[caption id="attachment_5954" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Portland&#39;s Alphabet District"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060015.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5954" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060015-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

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I'm one of those people who is perfectly fine venturing out on the town on their own.  There's something really freeing about doing whatever you want whenever you want.

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When I booked my stay in Portland for The World Domination Summit, I included a couple of extra days for exploring the city which I had never visited.

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On Saturday night, I received a hot tip from a local:  Get thee to the historic Alphabet District where there are reasonable boutiques (key word:  reasonable), cafes, etc.

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After awaking from my post-conference coma, I boarded public transit for a bit, walked for a bit (to boost my way up to my 10,000 steps a day), and arrived at my charming destination characterized by tree-lined streets and old homes converted into shops.  Darling.

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I headed straight to the Portland Bagel Co. for a delish bagel and some authentic Portland coffee.  As it turns out, my Knight in Shining Armor accompanied me.

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[caption id="attachment_5955" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="My Very Own Knight in Shining Armor.  A little to quiet for me though.  I like my men extroverted."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060012.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5955 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060012-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

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I then waltzed my way in and out of boutiques.  Of course, my first stop was here:

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[caption id="attachment_5957" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Missing Little Miss B"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060016.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5957" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060016-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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Because Little Miss B needed another toy.  Her basketful at home is not enough.

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And then Eleanor commented about earrings the other day, so that was my cue that I needed more.  So I sprang for a couple pair as a Portland memento.

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And then, since I'm not a shopper except for brief periods of addiction, I was knackered and needed to refuel.  So I stopped at Papa Haydn's which came highly recommended by the same Portland local with the hot tips.

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I chose the Strawberry Rhubarb Tart which was quite the attention-grabber.

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[caption id="attachment_5956" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="What exactly is the nutritional profile of rhubarb???"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060017.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-5956" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P6060017-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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The woman also dining solo next to me remarked on it's luscious appearance.  You know how I am.  I immediately started cracking jokes about how this enormous tart was downright healthy because I had not yet eaten a fruit or a veggie that day, and now I was getting 2 of my 5 a day in one fell swoop!

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Solo Woman aka Sharon burst into laughter as did the two women sitting next to her.  When their "slice" of chocolate cake arrived (I swear it must have weighed 2 pounds), I encouraged them to ignore the size and focus on the high anti-oxidant content of the chocolate.

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Before I knew it, I found out that my newfound dining companions were kindred spirits not only in love of sweets and humor, but also in the arts.  Sharon is a writer (who published a book on Sedona, Arizona!!!!), and and are famous Portland Blues Vocalist Goddesses.

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By the end of our "meal", we were sharing photos of our pets and exchanging business cards and hugs.

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Do you ever venture out on your own?  Have you encountered any happy coincidences?  If so, please share your story in the comments below!

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