... Into Portugal

Beautiful Brittany

Portugal is a country of startling beauty, and startling juxtapositions.  It is a country only just beginning to emerge from the economic crisis of 2008, with a citizenry who work long hours at multiple jobs to make ends meet.  More often than ever before, folks are impelled to work without a contract, as employers can no longer afford to pay the exorbitant government tax to keep their employees "on the books".  And while the unemployment rate is slowly decreasing, it remains a disquieting season for the Portuguese people, as they gently but firmly explained to me during my visit.

Parrot Play

I arrived in Porto raw, raw from the physical toll of the camino on my body, raw from the emotional toll of the my final camino goodbyes.  Most recently, to an American named Brittany whose wisdom and experience eclipsed her chronological age.  Brittany was terrific company during my final days in Spain, and someone I greatly admire.  She's someone who knows her own mind, and has a tenacious strength unlike many I've seen.  She also has a wicked sense of humor, a real homage to her northeastern roots.

A valiant (failed) effort to like Port wine

Upon my arrival, I was relieved to find myself in one of the coziest hostels I've stayed in to date.  A recently converted, six story home from the 17th century, nestled into a hillside in the heart of Porto.  A hostel full to capacity of people on their own adventures.  A contingent of spirited Dutch professionals, in town for a week of surfing.  A Kiwi and a Welshman, proudly representing their respective rugby teams as they moved closer to the rugby world cup finals.  A lovely, brilliant young German, living in Portugal to become fluent in what will be her fourth language.  An older Korean woman, traveling alone without any English.  So brave.

Porto

I spent my days exploring the city, hiking the coast, and trying to learn as much as I could from my roommates, both Portuguese and otherwise.  It was here I began to really fall in love with this country, and these people.  They are a people of great pride, with deep, complicated history, and passionate opinions.  They are a people of the sea, and like the sea they are known for the world over, they reflect the same limitless depth, bold diversity, and coastal temperament.  So while they may appear placid and serene on the surface, I think they, like their ocean, boast a depth and a power capable of producing the largest waves in the world.  They are a people to be reckoned with, these Portuguese.  And I think I love them.