Port (surprisingly) and the attack of the cats

Ola,

As I'm currently in Barcelona I'm struggling a little to remember what actually happened in Porto, or perhaps I'd rather forget. There was a particularly embarrassing incident which I will get to later. I arrived in Porto quite late and because of the time difference it was actually dark so for the first time ever I decided to take a taxi. And I'm glad I did. I was in the taxi for about 10 minutes thinking; "wow this area is really shady, I'm so glad I took a taxi". I was even gladder when the fare only came to 5 euros.

Lanches, cat attacks and embarrassing drunken episodes (actually not that embarrassing and not that drunken)

The man at the hotel was unbelievably excited that I was from Australia. He kept saying it over and over again as he filled out the form. Anyway that excitement aside I was ready for bed.

The next day the lady at the front desk circled all the things on the map that I should visit. So I dutifully obeyed and headed into town and wandered around. Enjoyed more of the funky tiling that seems to be everywhere in Portugal. Then I went with gravity down to the river, through the ghettos, passed the very scary mobs of cats that looked as if they were plotting something (I met them again later actually and they were looking shady). Went across the river to where all the port cellars were, checked out one of them, well up until the point that you had to pay at which point I decided to leave. Battled with the other tourists for photos of the boats.

I wandered around again for a while, through some markets, bought some peaches from a supermarket, which had a cafe inside with no chairs: everyone seems to eat standing up here, which isn't very relaxing after a long walk back up the enormous hill from the river (I might add here that there is a funnicular for that as well). I can't remember if I've had my funnicular rant yet. So here it goes (possibly a repeat). What the funn is a funnicular? they are everywhere in Europe, it is truly riduculous. Everytime there is the slightest incline they have to put a funnicular to get to the top. And what a bizarre word. I assume we have the in Australia we just call them something sensible like cable cars. Not something that sounds like a venereal disease. Anyway enough of the ranting.

After that I had my first taste that would spark a 3 day love affair. I bought a lanche, or lanches or something like that. It is bready stuff with ham, cheese, onions and capsicum rolled into it (actually I think the reason I lvove it so much is because it reminds me of a scroll from Baker's delight).

So I had lunch, had a nap, went to a really cool shop called Blanco which is kind of a cross between Sportsgirl and Topshop. Then I walked down to the docks to get a beer before dinner. I had one beer. ONE. Admittedly I think it may have been quite strong as it was dark and strange tasting. But anyway, ONE! When I got up I was rather drunk. So I decided to try and walk up the hill and get something to eat before retiring. But I never made it home. Well I did eventually, but after about an hour and a half of wandering. I was officially lost for about 1 hour of that time. It was dark by the time I finally stumbled across the main road and into a cafe to buy a lanche. (that was my embarrassing moment by the way, because I usually pride myself on my sense of direction, also embarrassing because even though I worked in a pub for almost a year I am still a cadbury).

Anyway that was the end of that night. I think maybe subconsciously I planned the whole thing so I would end up eating a lanche for dinner.

The next day I left for Lisbon. Basically Porto was pretty boring. No offence intended to Porto. But it actually isn't really meant to be a touristy place anywya. It is described in the guidebook as an industrial city. If only I'd actually read the guidebook. Oh well. Onto lisbon.

Much love,

Cate xoxo