Well, as the sun begins to set on our journey…
…Donna, John and I wanted to take in some seriously local
culture.
And so, we went to a restaurant where they perform Fado, a
traditional musical style of Portugal, where people sing sad, tragic songs and then you cry yourself into a coma...
...or something. We went to a small restaurant nestled atop a beautiful hill...
...and upon our arrival, Donna instantly fell in love with the
waiter.
It was a big problem.
She somehow managed to order dinner…
…and soon, the performers were getting ready to serenade us.
We had great seats…
…and great food…
…and (again) great drinks for the show.
More Vino Verde? Don't mind if I do!
First up was 16 year old Fado prodigy Francisco "Kiko" Moreira...
…who despite his young age, has the voice of an angel!
He's been performing Fado since he was 11 years old, as evidenced by his appearance on Portugal's hit series "Grande Prémio do Fado," which is an actual Fado television singing competition that I am not making up.
See? Told you.
He's been performing Fado since he was 11 years old, as evidenced by his appearance on Portugal's hit series "Grande Prémio do Fado," which is an actual Fado television singing competition that I am not making up.
See? Told you.
Our second performer was this hot slut…
Fátima Couto.
Seriously, amazing.
If you need more of her performing, you can catch her appearance on A Casa do Manel...
...a TV series seemingly from the late 70's or early 80's.
If you need more of her performing, you can catch her appearance on A Casa do Manel...
...a TV series seemingly from the late 70's or early 80's.
And our third and final performer of the evening?
Paulo Cangalhas...
...AKA, our waiter.
In between sets, the performers came out to talk to the 30-ish
patrons in the restaurant. Donna nearly perished...
...and so did John.
Kiko, the 16 year old, welcomed our billions of questions.
...and so did John.
Kiko, the 16 year old, welcomed our billions of questions.
Truth be told, we were really just trying to warm him up so that we could gain his trust in order to ask the real, deep, burning question that's on everyone's minds...
Seriously...WHAT is the deal with the capes?
Perhaps he was drunk on applause and attention, or maybe he was drunk on green wine (actually, upon further review...that was probably us...) Whatever the case, he spilled the beans on the capes:
"The capes! Oh! They are for school!" He informed us that upper-classmen wear the capes, and help lead the new students through the traditions of the schools. They will also chant, sing and perform.
Then, he looked off into the distance and pined, "Some day, I wish to wear the cape...”
Perhaps he was drunk on applause and attention, or maybe he was drunk on green wine (actually, upon further review...that was probably us...) Whatever the case, he spilled the beans on the capes:
"The capes! Oh! They are for school!" He informed us that upper-classmen wear the capes, and help lead the new students through the traditions of the schools. They will also chant, sing and perform.
Then, he looked off into the distance and pined, "Some day, I wish to wear the cape...”
I felt his pain, and wistfully replied: “Someday, I wish to wear the cape, too!”
That kid is a good egg.
After dinner, we were definitely emotional. It might have been the Fado, or it might have been the gallon of green wine we drank...
...or it might have been the fact that we only had one more day left to love Porto...
Although upon further reflection, it was likely the booze.
The next day was, sadly, our last day not only in Porto, but on the Spain in the Ass journey.
For our final meal, we ate near the water...
And for dessert, we went someplace extra special...
...no, not there. For our final night, we wanted something special. Something unique that screamed "Porto."
And so obviously, we went to the city's brand new Nutella-themed cafe...
...Nutellandia!
We were all pretty excited about this place...
...maybe a little too excited.
It was a delicious, delightful mess...
After dessert, it was time to go back to the hotel...
...which obviously went super great.
Our car picked us up before the crack of dawn and we cried all the way to the airport...
... where we said goodbye to John...
...and Donna & I hopped our flight to Philadelphia...
...er, I mean Filadelfia, where she and I had to say goodbye one final time.
She went off to San Diego, while I stayed in Filly to see my parents...
...some friends...
...and Weird Al @ Radio City Music Hall...
...after he and I hung out in a Rockettes' dressing room.
And that, dear readers, is the trip in a nutshell. Or should I say Nutella shell?
No. No I shouldn't. Sorry about that.
Anyway, after more than three exciting weeks on the road...
...experiencing things that seemed out of this world...
...I'm bummed to see this trip end.
It was awesome to spend a vacation with my sister...
...there's so much I didn't have a chance to cover in the blog...
...but it's far too late for that bullshit now.
Oh well. There's always next trip.
okbye.
That kid is a good egg.
After dinner, we were definitely emotional. It might have been the Fado, or it might have been the gallon of green wine we drank...
...or it might have been the fact that we only had one more day left to love Porto...
Although upon further reflection, it was likely the booze.
The next day was, sadly, our last day not only in Porto, but on the Spain in the Ass journey.
For our final meal, we ate near the water...
And for dessert, we went someplace extra special...
...no, not there. For our final night, we wanted something special. Something unique that screamed "Porto."
And so obviously, we went to the city's brand new Nutella-themed cafe...
...Nutellandia!
We were all pretty excited about this place...
...maybe a little too excited.
It was a delicious, delightful mess...
...much like us.
After dessert, it was time to go back to the hotel...
...and pack...
Our car picked us up before the crack of dawn and we cried all the way to the airport...
... where we said goodbye to John...
...and Donna & I hopped our flight to Philadelphia...
...er, I mean Filadelfia, where she and I had to say goodbye one final time.
She went off to San Diego, while I stayed in Filly to see my parents...
Dad & Mom!
...some friends...
We're all VERYawake...
...and Weird Al @ Radio City Music Hall...
...with my buddy Kevin...
...who got serenaded by Al in the elevator...
...after he and I hung out in a Rockettes' dressing room.
And that, dear readers, is the trip in a nutshell. Or should I say Nutella shell?
No. No I shouldn't. Sorry about that.
Anyway, after more than three exciting weeks on the road...
...experiencing things that seemed out of this world...
...I'm bummed to see this trip end.
It was awesome to spend a vacation with my sister...
...there's so much I didn't have a chance to cover in the blog...
...but it's far too late for that bullshit now.
Oh well. There's always next trip.
okbye.
