Porto, Portugal

Bridge View
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Im disapointed I didnt get to spend more time in this country because it is quite beautiful and the atmosphere is really laidback. I had the chance to explore Porto for a bit before we had to leave, and I was impressed by the beautiful architecture. As Ive grown to learn, this is true in all of Europe, but as my first experience it was facinating. The buildings are all tall and close togather, with flat fronts (no balconies). The streets are all narrow and cobbled, and mostly one way. The cars are extremely small and are mostly found to be parked on the sidewalk due to the limited space. The older buildings have amazing carvings of angels and saints along the tops and around some doorways. We walked across the Rio Douro and took many pictures from the bridge, of the river, hillside, and small communities beneath the bridge. Above the river, aswell as beneath the bridge were older homes, and poorer communites, but one you reached the river side it is lined with fancy cafes and bars on both sides.

Bridge view2
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Our train ride took us through varying countryside and pass beautiful ocean views. The houses in Portugal are all white/beige with orange roofs. And I noticed right away that from almost every window in every building there are lines of drying clothes hanging outside. Each window had its own collection of clothes. I wasnt sure if this was just true in poor households, or if washers/driers just arent common/necessary. The one thing that stands out here is the graffiti...its everywhere! Every wall, bench, building, etc. It seemed odd to me because graffiti is not as tolerated in Canada.

Large building in the middle of a main square
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One more thing I can say about Portugal is that the people are extremely short! I felt like a professional basketball player, without the skills haha.