Plot Twist: Porto Is Amazing
Weather makes all the difference.
After what felt like a week of climbing hills in a convection oven, Porto finally decided to cooperate.
The temperatures dropped from “surface of the sun” to “refreshingly cool,” and we spent the day wandering the Ribeira, Porto’s beautiful riverfront district. It was exactly the kind of day we’d been hoping for when we booked an entire month here.
Colorful buildings spilled down toward the Douro River. Street musicians competed with the sound of passing trams. And every few steps we found another view that made us stop and say, “Okay... this is the Porto everyone has been talking about.”
It reminded me how quickly impressions can change. (But hills don’t)
A week ago, we were questioning whether we’d made a mistake staying here for a month. Now? The weather has broken, and suddenly everything feels different.
Today’s walk was definitely a good card.
Maybe one of the best so far. (Because there was a cat)
It’s funny how often travel, and life, works that way. Sometimes the places we struggle with at first end up becoming the ones we appreciate the most. You just have to stick around long enough to give them a chance. (Or buy enough booze to make it through anyway)
Turns out the secret to enjoying Porto wasn't finding flatter streets. It was waiting for the weather, and our attitudes, to cool off. (And a pork sandwich with a glass of sparkling wine)
