Portland certainly has a different look then back when I was growing up. Back then you'd have quite a hunt on your hands to find a non-white family living within the city. These days Portland is really what might be described as a melting pot of cultures and faces. I had an an interesting conversation Sunday morning with the woman on the left. She and her daughter were out looking for a place of worship. They were looking for a Catholic Church, but we were standing in front of the First Parish Church on Congress Street. The service was still a half hour away, but the front doors were welcomingly open and the lights were on already. I suggested that they climb the stone steps and take a peek. As I moved on, that's exactly what they were doing. I think I might have found a couple of new members of the congregation.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Morning Stroll
Portland certainly has a different look then back when I was growing up. Back then you'd have quite a hunt on your hands to find a non-white family living within the city. These days Portland is really what might be described as a melting pot of cultures and faces. I had an an interesting conversation Sunday morning with the woman on the left. She and her daughter were out looking for a place of worship. They were looking for a Catholic Church, but we were standing in front of the First Parish Church on Congress Street. The service was still a half hour away, but the front doors were welcomingly open and the lights were on already. I suggested that they climb the stone steps and take a peek. As I moved on, that's exactly what they were doing. I think I might have found a couple of new members of the congregation.
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Just like in Haninge. When I grew up everyone looked like me, today we have people from all over the world living together.
ReplyDeleteGood on ya, Birdman.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's a wonderful picture too.
Well, I grew up in the melting pot of Chicago, then moved to the pressure cooker of Israel.
A trip to Norway was my first time to see a country where everyone looked alike and spoke the same language. But that visit was in the 70s.
Nice shot Birdman, it's always more interesting I think, people from all over the world!!
ReplyDeleteA very fine shot. And very interesting topic of discussion.
ReplyDeleteSeems like many cities now look very different from when we were growing up: populations are more diverse, markets look different, and schools reflect how citizens have changed. St. Paul has one of the highest number of both Hmong and Somali people in the US. I have found, tho, that I am always denied a chance to photograph the Moslem women; they just don't want to be photographed. The Hmong are very pleased to have their photo taken. I've posted several in the past. I love this view of the women you photographed., esp. the woman on the left with the beautiful scarf. I'm curious if they knew you were snapping them?
ReplyDeleteThoughtful post, just the way I like it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, the demographics seem to be changing everywhere. I hope this will lead to better understanding of cultures worldwide. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo. I love the scarf. Tokyo is now very diverse also. There's never a day without seeing a non-Japanese person. And some of them have probably been here longer than I have :-)
ReplyDelete"The times, they are achanging"
ReplyDeleteWonderful capture! I guess street scenes are very different everywhere, Birdman.
ReplyDeleteNice capture....and interesting conversation you had with mother and daughter.
ReplyDeleteGood. But sort of startling. I wouldn't have expected Catholic.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite interesting. I, like most viewers, probably thought they were Muslim. Good that you engaged them in conversation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others about their faith. I too thought them Muslims. Good that you chatted with them. I'm pleased that they found a warm welcome at your church. After all, that is what we are called to do, but so often that's not the case.
ReplyDeletewhat a nice reminder, that it is the 'inside' that counts.
ReplyDeleteplease have a good new month.
daily athens
A gorgeous photo. I miss the diversity from living in a city. That and the food...
ReplyDeletebless you for talking to everyone :)
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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I truly enjoyed reading through all your latest post but this one is very special. Local life at its best.
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