Oregon Coast Global Getaway
By FIUTS Facilitator Kevin Sander
If you aren't drinking a local brew, you are wrong. Glass bottles are better placed in art projects than they are with the rest of the recycling. Roasted marshmallows are just as good on a cold, soggy night as any other time. These are some of the things we learned from the Oregon Coast.
Some German universities really do have strong school spirit. Buddhism encompasses many nondenominational systems of personal beliefs, some of which run counter to the canon of the traditional, main branches. Roasted platanos con queso fresco are absolutely delicious. These are some of the things we learned from those we went with.
Twenty-two of us from ten different countries set off for the weekend beach getaway of Seaside and the mix of the salty sea breeze and some strong personalities made for some good chemistry. Our SUVs were filled with lively chat and debate all the way down to the coast and it didn't end until we separated at the Burke Museum two days later.
Our first day was filled with exploration, first of Astoria, then of Seaside. In Astoria we found an array of delicious lunch spots and a waterfront worth wandering. Our time there was spent discussing the local history and culture and explaining why the local treat of fish & chips at Bowpicker wasn't just fast food.
After Astoria, we reunited in downtown Seaside. Seaside's main strip would be instantly familiar to anyone from beach towns of the east coast and south, but we figured that few from those places would as bravely face the Northwest sea as the kids we saw frolicking in sixty degree weather under clouds. For dinner we gathered at the Seaside Brewing Company where we could sample local and seasonal beers all while playing Jenga.
On our second day, we hit the road to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The place was packed with eager cheese lovers like it was an amusement park - a sight somewhat inscrutable to our international party. Trying to explain how cheese could inspire such fanaticism proved difficult, but at least everyone agreed that it was a unique experience.
The rest of our Saturday was spent exploring various beaches and points of interest along the coast before we eventually found ourselves back at Seaside for a bonfire. Everyone brought things to roast and share, so the variety was quite impressive. We had everything from plantains and corn cobs, to chicken legs and oysters, to more standard American fare of hot dogs and marshmallows. It rained sporadically, but it didn't seem to faze any of us who were too busy discussing culture, religion, sharing stories, and enjoying good company to notice.
During the morning of our last day we split up to explore more beaches, go kayaking, or do some shopping in town. We met up again at Fort Stevens near Astoria before we had to head back to the Burke. We climbed all over the old WWII fort and took in the scenic landscapes around us in the sun. We lingered for as long as possible as none of us quite wanted to leave the park or each other, but sure enough we forced ourselves to get back to Seattle and return to normal life.
The Oregon Coast is a getaway home to so much of what makes the Northwest special: rainy beaches, picturesque landscapes, local cuisine and beverages, and a people that are intensely proud of it all. Through FIUTS, we were able to experience this unique region through dozens of distinct lenses reflecting the diversity of our perspectives.
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