Cafe Ethnography 

The setting is very mellow. The music is mostly indie melodies, but at the same time soothing sounds. The dim lighting and the hardwood creates a mood for peace and relaxation. The red walls and chairs creates a fiery atmosphere where it is meant to have an absence of mind.

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The numerous plants and flowers are very welcoming to the customers. The windows cover the whole front wall next to the entrance. There is beautiful light entering the “glass wall” created by the large windows in the front. The seating is arranged for larger groups, but can easily be manipulated for the purpose of a single person. Obviously the location/shop smells like coffee, but it also smells like a good fragrance, more likely coming from the numerous flowers and plants. Overall the sense of Hilltop Coffee Shop is amazing and comforting. I am excited and glad to spend the next 2.5 hours here.

People come in to look for jobs. The person is in college and loves the atmosphere of the place. He is available for some late shifts, but the coffee shop seems to have a full staff.

A couple sits next to each other to read their respective books while drinking their coffee.

Customers walk in and buy their regular items for the day and quickly leave.

Women came in with sporting clothes, probably went on a run, bought an iced drink and left.

The cashier seems to know some customers as “regulars.”

A customer compliments the nice flowers by the register.

People usually walk in two’s or alone outside chatting about their day and goofing off. The three men crew, whom I am referring to as goofing off, is laughing a lot, looks like they are having a good day.

Sounds like mild traffic, some beeping of larger vehicles and normal car sounds.

Kids are coming from a sport practice, looks like soccer due to their long socks.

An older couple walked by holding each other (pretty adorable).

Some people came in to buy tea or coffee and sat down while checking their smartphones.

A young woman sat around waiting for another man (waited for a period of 7 minutes and seemed frustrated)

Met Professor O’Brien from the math department and got him to draw a mental map for me. Only thing he is not a resident, but he grew up in Portland, so I thought it would be interesting if he drew a mental map of Portland when he was growing up in the East Side. (Extra Credit, am I right?)

I have seen many individuals, usually by themselves, walking and smoking a cigarette.

Younger folks with ear buds passed by listening to music.

Bicyclists pass by on the street, but sometimes went on the sidewalk.

Road worker came in and talked to the person attending the register and seem to know each other. I guess he came in earlier and had his coffee, and now he is just checking in and chatting.

Another male individual walked by while smoking, except he was using an E-Cig.

Lastly, the shop was closing up, but lady at the front was very nice and generous and gave us the bagels and cookies that were going to be thrown out as well a free refill of coffee. What a lovely spot it has been; I am glad to have chosen the Hilltop Coffee Shop. The atmosphere is great to study or do work in, and the people running the shop are extremely nice.

Mental Maps

 

This map is very personal and the woman who drew this was very nice, but she did not want to give any information. Her map shows what she thinks of in different locations and the purpose of each location. I like her Old Port representation as”Shiny things I do not need.” She did draw on the map where she lives which is by the Deering St. Park. Her map showed me the importance of trails and paths I did not even know. Maybe these paths should be used when thinking of implementing pathways that create energy.  I am specifically talking about the “Strolling Trail”, “Back Cove Trail of Bliss”, and the “Route to a slow escape (by sea).” These are clearly important routes to this resident.

 

 

This map was drawn by a new resident; he actually moved to Portland a year and a month ago. He lives on Woodford and Forest and is 23 years old. He is from Utah and white. Most importantly he is “80% not sober.” I thought it would be interesting to see how his mental map would turn out. He had difficulty with the task, but I know he put his best effort. He labeled Blitliff’s Cafe and Preble Resource Center. I couldn’t really tell the rest, but I found it interesting overall.

 

This map pertained to a  24 year old  female who has lived her whole life in Portland. She draws the “booze alley”, the shelter on Peble St, the library, and the YMCA. She on the other hand, is “80% sober.” She also notes where the train tracks are and the importance of the Nickelodeon theater. In addition, she told me she believes bicycle routes would benefit the city the most. The oaks is also an important space for her.

 

This guy was super interesting to talk to. He is the guitar player for his band Tumbling Bones. His band is actually really good if you are into folk music check them out on spotify, soundcloud, or their website at www.tumlingbones.com. He gave me a very simple map, because he told me “Portland was one for him”/he probably could have just been lazy to draw a map, but he does show the highway, where he lives (the star), the docks, and a very accurate shape of Portland. He pointed out that musicians in Portland try to find good places to play, and they adopt well, but it would be nice to have a bigger open space. That way even first friday could be less congested.

 

This assignment was great, because I met some rally cool people. They have given me a lot to think about. Does Portland even need new infrastructure? Many of the people I met never really thought about technology; they just want more efficient space which includes more bicycle routes and parking. Other than that they feel content. Again not the most diverse group of people, but they had important inputs. I still believe that Portland could benefit from some sort of technological innovation, like energy absorbing sidewalks.