Porto: Rain, Rum, and Seriously Weird Vibes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. i landed in porto yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a lot. the air smells like salt and something vaguely floral, like someone’s grandma’s closet. it’s 27.89 degrees, feels like 29.18, temp min 27.89, temp max 27.89, pressure 1013, humidity 59, sea level 1013, grnd level 956. yeah, that’s the weather. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
porto is like, aggressively beautiful. crumbling buildings draped in ivy, tiny bridges arching over the douro river - it’s the kind of place that makes you feel small and slightly overwhelmed. i’m staying in this little hostel near the ribeira, which is basically a chaotic explosion of restaurants and bars. it’s loud, it’s crowded, and everyone’s spilling wine. i’m already regretting not packing a bigger bag.
I stumbled into this tiny bar last night - ‘O Buraco’ - and someone told me that the vinho verde is the only thing you need to survive the rain. i took their word for it. it was… green. really, really green. and surprisingly potent.
Speaking of rain, it’s constant. like, a gentle, persistent drizzle that just refuses to let up. it’s actually kind of cozy, if you’re into that sort of thing. i’m trying to capture it all with my camera, but the light is awful. i’m mostly just taking pictures of puddles and grumpy-looking pigeons.
I spent the morning wandering around the *Livraria Lello, which is supposedly where J.K. Rowling got inspiration for Harry Potter. it was packed, obviously, but it was still pretty cool. it’s all like, ornate wooden shelves and stained glass windows. i almost bought a ridiculously overpriced notebook. almost.
I found this amazing little shop selling vintage scarves - seriously, the colors were insane. i’m thinking of getting a bright orange one. or maybe two. i’m not sure yet. i just feel it.
Someone overheard me talking about wanting to try tripas à moda do Porto (tripe stew) and said, "Dude, don’t. Seriously. Just… don’t." i’m intrigued, but also terrified. i’m leaning towards the francesinha.
I’m trying to find a good place for coffee. i need something strong. like, industrial-strength strong. i heard that Café Majestic is the place to go, but it’s always packed. i’ll check it out later. maybe.
I’m also trying to figure out how to get to Guimarães, which is apparently where Portugal started. it’s just a short drive away, if you get bored. if you get bored, [Guimarães] are just a short drive away.
Here’s a quick rundown of my essentials: camera, notebook, ridiculously oversized sunglasses, and a whole lot of snacks. and maybe a raincoat. definitely a raincoat.
I’m heading to the market now to grab some fresh seafood. i heard that the grilled octopus is amazing. i’m hoping it’s not as terrifying as the tripe.
I’m trying to find a good place to eat tonight. i checked out some reviews on Yelp, and Cantinho do Avillez* seems pretty good, but it’s always packed. i’ll try to snag a reservation.
“Don’t trust anyone who says they have all the answers,” a guy in a beret told me at the bar. “Especially if they’re wearing a beret.”
Seriously, the architecture here is wild. it’s like a history textbook come to life. i’m trying to take pictures of everything, but i’m pretty sure i’m missing the important stuff.
I’m starting to think i need a spreadsheet to keep track of all the things i want to see and do. but then i’d probably just end up losing it.
“The best things in life are found down dark alleys,” a woman with a parrot on her shoulder whispered to me. “And maybe a little bit of rain.”
Okay, I’m officially exhausted. i’m going to go find a dark alley and contemplate the meaning of life. or maybe just order another glass of wine.
Check out TripAdvisor for Porto: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g190968-Porto_Portugal-Vacations.html
And for some local food recommendations, head over to Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/map/porto-portugal
I found a local forum with some great tips: https://www.porto-guide.com/
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