Portugal- Porto - Sunday
I had the intention of making 2 stops on the way to Porto. I knew it was a little ambitious. I woke up at 6 to make the train. I walked along the water while the sun was rising. It was a great way to remember Lisbon.
By the time I reached the station I decided my plan was most certainly too ambitious, so I decided on 1 stop, Coimbra.
The train ride was nice. I slept half the time, but when I did open my eyes I saw lots of citrus and olive trees, grapes, kale (like every yard!) and livestock.
Coimbra has a really old university at the top of a hill I knew I wasn't going to traverse, but stopped through for lunch and a nice walk through town. I had a place in mind which I had found online, but didn't bother to find directions. Got off the train, walked all the way across town since there was no rush. Then I looked up the address of the restaurant and realized I ended up around the block from the place! Praise the unicorn in the sky for guiding me, it was awesome AND cheap. They were playing music by Expensive Soul, a Portuguese band I really liked.
I walked along the river back to the train station, stopping to enjoy a coffee. I was in town for all of 3 hours and heard an ambulance literally every 10 minutes.
I spent the last hour working on my Drumpf song in a secluded park. I must have looked pretty funny.
Onto Porto.
Saw a full rainbow from the train from the left and the sky looks ominous, clear skies and the sun was setting over the Atlantic on the right. Epic.
Arrived at Yes hostel. I give em 2 thumbs up. Nice staff. Family style dinner with drinks. Free shots at 11 (shot o clock). Met lots of fellow travelers. Shared port wine and stories.
Monday
I did the free walking tour. There's one in most cities. They are usually set up by younger people who have graduated with a history or geography degree who work with the hostels so you get to learn about the city, and meet more travelers. There is no set price but you should give a nice tip (I do.) Porto is full of Statues and churches. We went through the the city to the old town which was my favorite part. Narrow stairways passed old homes all decorated in different colors. You can get an idea of what it looks like by searching YouTube for "red bull trials Porto" and see GoPro shots of motorcycles riding the steps upon which I walked. Along the tour we had some great views of the city.
We ended by the Douro river and learned how the first bridge was created by attaching a string of boats from one side to the other, then covering them to make a walkway. In 1809 Napoleon invaded, people fled across the river and the bridge did not hold and many people died.
Jk Rowling lived here when first creating the Harry Potter book. There are many influences from Porto she included. I never read the book but I am familiar with the Harry Potter cape/jacket and that is what the students in Porto wear. The upperclassmen that is. Freshman get hazed. Shared lunch with some folks I met on the walk. Had a classic Portuguese sausage with veggies. It was good (not great, but good)
Back at the hostel I got into an interesting conversation with Nuno at reception and Maria of Brazil. Nuno asked me about Trump (most people do) My standard response is I don't know personally anyone who plans to vote for him and I'd like to think he is just pulling some kind of elaborate prank.
The conversation then turned to the fact that Portugal is starting to receive their first Syrian refugees. There is concern that unemployment is already high here, and among the refugees may be extremists and other shady characters. Maria says a similar thing is happening in Brazil with Bolivians. In England they have the same worries about the Polish. And we all know how Trump and his ilk feel about Mexicans and Muslims (or any non white male for that matter.)
I had to get on my soap box. I said we can't just write off a whole population as terrorists, drug dealers, and rapists. We have to realize that they are human just like us and have the same diversity. Just as a crazy or dangerous person may immigrate to your country, a crazy person may already live next door. Most mass shootings in the US have nothing to do with immigrants or refugees. The USA was "created" by refugees and immigrants.
And I have known plenty of rich white American kids who deal drugs. And they sure as hell don't get it from Mexico. I believe a majority of cases of rape are by someone familiar with the victims. And immigrants do the jobs we don't want.
If we're assholes to these people how can we expect them to react in turn. When I feel like I'm being judged I have a hard time not returning the negative vibes. I can't imagine how it is to escape poverty, oppressive governments, war, or gangs, traversing thousands of miles with no money. When I meet people who have had these experiences (which I have in the States) I am shocked by how nice they are. I'd be so fed up.
We can't live in fear, we just have to do our best every day. I look both ways before I cross the street and Still I could get hit by a car. Should we ban cars and streets? Walls don't help. Keeping people out won't help. End rant.
I met a few younger Brazilians and we started talking music. I am excited to find that they know a lot of the older musicians I am familiar with. Maria is 22 yo and is starting a vinyl collection. She has discovered they're cheap at the thrift stores.
Tuesday.
Took the train to Braga for lunch and a quick walk.
On the train ride I met Ronaldo. Nice guy who helped me translate with the ticket guy, then we spoke. He works on ferries all over Europe. Has a daughter studying in Rotterdam. He gave some suggestions on what I should see in Braga. The country side was full of vineyards, kale, and citrus. This country is so beautiful.
In Braga I had bachalou a braga, a local specialty which is cod fish and thinly sliced potatoes, olives, cabbage, garlic, and onion smothered in olive oil. The Portuguese love their cod. I enjoy it.
Now I'm chilling back at the hostel getting ready to head to the 3rd best rates airport in the world to catch a late flight to the south and pick up a car rental. My 5th flight in less than 2 weeks. I'm ready to stay on land and sea for the next few weeks.
Caio.
PS- more pics on Facebook
