The First Day Trip in Portugal (02/01/2024)

We started off a bit rough on day three of Porto. The early risers (Jen, Kayla, and Gage) were bright and chipper this morning waking up well before 8 and having a hearty breakfast of green eggs and ham, but without the green and with some toast. They had all arisen early to acquire themselves and the rest of us train tickets to Guimaraes for a day trip. We were set to meet a friend of our Nana’s, Gary, on our way to Guimaraes. (Parent note: we've been planning this trip for almost a year, and knew that Porto was our first stop for about 5 months, but it was just the Friday before we left that Nana remembered her former colleague Gary, who was now splitting time between the US and a town just north of Porto. Text introductions were made, and Gary graciously provided several suggestions about how to spend our time in Portugal, including offering to be our guide and host for two days - which we quickly and happily accepted. So nice to have someone else in charge of planning for a bit!)

The late risers (Matt, Connor, and Griffin) were woken up right before the early risers left for the station, and they were not happy about it. The Early risers headed out to the train station to get the tickets, and the line to get the tickets was long. In the line, Gage was tasked with learning how to say, “six tickets to and from Guimaraes” in Portuguese, which he kept repeating and repeating so he’d remember it, however when it was their turn to purchase the tickets, instead of saying the line he had practiced over and over… he just showed the ticket clerk the translation on the phone. It all worked out just fine because the clerk knew English and so they were able to order the tickets without any problems. After they received the tickets, Jen, Kayla, and Gage went across the street to a café where Kayla and Gage both got huge chocolate croissants. They then returned to the station right on time to board the train, and in the process meeting up with the late risers right outside the train.

On the train ride we met up with Gary, who was our tour guide. There were many scenic views along the way.

Guimaraes was founded in 1096 by Count D. Henrique. Upon arriving in Guimaraes, we went from the train station to a very old palace (built in the 18th century), the Palacio Vila Flor. This palace had statues of all the Portuguese kings of old along the side and back of the building. After visiting the Palacio Vila Flor, we walked to the old town that was within the old city walls. The old town was full of historic monuments and ancient buildings that date back up to the 13th century. After hangry Griffin got a sandwich, we walked along the top of the old walls and got an excellent view of the city. After climbing along the old walls, we went to the Dukes Palace. In the Dukes Palace, we saw many artifacts and paintings and tapestries. There was also a room filled with armor and weapons that was the coolest thing in the palace. After touring the palace, we went next door to the castle, which was unfortunately closed but was still quite cool to look at from the outside.

At this point we decided that it was time for lunch, so we decided to ask some locals for a good restaurant to eat at and were suggested this little place on the street corner. At this restaurant we weren’t sure what to order and Gage and Kayla weren’t too hungry, so everybody else ordered the plate of the day, which was grilled cod with green beans, carrots, and potatoes on the side, and Kayla and Gage picked stuff off of other peoples plates, which worked out perfectly. We also ordered the house red wine and house white wine. The house red was very dry which was loved by Connor, Matt, and Gary, and the house white was very light and went down easily and was loved by everyone.

After lunch, we walked around a bit more and Gary showed us the Sᾶo Francisco church that was filled with many artworks and displays that depicted religious figures and acts, the displays were made almost entirely out of gold so it was easy to see where lords put their money.  (Parent note: Gary pointed out one of the many remarkable things about this church, which is that among the very many statues and figurines there were a few depicting Black people, which in our combined experience is very rare in Europe). After looking around the church we walked back towards the train station, and on the way, we stopped at another café and ordered two more chocolate croissants, which were the most delicious yet, according to Gage. We then returned to Porto and our Airbnb on the train, saying farewell to Gary and promising to meet up with him tomorrow.

After arriving back in Porto we went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff for dinner, as well as yet another chocolate croissant, as well as two other pastries, a ham and cheese croissant, and a patel de nata. (Parent note: most of the group had quickly agreed that the prior night's dinner of pasta with meat sauce and sautéed peppers and onions and fresh portuguese bread was so delicious it was worth a repeat. Matt wasn't so sure but went along with the group. We later learned that Kayla had a new strategy - eat cheaply as much as possible so we had plenty of budget for croissants! Also, the Patel de Nata is on all of the blogs as the national pastry of Portugal and one you must try. It is basically a small pastry crust, like a mini quiche crust, filled with custard. Those of us who aren't too fond of custard didn't think we'd enjoy it, but it was actually quite delicious!)

-          Gage