Tag: Exploring Porto
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Discovering a Joyous Celebration of Everyday Porto
I’m well into my third year living in Porto (!) and there are still wonderful surprises to discover. One day I meandered onto a narrow, nondescript street that begins at the top of the hill near the old city wall. As I descended steep stairs, the sight of cheerfully painted walls on the old homes…
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Blink. Gone.
What Happened to Summer? Goodness. I blinked and it was gone. Now here I am in mid-fall, on a perfect sun-filled autumn day. It’s cool in the shade and warm in the sun. I’m sitting outdoors at the new Esquires in the Cedofeita neighborhood, enjoying my usual latte and croissant simples (simple croissant, nothing added).…
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Boas Festas!
Holiday Time in Porto The lights are on, the music is playing, and the stench aroma of bacalhau permeates every food store and flavors the streets. Compared to the US, Christmas is comfortably understated here. According to the Portugal News, the average spend for Christmas time last year was around €239 (about $263), and this…
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It’s Coming
Sunday, September 17, 2023 About 8 days ago, the first leaves skittered down the street. You know that sound: it’s a playful, crackling sound with just a hint of menace. Last week the first perfectly gold leaves appeared on the sidewalk. Today is overcast, with off and on rain showers. The light breezes have escalated…
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Festival Sao Joao
The Saint and Sardine Mashup Also music, dancing, feasting, Super Bock, parades, more music, more Super Bock, more dancing, more music, more Super Bock, and fireworks. Festival Sao Joao is a week-long festival that originated as a pagan celebration in the 14th century. It was repurposed by the Catholic Church as a festival for St.…
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Questions You Have Asked, Part 2
Have you met people? Have you made some friends? It’s easy to meet fellow expats here. There are multiple Facebook groups sharing information, events, and experiences. I joined a group called International Womens Chat. We exchange information on WhatsApp (the must-have app in Europe, everyone uses it). This is an amazing group, hailing from many…
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Questions You Have Asked, Part 1
What do you do all day? I’m asked this question a lot, and I’m a little nonplussed as to how to answer. Did you ever have a busy day, but when someone asked what you did, you couldn’t really say? You just know you were busy. I could tell you about the hours spent going…
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Esquires Coffee, Porto
The Best Way to Begin Your Day in Porto The day is quickly approaching for my return to the US to complete my long-term visa application. In this blog, I’m bidding “See you when I return” to the team at Esquires Coffee. I was surprised to learn that it’s a franchise, because it doesn’t feel…
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Seeking the Palacio de Cristal
Mischief and Delusion Afoot The plan for my Sunday morning walk was to visit the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, or Crystal Palace. The original crystal palace that was modeled after the Crystal Palace in London is long gone, but attractive gardens and views of the river remain. Having studied the location on my…
Mamie Moves to Portugal 