To market

Portland is home to the amazing Saturday Market (the largest continually operating outdoor arts & crafts market in the nation!) and it had been way too long since we'd been (like since our first time living in Oregon--yeesh!), so when I was making plans with my new-old friend, Alexis, it seemed the perfect time to visit.

The morning had been cool, windy and cloudy but by mid-day, it was just about perfect and we were not the only ones to enjoy our lunch on the warm grass, in earshot of the lively band, but out of earshot of the sidewalk preacher with a microphone--sorry, man.

Alexis and I met when traveled to Oaxaca and the US/Mexico border in 2008 to learn more about the reasons so many were leaving to go north, the impact of all that migration on local communities, and the amazing ways that grassroots organizations are resisting and creating alternatives to migration. Alexis was working with Witness for Peace then and was one of two amazing delegation leaders who served as our guides and interpreters and shared honestly about their experiences living in Oaxaca. So this spring, Alexis and her husband, Lalo, a Oaxaqueno, moved to Portland, and I was excited to see her again for the first time a few weeks ago!

With an ever-changing soundtrack we passed by countless street musicians, we had a great time visiting and slowly meandering through the crowded rows of booths, examining local, handmade jewelry and clothing, gazing at every imaginable kind of art, and smelling homemade soaps. You can sample avocado oil, have your palm read or your caricature drawn, or try on strange headware at Spoonman Creations (Un)Ltd. I know you've always wanted to look like your head has been impaled by some salad tongs.

It's also possibly the best place in the world to people watch. In addition to the sparkling silver statue man who is always entertaining, we saw a posse of teenage girls walk by in dresses made of newspaper and several people with giant snakes wound around their shoulders. And we weren't even trying.

Here we are back at Alexis and Lalo's place.

And here we are with other delegation members in Tucson at the end of our 75-mile Migrant Trail Walk in 2008. A powerful experience to have shared.

I am really happy to have these friends nearby.