Letter from the editor

I believe I speak for Caravan at large when I say we couldn’t be happier to bring you our first travel issue in over a year. When we went to Los Angeles in Spring 2020, we believed that our next destination was going to be Portland, but we had no idea that it would take three semesters of remote learning and Zoom meetings to get there. Now that we’ve finally produced our first print issue since 2019, I can definitively say that this edition of our magazine was truly worth the wait.

I had many ideas of Portland before visiting — their slogan “Keep Portland Weird” brings to mind some eclectic mix of diversity, self-expression, and individuality. The ability to unify the residents of an entire city under one catchphrase felt like an oversimplification, an unrealistic goal of sorts. It took thirteen of us three days roaming around the place to realize the authenticity of that motto, and what we saw over the long weekend showed us why people fall in love with the city and all its quirks.

Along with our articles from Portland, you’ll find that our magazine has interspersed pieces about locations around Berkeley and San Francisco that we believe are harmonious with their corresponding Portland articles. Such pieces are titled “The Berkeley Connection” and are designed to allow local readers the chance to experience similar adventures without making the 600-odd mile trek to Portland. We have always produced our work with the intention of sharing it with the greater Berkeley community, and we’re excited to have you partake in our experiences this way.

As a final note, The Portland Issue marks the last edition for which I serve as Editor-in-Chief. Through the six issues that I’ve overseen, Caravan has evolved from a fledgling band of naïve creatives into a functional team that will continue to produce high-quality work even after I leave. Witnessing our endlessly talented family come together week after week and year after year gives me every confidence that this is just the beginning. With that, I bid you a teary-eyed farewell and bon voyage as you get lost within these pages. Close your eyes and make a wish at the Wishing Tree; enjoy fresh panzerotti fritti from the hands of Walter Ferrante at Bari Food Cart; explore your identity while thrifting at vintage spots around the city. I will not be bashful in saying that some of our best work is between these covers and that the city of Portland is waiting for you to discover it for yourself.

Safe Travels,

David Chen

Editor-in-Chief