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I spent the last 5+ years of my life telling outsiders I lived in Seattle, when the truth of the matter was I had not actually lived in Seattle since 1998.  So what if there's a lake between me and the city?  I considered myself a Seattleite who lived in Bellevue or Redmond out of necessity.  Seattle was my home.

When Sweetie and I moved South we were moving to Portland.  Yes, our house was going to be in the 'Couv - again, necessity required it - but Portland would be home to me.  I probably make my way into Portland at least four times a week - way more than I ever went into Seattle.  I am a Portlander!

Yet, while traveling  this past week, when people asked where we were from, my mouth would stick when I'd try to say "Portland, Oregon."  Because I'm not from Portland, Oregon, anymore.  I'm from Vancouver, Washington, just outside of Portland.  And you want to know a secret?  I kind of like it.  Now that I've got to know Vancouver a bit, and there really is a cool side to this town of mine.

Of course, I still said I was from Portland, Oregon, most of the time, because no one's heard of Vancouver, Washington, and sometimes it's a lot better to go for the easy answer than to have to explain yourself.

Comments

[Fawn]

Yeah, half the time folks haven't even heard of Portland--and they are little sketchy on Oregon--especially if one travels outside the U.S.

Last summer in Europe, we had to explain we were from "north of California." Even being recovering Californians, we felt a little indignant.

Of course, being Americans, our language skills and geography knowledge were, at best, a little lacking, so we really couldn't be upset.

[Fawn]

Yeah, half the time folks haven't even heard of Portland--and they are little sketchy on Oregon--especially if one travels outside the U.S.

Last summer in Europe, we had to explain we were from "north of California." Even being recovering Californians, we felt a little indignant.

Of course, being Americans, our language skills and geography knowledge were, at best, a little lacking, so we really couldn't be upset.