7.23 miles, 23,186 steps, 0 cats 

Finally got walking this morning. Took a bit of time to get out of downtown Porto as it was a crowded Sunday with tons of tourists and also the Porto Half Marathon following the same route as me. 

I think I didn’t pack my backpack well as it wasn’t super comfortable. Need to work on better weight distribution tomorrow. 

Followed the Douro River to the Atlantic Ocean then turned right to head north up the coast. There were families enjoying the beach, surfers (not much for waves though), people walking so many dogs, and the half-marathoners. PERFECT weather (ok a little bit humid). I give the sand a B+ grade — pretty soft, but not super clean. This is pretty busy public beach though, basically a suburb of Porto, almost urban once you cross the main road.  

Just a short walk today…saving energy for tomorrow which will be much longer. Need to get the pack sorted out or my shoulder/neck muscles may not forgive me. 

My adorable guest house doesn’t have a staffed lobby. And apparently they forgot to send me the code to get into the building. I tried calling but either the number was bad (they have different numbers on the website vs on the email confirmation) or maybe I don’t know how to make an international call, which is entirely possible. I sent an email to the “contact us” link, crossed my fingers, and tried to look natural and non-lost-pilgrimy while standing under a shade tree and reading my phone. I don’t know what plan B was going to be — probably would have ducked into the restaurant next door and begged for help. As it was, the people enjoying lunch on the restaurant’s patio were starting to look curious. I reallllly don’t like looking like I don’t know what’s happening. Ooh, a Camino lesson? LUCKILY it didn’t last — the proprietor Joanna popped out the door: she got my email! lol all good, my duffle bag had made its way here without me (I’m having it transported every day to my next hotel — costs like 5 euro and totally worth it so that I could bring what I wanted and not have to do laundry every night like some hardcore pilgrims. No, thank you. 

Ended the day at a beachfront bar/restaurant called Lais de Gu I A, facing the setting (hot) sun and enjoying a caiprinha. Later I need to go find dinner. Matosinhos is famous for its seafood, so I’ll be on the hunt for something that doesn’t have a head or eyes or an entire body on my plate. A nice salmon filet? I can probably handle shrimp and just ignore the eyes. I want to eat like a local but every menu I look at online seems to include “goose barnacles” and I will never be THAT local. 

Early to bed for early morning walking!!

(I saw so many cats in Porto I was expecting to see them along the way…but 0 today!)