I did not do very well getting caught up with postings of past events. So going forward, the timeline might have some randomness to it as I am skipping right up to this summer of 2025.
Ada and I planned a graduation trip to Portugal for a week in June. We managed to carve a week out of the summer in June. We flew in to Porto with the plan of going straight to Braga to see Jamie and Leanne. Unfortunately, they had a last minute situation back in the States which they had to attend but they gave us lots of info on what to expect and suggestions on what to do and how to do it. After two days in Braga, we took the forty minute train trip back to Porto and stayed for two days. We then took a 3 hour train to Lisbon where we spent two days and then headed back to the States.
Our plan was to do one venture a day and then spend the rest of the time wandering about, sitting in cafes, shopping, and allowing ourselves to take things as they came.
Braga is a lovely town directly in the north of the country about thirty minutes outside of Porto. Portugal was an incredibly wealth country back in its heyday of early colonization and they spent loads of money on building beautiful things. Also, they were able to stay out of the two world wars which devastated much of the rest of Europe, so much of the old Portugal is still very much in tact. Braga was a great example of this - an old central town with cobbled stones and a wall and gate surrounded by a very modern new town. We spent the majority of our time in the old town which was very walkable and it was a great gateway into our short stay in Portugal. We did take a day trip outside of the old town and I went for a run into the new town so did see some of the modern Braga. We loved our short time their and if you ever get a chance to go to Portugal, include Braga on your itinerary.
At Ohare doing what you do in an airport - everyone seems to have an airport routine.
On the plane. It was a night flight so we were supposed to sleep on the plane but id slept none and Ada a little so the first day in Braga was rough but we did power thru without napping.
We arrived well before check in time at the hotel after sorting out some challenges at the airport. Our phones were locked so we could not get SM cards at the airport. After some international communicating, we were able to just get the ATT international coverage which is not too bad especially since we did not bring computers so very much relied on phones. Anyway, we wandered into the central square at around 9 in the morning and did what everyone else was doing, sitting in a cafe eating pasteries and drinking coffee. We kind of just went for it with ordering as English was not really an option.
So it was exciting to see what showed up at our table! Ada approves.
Ada sorting out the Euros. The bills are easy enough but the coins take a little work. Check out the row of most likely regulars in the back. As we would find out in a very pleasant way, Portugal is a cafe culture and pretty much anytime of the day, several times a day is a good time to sit and have a drink and a snack, most often in the pastry form! After breakfast we just wandered about until check in time. We then got situated in our room in the Southi Guest House, which was right off the central square and quite nice. The rest of the day we walked about and checked out Braga!
Dinner that first night was a place Jamie recommended. It was a small plates venue that had a spin on traditional Portuguese dishes. Very nice. This plate was a Portugues style sausage repurposed in a Thai style spring roll and a sweet and spicy Thai dipping sauce.
Out and about - this was typical of most of Braga. Very much enjoyed the outside cafes/restaurants. And one of the many, many, many, many lovely cathedrals in Portugal.
Apparently we arrived in the build up days to one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Braga, Sao Jao Day! Or St. John (of the baptist fame) Day. I don't know if it was his birthday or what but the town had many indicators that it was going to be a blow out of a day's celebration for sure. The fare of the day was very apparent, as the signs all over attested to, beer and sardines - good eats for sure.
This was a random parade for Sao Jao Day that we came across. This was most likely the town priest, being hauled around town in a besparkled pickup truck!
Jamie always poked fun at me for not partaking of sweets and said that I had to try the gelato. So I did, every night while in Portugal. This is night one of the Portugal gelato streak - and a good streak for certain.
The Sao Jao Day festive decoratives. Kind of a funny sidenote - count the number of fits Ada has during the week to mine. She likes fashion and very purposely selected her outfits for the week depending on ..... not exactly sure ..... I brought a carry on back pack for the trip so no so many fits!
