My trip during my exchange in the U.S. has been such a meaningful experience. So far, I’ve only been to two states outside the one I live in. I’d love to travel more, but school has been so hectic that it’s hard to find the time. Still, the trips I’ve taken have been truly memorable. It’s always nice to create memories with good people, and I’m really grateful for the friendships I’ve made along the way.
Portland, Oregon
Traveling between cities in the U.S. is always an adventure, and Portland, Oregon, was no exception. It took us about 3 hours and 35 minutes by bus to get there, costing around $80 for a round trip (via Flixbus). It was a smooth ride, and soon we were ready to explore what Portland had to offer.
My first impression of Portland was that it felt a lot like Seattle, but with fewer people. The vibe was laid-back, and the streets were less crowded, which made it easy to navigate and explore.
We found a great deal on a hostel, costing around $35 per person. The hostel was very nice, clean, and even included free breakfast, which made it an even better value for our stay. Since there were five of us sharing a room, it worked out perfectly for our budget.
The first day was all about shopping. One thing that makes Portland stand out is its has no sales tax, which means everything is a bit cheaper compared to places like Seattle, where the sales tax is around 10.35%. Naturally, we took full advantage of this and spent the day browsing through stores and buying everything from clothes to souvenirs.
On the second day, we headed to the beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The park was lovely, offering scenic views perfect for a relaxed morning.
Later, we tried the famous Voodoo Doughnut. The line was pretty long, and we waited for about 15 minutes to get our hands on their doughnuts. However, I have to say, I wasn’t sure if it lived up to the hype. The doughnuts were very sweet, and while they looked cool, the taste wasn’t mind-blowing for me or my friends.
The rest of the day was spent walking around the city and chatting. Portland has such a calm and friendly vibe, and just wandering through its streets was enjoyable.
Portland was a quick and fun getaway, and I loved how affordable it was compared to other cities in west coast. Would I come back? Definitely !!
PS: I’ll include hyperlinks for all the hostels I stayed at (on the word hostel), so anyone interested can easily check them out.
Los Angeles, California
My three-day trip to Los Angeles cost me about $400, not counting the flight. The round-trip flight from Seattle to LA was $275, which seemed fair. We saved money by staying in a hostel right on Hollywood Boulevard for only $30 per person per night. For the location, it was a great deal.
When I first got to LA, my impression was that it was pretty chaotic. There was so much going on all at once. You need to be careful, especially if people come up to you offering CDs or asking you to sign something. I was glad I was traveling with a group because walking around alone at night didn’t feel safe.
On the first day, we went to Beverly Hills. It’s a nice area with luxury stores, fancy cafés, and beautiful houses. But honestly, unless you’re into shopping or looking at cool houses, there’s not much else to do. Later, we went to Griffith Park, which was really nice. We went at night, and while it was cold, the views were amazing, and it was all free. The Griffith Observatory had some cool space exhibits, and it was fun to see where Rebel Without a Cause was filmed with James Dean.
The second day was spent at Venice Beach, which was such a fun and relaxing spot. The views were beautiful, and there were lots of good Mexican food options to try. I rented a bike and enjoyed riding around while watching skateboarders show off their skills.
On the third day, we spent most of our time on Hollywood Boulevard. It wasn’t quite what I expected—some areas looked run-down, and parts of the street smelled bad. Still, there were some cool moments, like seeing a movie premiere for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. You can also catch live shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and other events at places like the Dolby Theatre and El Capitan Theatre.
For food, we didn’t have a set plan and just ate wherever we felt like it, which worked out fine since there were so many options.
Overall, LA was a mix of experiences. it was definitely a trip to remember. It had its ups and downs, but it was worth it.