Porto

Smoky skies. We could smell the smoke from the airplane. From elevation, west of the city was coated. The customs agent warned me to be careful when I get on the central route because of the woodlands. The hotel receptionist said the fires are not yet controlled. The map of where the fires are is well west of here. Great big out of my control gulp. My hotels are all reserved, I can’t change paths.

Otherwise so many new and old things. I have to keep my eyes open to figure it out. After several fails with the Metro, I finally asked when I first entered the station which line would take me in the right direction.
Me and a middle aged man in the elevator going down from the main thoroughfare: me- “Fala Ingles?”
Him- “blah blah blah pecenho blah blah”
Me-“Trinidade estacion? Track uno or dos?”
Him- “Trinidade?”
Me-“Sim, Trinidade”
He points to an escalator “caish doish”
I point and nod questioningly
Him-“Santo olivado”. Pointing and nodding.
So I took the escalator to the train on track 2 going to Santo Olivado.
And had to get off at the next stop because he sent me in the wrong direction, bless him.

Steep cobblestone streets. Crowded. twisty. Construction.
Hot. Feet hurt just from navigating from the airport metro to my hotel.

I prayed for everyone at the Porto Cathedral. Ornate, gold, old. The holy water basins are empty but there are purell stands instead. I assume they are blessed by the local bishop 😉.

I am glad to be here and look forward to fewer people. And simpler transportation.Read more