Matosinhos

Flat, thank goodness. Seagull sounds mix with playground sounds. No one told these kids there’s major challenges, or at least they are more able than me to let go and play and scream in delight. Hmmmm.

Porto streets, or maybe tripping on the 1/4 step into the bathroom has messed up my knee. I’m staying in a 3 story pensao residence. The rooms are 12 ft tall. So the stairs…. Another thank goodness is the office assistant/ cleaning staff/ granddaughter offered to carry my suitcase up. Si. Por favor, as I take the stairs sideways babying that knee. I can manage rest and elevation, but the closest I came to ice was a lemon and mango gelado.

The language difference— somehow we find a way. People are kind and mostly patient. I spent 30 minutes at a post office sending back some overpacking (grff) while the line queued. The postman was wonderful. We laughed when I finally understood that he wanted my email address (electronico) not my mailing address. The people in line looked unhappy and yes I think that was my fault. But too bad.

Tomorrow’s agenda is to start walking. 12 miles. We’ll see. Maybe I can find more things about which to laugh and scream in delight.Read more