I stand there dumbstruck for about thirty minutes, just staring out into the blue void. When I finally regain my senses, I notice that this area is as densely populated as any of the main streets. There are people sitting on the benches sipping espresso and reading paperbacks. There are people standing against the rail, taking in the view. There are people striding through without a second glance.

I rush to a nearby payphone and call my friends. When I stumble over myself trying to explain to them what I’ve discovered, they are puzzled by my excitement. Of course the end of the world is in Portland. Right there on the corner of 5^th and 8^th. It’s a major tourist attraction.

I tell them I don’t understand. Even if the world really is flat and has an “end”, how could it be seen from the middle of Oregon’s landmass? What about the coast? What about the Pacific Ocean? My friends try their best to clarify this for me, but their explanations are vague and confusing, and I can’t seem to grasp the concept. Eventually they give up and tell me to just look it up sometime. Right now there are more pressing concerns, like dinner.

They pick me up at the entrance to the alleyway and take me to a low-budget Indian restaurant. We eat curry and talk about the Superbowl.

~~~