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Oporto
Ah, Porto, where the utterly confusing conglomeration of narrow, cobblestone roads network together, somehow, to make up this stunning city connected to (yet somehow removed from) the rest of the world. I discovered it is substantially cheaper to take several small bus/train trips from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto, meeting the same bus in Vigo, Spain that had left from Santiago de Compostela for the last leg of the journey. First impression seemed much like Basque country, but on closer examining discovered the sun is a bit hotter, the gulls are excruciatingly louder/larger/stupider, and the language is relatively different, though much of it is understandable. Also worked on toning my musculature by lugging my rucksack and always walking uphill, it seemed.
LOVE the buildings in Portugal covered in
Azulejos, hand-painted tiles often ornamenting the outsides and sometimes the insides. Somehow, with my less-than-magnificent navigational skills, I managed to locate my hostel without a proper map (my hand-scratched one on scrap paper was less than helpful) nor asking directions! And was amazed at the driving in Portugal; such narrow roads barely fitting one car, weaving and curving constantly between tall rock walls and buildings. I only found the
Oporto, Portugal
The view from one hill I'd ascendedsmashed remnants of a taillight once! And people will parallel park on the sidewalks then begin another row beside that but in the middle of the road- and no one paid any mind to this system. Even when the traffic was at a complete standstill, and the drivers of the unoccupied cars finished their shopping inside, people sat and waited patiently for the cars to be moved..
Then wandering the center, checking out the main buildings/churches of interest. Followed a very drunk man I had seen several times singing/yelling at the top of his lungs, staggering around the streets, trying to get a photo of him but pretty unsuccessful (causing me to abandon any dreams of becoming a detective or stalker). Many places were closed so I ate at some cafe place a "German Sausage" meal which turned out to be canned hot dots, an egg, and about a dozen chips. Luckily, I was not fooled by the system in Portugal dining where they put out bread, cheese, olives before your meal without mentioning they charge you for it until you get the bill! Tricky...
The hostel ("Steps Hostel" as it was strategically placed mid-way on treacherous, narrow,
steep steps) had the best breakfast I've had yet! And a machine to grind up coffee beans, oh heavenly meals.... Met some other travellers and joined their party to
Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of Rio Douro, to Taylor's Port Lodge for a tour on the winery and a few free samples of Porto wine! I was completely ecstatic when I found a decent-sized market near the hostel, which completely upped my spirits (you have to enjoy the little things).. Then I came cm's away from being struck by a car moving very quickly. That would have made a fun story.
Lisboa
Went on to Lisbon .. but that was such a ridiculous effort, as many of the trains were on strike, but no one really knew quite which trains/stations/destinations were affected. After an aggravating and unhelpful conversation with information at the ticket window, being told they weren't sure which of the stations were going to Lisboa, if buses were running, when the trains would go.. the only advice I was given was to stay at that station and wait and MAYBE in a few hours the trains might go.. maybe. Luckily I met two guys
Along Rio Douro
Oporto, Portugal (one spoke Portuguese) who discovered the "secret bus" that left from a park bench that could get me to Lisboa for the same price (although everyone else swore it was over twice the price as trains!) So I took that bus, utterly grateful for the whole right-place-at-the-right-time situation (I'm always where I need to be😊)
In Lisbon; wandering the city, pretty plaza areas, found an Asia-area with loads of cheap markets and shops. Then taking the infamous
Tram 28 rollercoaster ride through town... coiling in terror at all of the incredibly close collisions of pedestrians, parked cars, driving cars, and businesses that seem inches from the tram line! People would even park their cars on the tramline that is going down-hill! So there was lots of brake-slamming and waiting in the tram but interesting all the while. Walked on to the
Tower of Belém and tried an orgasmic pastry at
Pastéis de Belém of an egg-custard pastry of the same name. Nearby was a car race/showing off of various sports cars that I wasn't particularly interested in but the people-watching... especially laughing at all the men who were full of raging testosterone at the cars and engines, then suddenly
Rio Douro
Fancy a tourist sight-seeing trip on the river? seeing girls in tight, tiny clothes standing by old showcars, causing a chain reaction of nearly tripping on themselves to take photos on their camera phones! So I took pictures of the men loud and excited over the races suddenly becoming very primitive and drooling, taking pictures of all the babes on muscle-cars. Made my day.. until I became annoyed that the public transport was all off because of the car show, I had to stalk people and buses to find where they were detoured and leaving from. Then only getting slightly lost with a minor detour around the city but eventually finding myself again. Enjoyed the sounds of dusk: being very loud obnoxious seagulls squawking for hours over the sounds of children yelling and gallivanting outside, whilst their parents sat and chatted in plastic chairs under verandas of restaurants overlooking the river and sunset, watching life go by. Life in Portugal.. 😄
And as this entry is already quite long and over due and I have loads of pictures, I shall cut it short here and finish on another entry; so until next time...
^Út Í Óvissuna^
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