sorry for Nicole having to help me carry it, as I didn't want to bother her at all.

While playing, I heard the children excitedly talking about something. They said "bunny," which means wild rabbit. I had never seen a wild rabbit running around on a golf course before, and I had never seen one in Thailand. I was excited to see it with them.

Michael jokingly suggested, "Hit the bunny for a bonus!" (Who would dare to hit a golf ball at such an adorable bunny?)

After playing for a while, I realized that I am not cut out for golf. My swing is terrible, and I miss the ball more often than not.

Michael jokingly said that if he didn't want to play, he didn't have to. "

"If you don't want to play, you don't have to."

They must have noticed our awkward and forced behavior.


However, it is common for Thai children to say "okay" when they are not comfortable with something in front of adults. This can lead to adults continuing the activity, even if the child is not enjoying it.

Approximately halfway through the game, Camille appeared to become upset, suggesting that the crew had somehow overlooked her. This caused Camille to cry, and Nicole intervened to comfort her, leading to a temporary pause in the game.

After playing for a while, Christian stopped and walked away. He turned to look at the trees and flowers, then tried to take pictures of Bunny and Nicole instead.

After completing the nine holes, only Crew, Michael, and I remained. This image captures our triumph as the survivors!

After a week, the crew had to travel to Japan for a cultural exchange, which happened to be the same day Kiyoka moved out.

We haven't had many opportunities to talk, but one night we talked for almost the entire night.

And it seems like.

The topics we discussed that night are now exhausted.

Sometimes we play with the children, who seem to enjoy playing with Kiyoka. They sometimes speak Japanese together, as the children in this house attend a school with a Japanese language program.

Last night, Nicole walked over and handed us a card, saying:

"Nest, please write a message on this card for Kiyoka before she departs."

We were delighted to receive the invitation and are happy to RSVP.

The next day, as we were having our usual breakfast of cereal, we overheard Michael say to Christian:

"Ask Ness."

Christian approached and asked, "Is there anything I can help with?" We were confused and wondered what he was up to, thinking it was probably just some childish game. So we replied,

"I must depart, would you kindly convey my farewells to Kiyoka?"

Christian agreed and rushed downstairs, intending to knock on Kiyoka's door. However, Michael quickly stopped him, saying:

"Wait, Kiyoka isn't awake yet," we said, telling them to say goodbye to Crew instead.

We did not go to the airport together because we had a volleyball game with friends.


I just found out that they celebrate Father's Day here too, on June 17th. Today, the children made gifts for Michael.

In the evening, relatives came over, making it a family day. We went outside to play with the children. Today, Michael's grandchildren, Camille and Anderson, had the idea of making perfume.


Hairspray is then applied.

Upon returning home, I noticed a new student in the house. I remembered that today a new student would be replacing Kiyoka, who had just moved out yesterday. The new student, also from Japan, is named Takae and is 17 years old.

It was already evening, and Michael and Nicole were busy with their guests, so they didn't have much time to talk to Takako or explain anything to her.

Takae is a funny person, like a child to us. At school, she seems normal, but we are confused why she likes to stay in her room at home and doesn't talk to others much. Sometimes the host family wonders and consults us about why she doesn't talk to anyone. She only goes to the gym every day and doesn't want to go anywhere.

One night, I remember talking to Nicole, and she said that

"Takae shows no interest in cultural exchange, not even trying our local cuisine."

And then said.

She remains immersed in her Japanese culture, consuming exclusively Japanese media and cuisine.

This sentence about the Japanese bubble is particularly memorable because Nicole's word choice is so charming.

Or when I ask you, "How are you?"

"She consistently uses the phrases 'so so' or simply 'good' to describe things."

I barely had the chance to talk to her. I really want to grab Takae and ask her directly,

"If she never wants to talk to us, why does she want to stay with us?"

Don't get me wrong, Nicole isn't being mean. She's just joking. In reality, Nicole is very nice.

In our opinion, it is not wrong for Takaya to be like that. It may be his personality. However, our host also expects the children who come to live in his house to participate in his family. He also tries his best to fulfill his role as a host.


We have been in Portland for three weeks now.

This week, Nicole and the children have been away from home since Thursday and will return on Monday. They are visiting relatives in Idaho. Currently, only Michael, we, and Takae are at home.

Before leaving, Nicole was overheard talking to Michel. Nicole mentioned dinner, suggesting that Michel could make fried chicken. However, Michel responded by saying...

"No problem, we can eat out. One day we can choose, and the next day Takae can choose what we eat."

We caught a glimpse of Nicole looking confused.

Why? There's rice at home.

After dinner that day, Nicole and I sat down to talk as usual. We enjoyed talking to Nicole, listening to her stories. Some were funny, others were interesting. But the conversation that day was more interesting than ever before. We had been there for a while and were starting to feel like exploring other cities. So Nicole suggested that...

"Go watch the cherry blossoms in DC?"

There are many exciting things to see and do there. If I really wanted to go, his parents' house is there and I could stay with them. At that time, I didn't seriously consider it because I didn't know who to go with. If no one could go with me, I wouldn't dare to go alone.


While Nicole was away, Michael did take her out to eat, as promised. As mentioned, almost all the restaurants in the neighborhood are famous and delicious.

The first day we returned home, we didn't make it back in time. Michael took Takae to a Chinese restaurant that we didn't go to. However, there was a peak moment that day. After school that day, we went for a walk at Loyd Center with friends. Takae then messaged us on LINE.

"I forgot to bring the key. Where are you?"

Takae is currently waiting at the McDonald's located in front of the alleyway near her house.

(Reminiscent of our first week here, when we forgot our house keys and had to wait at McDonald's.)

We called Nicole to ask her to tell Michael that Takae had forgotten her house keys.

Nicole even joked, "Why don't you contact me directly instead of telling Ness and then having Ness tell me? If I go back to Thailand, will you still have to tell Ness?"

Upon returning home at nine o'clock in the evening, we found the house empty. We assumed that everyone was in their respective rooms.

We locked the front door and went into the kitchen to grab a Perrier. We heard a scratching sound at the door, which we initially ignored. However, after ten minutes, the scratching continued, accompanied by the sound of someone calling Nest's name and knocking on the back door. We went to investigate.

Michael and Takae, we opened the door for them and said,

"I apologize, but I believe everyone is currently inside the house. As a result, I have locked the door."

Michael replied, "It's alright, but please don't lock the door."

I feel sorry for Michael.

A child forgot their house key.

Another person locked the house door.

The second day, we went to a BBQ restaurant.

The third day, we went to a sushi restaurant.

Upon entering the restaurant, we waited in line for nearly half an hour. When our turn arrived, we were given time to peruse the menu before ordering. We had already decided on our choices, so I gestured to call over a waiter, as is customary in Thailand. However, Michael quickly turned to me and said,

"Don't wave, it's not good."

We apologized and said we didn't know it was forbidden to call the staff. Michael said to use eye contact. If we beckoned, it would be considered impolite. He explained that there are servers here, staff who take care of our table. They will come to us on their own, no need to call them. (This is new knowledge!)

Michael responded, "It's okay, I understand. It's just a difference in culture. When I was in France, I went into a convenience store and picked up an item to buy, but an employee told me I couldn't do that. I had to tell them what I wanted and they would get it for me. This shows that cultural differences can occur anywhere. There's no right or wrong, just knowing or not knowing. The more we experience the world, the more we learn and grow."

After finishing their meal, Michael took them to play pinball at a bar.

The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

On the fourth day, we had a program at seven in the morning to go to a sports bar to watch the World Cup. I remember that day Japan was playing, so Michael invited us to watch at Toffee Club, which was a 30-minute walk from our house! It was far!

Michael and I agreed to cheer for Japan, as the person sitting next to us was Japanese. Takae, who seemed uninterested in anything except Jim, surprisingly enjoyed cheering for the team.

I only realized it then.

As the ball was about to stop, Takae turned to ask,

"Would you like to return home by bus?"

We also said

"My apologies, I have forgotten to bring the bus ticket."

It looks sad and doesn't want to walk back. Why? I see it goes to the gym every day. It should be fit.

In conclusion, we all walked there and had to walk back.

On the way, we asked Michael that

"On this 4th of July, do you have any plans?" He replied,

"We'll probably go to our relatives' house like every year, but there are also fireworks in the city. Oh, right, I heard we're going to DC. If we go on the 4th, we should watch the fireworks there. They're amazing."

We just smiled and didn't think much of it, assuming we wouldn't actually go to DC.

In the evening, Michael took me to a burger restaurant.

After finishing their meal, they went to Salt & Straw for ice cream.

The line was very long at that time, so Michael suggested getting take-home orders.

Takae is absent because she is at the gym.


On Monday evening, Nicole and the children returned. On Thursday, the crew returned from Japan.

When we met the crew, they asked us:

"Excuse me, I apologize for forgetting your name. Could you please remind me?"

The crew was playing soccer before leaving. Did they forget something?


...After a few days, I suddenly had a strong urge to visit DC, so I reached out to my seniors and juniors to see if anyone was interested in joining me.

In conclusion, there is none.

What should I do now?

That day, I tried knocking on Takase's door and asking if she wanted to come with me. I knew it was impossible for her to come, and she didn't. She said it was dangerous.

End of news.

We wondered what to do, should we just go alone? In the end, we decided to go alone. After all, an opportunity like this doesn't come along every day.

Upon being told, Michael gave a thumbs-up.

"It was a great decision to go alone."

This gave me a little boost of confidence. Before, I had cried a little, wondering if I would really have to go alone. It was a bit sad because I had never traveled alone before. But after I finished crying, I felt motivated. I planned my trip almost every night before bed. Nicole also brought me a book about DC and helped me plan my trip because she had lived there before. So she knew a lot about DC.

Okay, we've started planning and have booked our flights for July 5th-8th.

However, securing a flight was no easy feat. We meticulously selected a flight that would allow us to sleep on the plane and arrive in DC at 6:00 AM, resulting in a hefty price tag of nearly $500.

However, the most challenging aspect is not the cost, but rather...

Payment process

The passage describes the process of using a debit card to make a payment. The author explains that they needed to call their bank in Thailand to verify their card and convert it to a visa before they could use it. The process took almost half an hour because they had to wait for the call center to connect them to an agent.

Frustration set in as the clock neared two in the morning. The task proved more challenging than anticipated, prompting us to turn to the internet for guidance.

In summary, the process can be completed online, but prior notification by phone is required. This requirement can lead to wasted time for individuals who are unaware of it.

We believe it is crucial to secure our tickets tonight. Otherwise, the price may surge tomorrow, potentially leading to sleepless nights.

After successful verification, you can now pay and finally get some sleep.

However!

The story isn't over yet. One day, Nicole came and said,

"Their parents' house is not convenient during that time. Could you please reschedule it to the 4th-6th?"

We had to reschedule our tickets, and we didn't know what to do when changing them, so we called the airline. Speaking English over the phone was very challenging. We felt sorry for them having to talk to us because we could hardly understand them, and they couldn't understand us either. Some sentences, we had to repeat three or four times.

Oh, I'm so stressed.

After we finished discussing about postponing the tickets, the payment process came up again. We provided our debit card details, but it was rejected.

We are also confused as to why this is happening, as we used this method to pay when we purchased the item and were told that it was acceptable.

You must use a credit card.

Oh no, what are we going to do now?

Do we have to borrow from Nicole? Will she lend us the money? I don't want to hang up on the employee, though, because it will be difficult to get through again.

I walked over to Nicole and asked her about it. Nicole quickly grabbed the card and handed it to me. I handed my phone to Nicole and she talked to the customer service representative. I paid a total of $34 for the replacement.

Nicole didn't mind and was happy to help. I remember how touched we were that day by how much she helped us. She also wanted us to visit DC. Tears streamed down our faces, and Nicole smiled and said it was okay.

Waking up to another day, Nicole informed me that we had to postpone our tickets again. Her mother had called and told her. I was shocked, genuinely shocked.

In her heart, she thought, "Here we go again." Before Nicole could say anything,

"Just kidding hahaha. My mom called and said she can pick you up at the airport if you want."

Whew, what a relief! I thought I would have to postpone my ticket again. I can't take it anymore with the word "money"....

( Stay tuned for updates on the Washington, D.C. story. )

The provided text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

After returning from DC, the host took me to Astoria, as he had promised before we left that he would take me there.

"It must be completed before your departure."

Astoria: A Finnish Haven in Oregon

Astoria, Oregon, resembles a small town with a rich Finnish heritage. As Nicole's host, Leena, shared, Finnish immigrants once settled in this area, leaving their mark on the local landscape. This explains the presence of Finnish shops, like the one Nicole visited today. With a Finnish mother, Nicole harbors a deep appreciation for Finnish culture and traditions.

Their day began early. Nicole drove, while Michael embarked on a five-hour cycling journey from home, arriving in Astoria by 5:00 AM.

On the way to Astoria, we crossed several bridges. We especially enjoyed the bridges in Portland, which were almost all beautiful.

Across the Columbia River

Nicole stopped the car to take a clear picture of the Lewis and Clark bridge.

Nicole said that

"This is a Lombard poplar in Portland. Since there are abundant wood resources here, it is not surprising that people here use paper bags more than plastic bags, even though paper bags are more expensive. It also helps to protect the environment."

As Nicole approached, she noticed Michael cycling on the side of the road. They stopped the car to cheer Michael on, while we were still stunned, wondering if he had really cycled all the way from home.

He then turned to ask the Crew.

"Is this his first attempt?"

Crew whispered in our ear, "

We said.

"The speaker expresses disbelief at the subject's strength, using informal language and interjections."


Look across the street.

Michael claims this is the best fish and chips restaurant in Portland (although this claim is unverified).


The cityscape in that area is charming, with beautiful buildings, mostly in shades of gray and white.

After strolling through the city, they ascended to the mountaintop.

Nicole once said that

"Americans tend to strive for the top in everything they do, such as reaching the summit when hiking a mountain. In contrast, during their childhood in Germany, they would simply follow the path and appreciate the scenery along the way, rather than solely focusing on reaching the peak."

Nicole prefers the latter option.

Michael prefers the first option.

There will be ... on the top.

The Astoria Column

One can climb the tower and throw a glider down.

Michael bought us two kites for $5 and told us to go play with the kids upstairs.

Nicole saw that we were looking confused, so she said,

"Nest, you don't have to play along. Michael is simply trying to convey..."

We just got back from DC yesterday and are still tired, so we said no thanks.

Camille expressed her fear of the tower collapsing, preventing her from playing.

(What a lovely reason.)

The view from above is breathtaking.

The crew is playing rolling.

Top view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge.

Nicole stated that it is a bridge connecting the states of Oregon and Washington. It is the longest steel truss bridge in North America.

Nicole asked, "Do you like it?"

We replied, "Of course we do."

Nicole said that

"Yes, it's not as impressive as in DC, I know."

They evoke distinct feelings and possess different types of beauty.

We noticed that there were characters telling a story on the tower, so we turned to Michael and asked, "What does it say?"

"Is there a story about the tower?"

Nicole overheard our conversation and joined in.

They claim, "Yes, they are attempting to narrate a tale, which is why this location is called Astoria."

because

tell a story

Astoria

tell a story

Astoria

a story

Astoria

haha "

Michael smiled and shook his head.

and stopped by Cannon Beach on the way back.

Cannon Beach is a renowned landmark on the Oregon coast, distinguished by its iconic rock formations, some reaching up to 32 meters in height.

This is clearly visible during the summer due to low tide.

Michael stated that the Oregon coast's advantage is its public accessibility.

The water there was so cold that we could only wade up to our shins before we couldn't take it anymore.

However, some people went down to play.

The area also has a playground for children to play in.


The urban landscape in that area

This is a candy shop.

Nicole said that she always stops by every time she comes here.

No text provided for translation.

We stopped for lunch.

And we returned home.

On the way back, we slept intermittently.

Upon waking, Nicole was seen driving instead of Michael, who was likely fatigued from his morning bike ride.

One hand on the steering wheel.

Another monster grabbed Michael's hand.

This sentence conveys that the family continues to love and care for one another.

Before going to bed, we talked to Nicole as usual. We asked her a question:

"Why did you choose to be a host family?"

Nicole smiled, and we teased her about it.

"Now, I find myself in the role of an interviewer, wouldn't you say? Haha."

Before Nicole replied,

"They want their child to experience cultural exchange and become familiar with accents from various countries, such as Thailand, Japan, and France. It's a great deal, as they don't have to travel to multiple countries; instead, students come to their home. They also appreciate students who actively participate in their family's activities."

After returning, I remember that week being very tiring. Every day after school, I would always fall asleep on the sofa, to the point where Nicole teased me about it.

"Nest, your travels are excessive!"

We awkwardly laughed it off.

"I apologize for my drowsiness. I ate a large meal in the afternoon, which has made me feel sleepy."

This week is the last week before we return to Thailand. We postponed our return ticket by a week because we wanted to visit Seattle and Las Vegas.

As a result, we had to pay an additional week's worth of hosting fees. We did not want to pay through the agent, so we contacted the host directly. The cost was approximately $240, which we paid to Nicole.

Upon returning to the room, we heard a knock on the door.

With 40 coins slipped into her hand, Nicole opened the door and said…

"Discount 40 dollars..."

We heard that the Crew was going to a Boy Scout camp, so we asked if we could go too. Nicole said it was okay, even though she hadn't invited us at first because she thought we wouldn't be interested because it seemed boring.

Upon returning, we were curious about a friend of the crew we encountered, as they seemed quite humorous.

We attempt to describe the characteristics of

"Your corpulent friend clad in a crimson garment."

Before I could finish speaking, Crew turned to face me and said,

We immediately apologized profusely.

The crew also stated that

"That word shall never again grace your lips."

We were shocked at that moment. We did not intend to offend anyone, we were simply describing the person's appearance. Moreover, we have heard American teachers at school use the word "fat" when describing people's appearance.

That night, I was very curious, so I asked Nicole.

Nicole stated that

Next time, if you're going to use the word "fat",

The crew must have floated.


This Sunday, our host took us to Mt. Hood.

A nearly two-hour drive from home, Mt. Hood is a landmark that almost everyone in Portland knows. Not only is it visible from various vantage points within the city and during flights, but its name is also ubiquitous on signs throughout the area, making it an inescapable presence.

Venture out and explore the city, where lush greenery lines the streets, creating a refreshing and inviting atmosphere.

A great deal of genuine green.

On the way to the summit, there is a National Park area where some tourists stop.

However, our host said they would go to the top of the mountain.

As they approached, Camile shouted, "Mt. Hoodie, yeah!"

We have arrived. The parking lot is below. We will walk up to the building for a picnic and eat the sandwiches we made.

No text provided for translation.

The view is breathtaking. A majestic mountain, its identity unknown, enhances the scenic composition. Below, a deer grazes peacefully, a testament to the beauty of nature.


As we helped Nicole pack, we glanced down through the glass and saw Michael and the children waving hello.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.


After finishing, we walked downstairs to get as close to Mt. Hood as possible. On the way, we passed a museum.


Take a break inside.

Michael has begun...

"Let's hike to the mountain peak."

Nicole firmly declined, stating that she was too exhausted to walk any further.

However, Michael, being Michael, invited the children and everyone to Nicole's place.

"I will wait here for you."

Michael stated that

"Don't worry, let's walk together. We don't have to reach the top."

Finally, Nicole relented.

As we walked towards the mountain, we saw Michael with Nicole, who was holding her hand.

It's a very cute picture.

We and the children went to play in the snow below. It's strange that even though it's summer, the weather in the city is hot, but when we went up to Mt. Hood, the ice was still there. The air was cool and comfortable, not like it was summer at all.


The water is extremely cold because it has melted from a glacier on the mountaintop.


People are skiing.

When Christian encountered a butterfly.


We then took a stroll through the adjacent garden.

As Michael walked back to the car, he turned to ask,

"What is your impression of Mount Hood?"

"I love it! I really like that even though it's summer, there is some snow."

Michael: "It's truly remarkable that this place experiences snowfall throughout the entire year."

“It's so beautiful.”

Michael "It is"

And then we journeyed back.


Upon our return from Vegas (stay tuned for the Vegas story soon).

This is the last night we will spend with this family.

Upon returning home around 9:30 PM after enjoying chicken wings at the Whisky and Soda Lounge with a senior colleague.

The night was pleasant, with a cool breeze. As we arrived at the house, we stopped.

Unable to resist, I reached for my phone and snapped a picture of the house.

Realizing how deeply attached I was to this house, not just the structure itself but also the people here, I wiped away my tears before stepping inside.

A sense of melancholy sets in as many experiences become their last. For instance, the final bus ride on the number 9, crossing the Tilikum Bridge on the way home.

Shared a final meal together. Went on a final outing with this family.

And I will sleep here for the last night.

I dislike this feeling. It is inexplicably sad.

As I sit here reflecting on the events that have unfolded, I can't help but marvel at how quickly time has passed.

A knock was heard at the door.

Nicole opened the door and handed me a card. It was a card that everyone in the house had helped write before she left.

No Takae items available. T^T

After reading the story, tears streamed down our faces.

We also have gifts prepared for our host family.

It was past midnight, and Nicole was the only one still awake. We usually talked until late, almost every night, and tonight would probably be the last.

We then walked to deliver the items we had made.

Upon seeing the gifts we presented, Nicole's eyes welled up with tears as she expressed her gratitude.

"Nest, your contributions have been invaluable. We wish you could extend your stay by one more night."

Upon hearing the news, I was overcome with emotion and tears welled up in my eyes. Though I cannot recall the exact words I uttered, I know they were an outpouring of my heartfelt feelings. I expressed my profound love for my family and the immense gratitude I felt for being a part of this household.

Nicole replied, "No worries. Next time you're coming to Portland, let me know in advance."

We can still meet up for chicken wings as usual.

After their conversation, Nicole excused herself to go to sleep, saying she was very tired.

"I might not be able to wake up to send you off tomorrow. In any case, I wish you good luck and a safe journey. When you arrive, please send me a message. Because Host mom, always host mom…"

We said.

"Thank you, Nicole. Goodnight. See you."

We didn't say "see you" as a formality, but we truly believe we will return to them.


It was morning, and it was time for us to leave. At six in the morning, we woke up to see Christian watching cartoons as usual. So we gave him the things we had prepared for him.

Turning around, I saw the Crew and they said...

"I'll wake up to send you off, and Camille is coming down."

And the crew said that

"We are delighted to welcome you into our home."

We were deeply moved and held back tears as we handed over the items to the crew.


Camille woke up late and left a gift for us.


Nicole is still asleep because she has been tired lately. We are secretly heartbroken because we love Nicole very much and want to see her before returning to Thailand.

As for Takae, I didn't say goodbye because I came back late last night and she was probably already asleep. She's probably still asleep this morning.

Michael and I rode together. We talked about our trip on the way. Michael said that

"This morning, I was looking at the photo album we made together. I realized that we've participated in almost all of his family's activities. You do everything. We're all so happy. If it were Takae's album, it would probably just be full of Jim, wouldn't it?"

The atmosphere in the car grew quiet as we tried to hold back our tears.

Finally, we asked Michael:

"Do the students always cry when they depart from your home?"

Michael replied that

"Frequently"

We smiled and thought to ourselves that

"No need to ask why I cry..."

By NaliJourney.

#homestay#airplane#portland#portland#eat and travel#activity#family activities#united states of america#united states of america#travel
Comments