{"id":2136,"date":"2024-08-30T14:51:30","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T14:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/?p=2136"},"modified":"2024-08-30T14:51:30","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T14:51:30","slug":"guide-to-portland-for-ata65","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/guide-to-portland-for-ata65\/","title":{"rendered":"City of Roses: A Guide to Portland for ATA65 Attendees"},"content":{"rendered":"

By John Wan<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo by Zack Spear<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n

WELCOME TO PORTLAND<\/b><\/p>\n

Hey there, fellow translators & interpreters! Welcome to Portland for the ATA\u2019s 65th Annual Conference<\/a> October 30 – November 2, 2024.<\/p>\n

I’ve been living in Oregon for a very long time now, and for the majority of the time in Portland. So I guess you could say I\u2019m pretty much a Portlander. I’m thrilled to share my love for this city with all of you. Portland has a unique vibe\u2014a mix of natural beauty, urban sophistication, and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re flying in, as you prepare to land at Portland International Airport, the view from the sky is truly something special. If you’re lucky enough to have clear weather and a seat on the left side of the plane, you’ll catch a breathtaking glimpse of Mt. Hood (the highest point in Oregon) standing majestically in the distance. The lush greenery sprawls out below, showcasing Oregon’s rich natural wonder. The new PDX main terminal<\/a>, which just opened in August, will be welcoming you with its impressive wood structure, mirroring Oregon’s natural beauty. This warm, inviting design perfectly captures the essence of the state’s lush landscapes. Be sure to take some pictures there!<\/p>\n

OCTOBER WEATHER<\/b><\/p>\n

Late October in Portland can be a bit of a mixed bag weather-wise, although not in a bad way. But again, as a local I might be biased. You\u2019re looking at temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s \u00b0F. Rain is always a possibility, so packing an umbrella is a good idea. Autumn in Oregon is actually my favorite time of the year, as it always reminds me of the time when I first arrived. The fall foliage will be in full swing, making the city even more beautiful.<\/p>\n

GETTING AROUND<\/b><\/p>\n

Portland\u2019s just the right size\u2014not too big, not too small. With a population of about 650,000, it\u2019s got plenty to do without feeling overwhelming. The city is very walkable and super bike-friendly, and public transportation is good, so getting around is not difficult. A 40-minute ride on the MAX light rail<\/a> (fare is $2.50) will take you from the airport to the conference venue. An Uber\/Lyft ride would take less than 20 minutes and cost between $20 – $40. While you\u2019re in the city, you can also use the shared bikes as a way to get around and tour the city. (Download the Biketown app<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

THE HUMONGOUS PARK<\/b><\/p>\n

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle without leaving the city, Forest Park<\/a> is the perfect destination. As the largest urban forest in the U.S., it spans 5,200 acres and features over 70 miles of trails. You can take a short stroll or an extended hike until you get lost in the woods. If you\u2019re also a runner, Forest Park is ideal for a trail run. I’m always amazed that I can enjoy genuine trail running right in the heart of the city. Nearby, you can find the Japanese Garden<\/a>, renowned as “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.” It offers a serene retreat with its meticulously curated landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. Also close by is the Rose Garden<\/a> (free to visit), home to over 10,000 rose bushes. Together, Forest Park and its neighboring gardens offer a delightful natural escape right in the heart of the city. Oh, by the way, Portland is also home to the smallest park in the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

POWELL\u2019S CITY OF BOOKS<\/b><\/p>\n

Powell\u2019s City of Books<\/a> is a must-visit in Portland. This iconic bookstore takes up an entire city block. The knowledgeable staff can help you find whatever book you\u2019re looking for. Even if you\u2019re not buying books, it\u2019s a cool place to explore and get lost in for a while, as it holds the title of the largest bookstore in the world, if I\u2019m not mistaken. The coffee shop inside is a perfect spot to relax, read, or simply people-watch.<\/p>\n

FOOD CART SCENE<\/b><\/p>\n

Portland\u2019s food cart scene<\/a> is legendary. You\u2019ll find food carts all over the city serving up a world of flavors\u2014you\u2019ll never run out of options. It\u2019s a delicious and affordable way to experience Portland\u2019s diverse food culture. Each food cart pod offers a different mix of cuisines, so it\u2019s easy to find something that suits your taste. The variety and quality of the food carts have made them a beloved part of Portland\u2019s culinary landscape.<\/p>\n

NO SALES TAX<\/b><\/p>\n

Shopping in Oregon comes with a nice bonus: no sales tax. For a local shopping experience, I suggest going to the PSU Farmers Market<\/a> and the Portland Saturday Market<\/a>. The PSU Farmers Market offers fresh produce and homemade products, while the Saturday Market is the largest continually operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the nation, featuring unique handcrafted items and delicious food.<\/p>\n

BEER AND COFFEE CULTURE<\/b><\/p>\n

Even non-drinkers like me know that Portland is famous for its craft beer scene, with God knows how many breweries in the city. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s something for every beer lover. If you\u2019re more of a java person, Portland also boasts a robust coffee culture, with numerous independent coffee shops and roasters<\/a> serving up expertly crafted beverages. You won\u2019t have to settle for the ubiquitous coffee chains.<\/p>\n

INSIDER TIPS<\/b><\/p>\n

For more tips on enjoying Portland, check out the \u201cProject Portland Potpourri<\/a>\u201d guide by OSTI (Oregon Society of Translators & Interpreters). It\u2019s got more recommendations and insights from your local colleagues who know the city best. Be sure to check it out.<\/p>\n

AGAIN, WELCOME!<\/b><\/p>\n

As someone who\u2019s called Portland home for more than two decades, I\u2019m excited for you to experience Portland. I hope you have an amazing time. Welcome to Portland, and enjoy your stay!<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

Based in Portland, Oregon, John Wan has been a court interpreter since 2009. He became a Certified Mandarin Interpreter in Oregon, Washington, and California after passing the court certification exam in 2014. Since then, he has gained significant experience interpreting during lengthy trials and depositions. John is also qualified to interpret in Federal Courts and Immigration Courts.<\/p>\n

Originally from Taiwan, John completed his college education and military service before pursuing graduate studies at Oregon State University, where he earned a master\u2019s degree in Statistics. With over 20 years of experience as a software analyst\/engineer in the IT industry, his technical background complements his interpreting skills, enabling him to excel in providing high-quality remote interpreting services.<\/p>\n

John currently serves as the membership chair and website administrator for the Oregon Society of Translators & Interpreters (OSTI), where he is also a former board member. He is an active member of the American Translators Association (ATA), the National Judiciary Interpreters & Translators (NAJIT), and the Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society (NOTIS).<\/p>\n

For the latest updates, John’s profile is available on LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jwanchinese<\/p>\n

Edited by Fang Sheng and Sijin Xian.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By John Wan Photo by Zack Spear on Unsplash WELCOME TO PORTLAND Hey there, fellow translators & interpreters! Welcome to Portland for the ATA\u2019s 65th Annual Conference October 30 – November 2, 2024. I’ve been living in Oregon for a very long time now, and for the majority of the time in Portland. So I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":2137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2136","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ata-annual-conference","8":"entry"},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/zack-spear-ZB_Ns0hVZNk-unsplash-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2136"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2141,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136\/revisions\/2141"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/CLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}