Porto: Rain, Rum, and Seriously Weird Vibes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 21.19 degrees, feels like 21.82, humidity’s clinging to me like a damp towel - 94%. Pressure’s sitting at 1014, which is…fine, i guess? I landed in Porto yesterday, and honestly, it’s a sensory overload in the best, most unsettling way. It’s like someone took a bunch of old buildings, splashed them with color, and then just let the city breathe. And breathe it does - a humid, salty breath of the Douro River.
I’m staying in this tiny little place near Ribeira, which is basically a chaotic explosion of restaurants and bars. The air smells like grilled sardines and something vaguely floral that i can’t quite place. My neighbors? Let’s just say they’re…enthusiastic. There’s a guy who plays the accordion at 6 am every morning, and a woman who yells at pigeons. It’s…a lot. If you get bored, Lisbon is just a short drive away, apparently. Someone told me that the Time Out Market is a must-do, but also that the lines are insane. I heard that from a guy who looked like he hadn’t slept in a week and was wearing a fez. Take it with a grain of salt, obviously.
I spent the afternoon wandering around the Luís I Bridge - seriously impressive, especially when it’s raining. The rain here isn’t gentle, it’s like someone’s turned on a sprinkler system set to ‘aggressive.’ I ended up buying a ridiculously oversized yellow raincoat from a street vendor. It’s probably the most stylish thing i own, and i’m not saying that’s a huge compliment.
Then, i stumbled upon this tiny, unmarked bar tucked away in a side street. It was called ‘O Buraco’ - literally ‘the hole.’ Inside, it was dimly lit, filled with locals nursing glasses of something dark and potent. The bartender, a grizzled old man named Manuel, didn’t speak much English, but he poured me a shot of aguardente and a glass of vinho verde. It was…intense. I think i might have accidentally insulted his grandmother.
Manuel just grunted and pointed at a faded poster advertising a local football team. I think he was saying ‘you’re welcome.’
I’m trying to document everything, but my camera’s battery died about an hour ago. I’m relying on my phone, which is already threatening to overheat. Here’s a quick gear list, because i’m apparently obsessed with organization:
Raincoat: (obviously)
*Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
*Portable Charger: Seriously, don’t leave home without it.
*Phrasebook: Google Translate is your friend, but it’s not always accurate.
*A healthy dose of skepticism:* Especially when it comes to local advice.
I’m planning on checking out Livraria Lello tomorrow - apparently, it’s one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. I’ve heard it’s ridiculously crowded, but i’m willing to fight for a photo op. I also want to take a boat trip down the Douro.
Seriously, this city is weird. Like, delightfully, wonderfully weird. It’s not polished or pristine, it’s just…real. And i’m kind of digging it. I’m also pretty sure i’ve developed a slight addiction to pastel de nata. Don’t judge me.
I’m off to find another cafe and attempt to decipher the local dialect. Wish me luck. And maybe send coffee. Seriously. Check out some more Porto adventures here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g190922-Porto_Portugal-Vacations.html and https://www.yelp.com/directory/Porto for some local eats.
Someone told me to try Francesinha - apparently, it’s a local specialty. It sounds terrifying, but i’m willing to give it a shot. Just…don’t tell me what it is.
And if you're looking for more off-the-beaten-path stuff, this local board is pretty good: https://www.reddit.com/r/porto/
Okay, i’m going to go stare at a wall now. Bye.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/london-where-history-meets-traffic-and-expensive-pints
- https://votoris.com/post/is-stockholm-familyfriendly-parks-schools-and-safety
- https://votoris.com/post/mecca-the-heat-the-crowd-the-history
- https://votoris.com/post/so-paulo-a-digital-nomads-messy-love-letter-to-chaos
- https://votoris.com/post/palermo-living-a-chaotic-budget-breakdown-for-real-humans