Visitor's Guide 2018

GREG JUKINS Deckhand

KIFAH ABDULLA Artist / Poet

I can see why visitors come— Greater Portland is a good pace because there’s a lot going on, but it is always changing. Visitors are amazed how compact everything is… there’s lots to do so close by and everyone is friendly. The water is my favorite thing about this area. I am from upstate New York, outside Albany, where we don’t have water like this—I love the ocean! I first came here to attend Bates College. After I graduated I started working at Casco Bay Lines, and once a full time position opened up, I took it. The pace is perfect… if it was always busy or always slow it wouldn’t be enjoyable, but the seasonal visitors keep it fun. I work a lot. But in my spare time I’m outdoors playing soccer or at the beach. My favorite island in the harbor is Long Island because it is nice and quiet, it’s a great place to walk around, and there’s a nice beach most people don’t know about.

I consider myself equally a poet and an artist, but large- scale paintings, eight feet or larger, are my passion! I also teach Arabic Calligraphy as an art form at Maine College of Art. I moved directly to Portland as a refugee from Iraq because my two sons are here—now it’s my new home- town. I was a prisoner of the Iraq-Iran war for eight years. I became a U.S. citizen on September 16, 2011 and enjoy Greater Portland because of the people, the painting, and writing, and that it is a small city—a visitor can walk easily and discover many interesting things in one place. We have the Arts District centered on Congress Street with the Portland Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, galleries, Portland Public Library, theaters etc. Incredible bars and restaurants put Portland among the top U.S. cities. And of course, I love the beautiful geography and climate.

KATE ALDRICH Mezzo-soprano

I really like Portland and I do not see myself moving from here. I came here with my mom a year and half ago because Burundi was no longer safe. My sister, who came four years earlier, told me how great Portland is and I’m glad I decided to come. I am benefiting from the education that I am receiving here, and I’m honored to work at Coffee By Design, an amazing coffee shop! I love my work because I get the opportunity to serve and talk to a lot of wonderful customers. Most people are surprised by the weather—people come to Maine for skiing in winter. I like it, too! It was a game changer for me—I never knew snow before I moved here from Burundi. I enjoy listening to songs and dancing, and reading is also something I enjoy doing in my free time. Portland has the best coffee shops and so many beautiful things. MBONIMPA EARL-DADOU Barista

Audiences in Greater Portland are so enthusiastic and have such appreciation for classical music, which makes it a pleasure to work here, beyond being able to work at home (which in my field is a luxury!). As a freelance opera singer, I travel around the world, and after years based between Rome, Italy and New York, my husband and I decided to “come home” to Maine for our daughter. It’s nice to be able to absorb all that Portland offers without having to deal with insane traffic, subway crowds, and packed streets. Yet, we are strangely busier living here than in the larger cities. I think most are surprised that for such a small metro area, Portland is so progressive, with many aspects that you could only hope to find in a big city—you can get around town with ease, but you have the amazing restaurants, shops, and experiences that usually only a big city affords.

PHOTOS, FROM LEFT: COY GUTIERREZ/LINDA KATE LOBSTER; VISIT PORTLAND/ROBERT WITKOWSKI (2); COURTESY OPERA MAINE/KATE ALDRICH; VISIT PORTLAND/ROBERT WITKOWSKI

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