Friday, June 05, 2009

Pacific Northwest - Day 3

All morning, all afternoon, waterfalls. The Historic Columbia River Highway has got more waterfalls than it knows what to do with. Most can be seen right off the highway, but a few require a bit of a hike. Multnomah Falls takes the cake. It's the most famous and also the most touristy (with a restaurant and gift shop) but for good reason. It's impressive enough in a photograph, but staring at it close up with the bright green foliage, and the bridge is all kinds of wonderful. I did the steep hike to the top, which left me struggling for breath, but the view looking down would have caused that anyway.

By the time I was done inspecting every fall I could locate, my body was all shaky with fatigue. I hadn't slept much the night before, what with the bikers waking up earlier than should be legal and waking me up with them. So I decided to take a break from hostels and grabbed a hotel room near Portland. Then it started to rain, and the wind picked up and soon it was full-on storming. Can't say I was upset to be snug in my room, watching it all drip down the windows.

I caught up with the job search, which has been become a steady routine of applying and having my efforts sucked into the black hole which is the internet. Did get this email, however, from a summer job I applied for in Switzerland:
-----
We have received an overwhelming amount of applications and unfortunately the position was filled today. Your portfolio is great, and to be honest the work we have to offer on this project is too junior (and quite dry) for someone with your talent. As we do like your style very much - we are keeping your portfolio on record for future projects. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to work together in the future.
-----
That was very nice of them -- BUT, I don't think I would have cared if the work was dry. They were paying free flight, free housing and a stipend for a summer in Switzerland. At least they got back to me, which is more than I can say for everyone else, even after a great interview (ahem, ABC4, ahem).

So the search continues. But for now, Portland awaits.













1 comment:

Courtney said...

Those waterfall pics remind me of time I spent in Switzerland. So jealous of all the beautiful things you are seeing and not having to answer to a time clock. Hope you're having a GREAT time.