porto

It seems like the plan is to do 4 nights in each city. That gives you the right amount of time to feel comfortable and not rushed. Porto has the same lovely weather as Lisbon, but with steeper up and down climbs. I have no idea how the elderly get around in a city that is nothing but steep cobblestone inclines. My butt has gotten quite a workout. When we first arrived I was a little worried because the area we are staying in looks BAD. Like weird, desolate bad. But the apartment is gorgeous and impeccably decorated and the area is fine. It's just a short walk to all the cute downtown shopping and eating.

We've pretty much just wandered all over the place each day. We ate at a vegan heavy metal record store (yes that is a real place!). walked through the old town market and by the water, stumbled on an opera rehearsal in a church, crossed the bridge to where all the port wine cellars are, and finally walked 3 miles to a modern art museum because google wouldn't tell us how to take the bus.  It was worth the walk. Aside from the art, the building was surrounded by manicured gardens with a working farm and horses.

garlic from the market

We chose this port house out of the dozens that were there because I remember my grandpa having a bottle of it as his bar. The waiter loved me and insisted on talking to me about physics, religion, and how dumb americans were. He was great.

There was no guard in the guard room, so I took over.

a little free opera