I’m writing this from our hotel in Porto leaning in the window with a glass of shockingly cheap delicious red wine while overlooking the river. It’s a great setting and nice to relax a little following the absolute chaos of the past few days.
We’ve tried to spend time seeing the city between looking online at baggage updates (there are none) calling for progress in the search (there isn’t any) and planning to do this without the backpacks that Carrie and I carefully packed and supplied for this journey. Jo’l generously shared toiletries in a way that most people would balk at, and faithfully followed us around as we frantically shopped for the things that we needed to get us going at a minimum once we decided to move on. And the amazing staff at Eurostars Porto Douro have been beyond amazing, calling the airlines over and over on our behalf even while we were out, and we’re so grateful to them for their incredible help.
We did see quite a bit while we were here despite all of that. We had breakfast at quaint cafes, saw the livraria lello which is considered the most beautiful bookstore in the world and inspired the library and grand staircase of hogwarts.
We saw cafe majestic where the beginning of the philosophers stone emerged from JK Rowling’s pen.
We took a boat to see the 7 bridges, and walked past many of the port cellars where the worlds port comes from.
We climbed too many hills and accidentally wound up at a charming bird market.
Carrie made friends with Europe’s most disgusting pigeon.
We laughed through the streets of Porto declaring “you cross now” in honor of the man who ran us to our gate, and we shout “danger!” When a car comes because of the night we ate at a cafe that put its tables inches from the street. Jo’l unsuccessfully ordered a basket of butters there and something tells me that we’ll be looking for another opportunity to try one for some time.
We saw the most beautiful train station.
We saw street performers who made us smile, our first camino marker, and drank greedily from our first camino fountain as only Jo’l had a water bottle and we filled it over and over.
Porto has been lovely despite the stress and frustration of having nothing but the clothes we’re in, which we wash in the tub every night hanging them in the wardrobe to dry and making pants ghosts in the window.
But we did some frantic shopping today, rushing to replace as much as we could so that we can start tomorrow. Jo’l faithfully gave feedback as we tried on things that didn’t fit and weren’t right for this trip. She even helped weight test packs while we walked about in the store.
For me I’m good with everything but shoes. I found the most cushioned in the store, but they were still uncomfortable after a few miles today, and I’m hoping to come across a real shoe place soon since my feet are the thing taking me where I need to go.
Special thanks to husbands for constant moral support, and to my mother for calling airlines on our behalf today. We may have bags in the next couple of days, or we may have a renewed commitment to our temporary kits.
For now, I have wine, friends, and a plan to set out tomorrow.
Buen Camino
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