I’ve spent the day in Salem today, and even though I’ve spent a combined total of about 14 years of my life in this town, being away five years has changed my perspective a bit. Portland is only 50 miles north, but there are still some pretty noticeable differences. Today:
- Out of a handful of errands I’ve run today, I’ve overheard two overtly Christianese conversations in public spaces. At the florist shop this morning, two employees discussed lessons one was teaching her “discipleship group” at church. Then at the coffee shop where I’m sitting now, I heard two college age friends discussing the topic of what the Bible says about church. Guy: “The Bible doesn’t say you have to go to church.” Girl: “Yeah, but it says you need fellowship!”
- Every time I use my turn signal to change lanes, the other drivers immediately make room and wave me over. People are so NICE!
- At lunch, when I asked for brown rice with my Chinese food, the server said, “Sure.” When she brought it, the “brown” rice was actually FRIED RICE. Uh, yeah. Not quite what I was going for.
- My car’s Obama sticker is alone in a sea of McCain yard signs.
