Porto’s Sticky Secrets & a Whole Lotta Rain

okay, so, 3645532 and 1862318264. seriously, what is that? it’s like a random number generator for existential dread, right? i’m pretty sure it’s connected to the humidity, which is currently hovering around 81%. feels like 24.46, temp’s stuck at 23.9, and the pressure’s…well, it’s 1014. standard. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

porto. man, porto. it’s…wet. like, perpetually damp. not in a romantic, ‘rainy day in paris’ kind of way. more like ‘you’ll be wearing a poncho for the next week’ kind of way. i’m pretty sure the cobblestones are actively trying to ruin my shoes. and my sanity.

I’m staying in this tiny Airbnb near Ribeira - it smells faintly of sardines and old wood. the landlord, a guy named Miguel, keeps leaving me these little hand-painted tiles. he’s a sculptor, apparently. he just stares at me sometimes, which is… unsettling. if you get bored, Lisbon is just a short drive away.

I spent yesterday wandering around the Livraria Lello, which is, like, insane. seriously, it looks like something out of Harry Potter. the line was ridiculous, but totally worth it. i snagged a ridiculously overpriced bookmark. worth it. check it out: https://www.livrariaporto.com/livraria-lello/

Then, i stumbled upon this little tasca - ‘Casa Guedes’ - that serves the best francesinha i’ve ever had. it’s basically a mountain of meat and cheese drenched in tomato sauce and beer. pure chaos. i almost lost my lunch. someone told me that the secret ingredient is a touch of mustard. i’m skeptical, but hey, it was delicious.

I also spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to navigate the metro. it’s a labyrinth. a beautiful, confusing, slightly terrifying labyrinth. i got completely lost and ended up in a neighborhood that smelled strongly of…well, let’s just say it wasn’t roses.

Here’s the deal: Porto is gritty. It’s loud. It’s wet. But it’s also bursting with history and incredible food and ridiculously charming people.

I’m trying to capture the vibe with my camera, but the light is constantly battling the clouds. it’s a struggle. i’m mostly just taking pictures of puddles and grumpy-looking buildings. it’s surprisingly therapeutic.

I overheard some tourists at a cafe saying that the best time to visit is in the spring, when the azaleas are in bloom. i’m not sure about that. i’m pretty sure the rain doesn’t care about azaleas.

Speaking of cafes, i found this amazing place called ‘A Brasileira’ - it’s a historic cafe that used to be a meeting place for Fernando Pessoa. seriously, the history is palpable. i ordered a galão (a Portuguese latte) and just sat there, soaking it all in.

I’m seriously considering buying a raincoat. or a waterproof backpack. or maybe just accepting my fate and embracing the damp.

I checked Yelp for some recommendations and found this place called ‘Taberna dos Mercadores’ - apparently, they have amazing seafood. i’m going tomorrow. wish me luck. https://www.yelp.com/biz/taberna-dos-mercadores-porto

Here’s a quick gear list, because i’m apparently obsessed with lists:
Waterproof everything
Comfortable walking shoes (seriously, prioritize these)
A good umbrella (duh)
A phrasebook (portuguese is a beast)
A willingness to get lost
A healthy dose of sarcasm

Someone told me that the best way to experience Porto is to just wander and see where the streets take you. i’m taking that to heart. i’m currently heading towards the São Bento train station - it’s covered in incredible azulejo tiles. it’s a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s also undeniably beautiful.

I heard that the local wine, Vinho Verde, is a must-try. i’m on the hunt for a good bottle.

I’m starting to think that this random number generator was actually a blessing in disguise. porto is weird. porto is wonderful. porto is…wet.

Check out TripAdvisor for more Porto tips: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g189199-Porto_Portugal-Vacations.html

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