The Portugal Papers

We were running low on coffee beans. That used to mean a two minute drive to The Roasterie for beans and a latte. In Braga, it means a getting up early, taking my meds and chugging a protein drink, filling up my water bottle, lacing up my sneakers, and walking 40 minutes round-trip through a beautiful city center. My life has changed, I think for the better.

Anyway, I needed coffee before I bought coffee beans, so I stopped at Tofa, which is becoming my new local hangout. Usually, I sit at a small table in the back, AirPods in my ears, reading or people watching while I drink my coffee. But it was a beautiful morning and the table right by the door was empty, so I placed my order and sat down. Minutes later, a lovely woman walked in, waved at the owner, and walked directly to my table, pulling out the chair as she was (I think) asking if she could sit down. I smiled and nodded and encouraged her to sit. We shared a “Bom Dia” (Good Morning). I pointed to myself and said my name is Sara. I repeated, Sara. She pointed to herself and said Maria. I had the feeling that she was a regular here, and that likely I was sitting at her table. She was pleasant, but not over-the-top friendly, which I’m sad to say is how I get sometimes when I am not understood. I try to make up for my lack of Portuguese language with big smiles and loud cheerful conversation. I really need to work on that. Maria looked to be in her 70s, dressed in a sparkly top, with lots of gold jewelry and dark painted nails. Note: I aspire to be like Maria now.

Maria spoke to me in Portuguese, and I did my best to understand what she was saying. We laughed at a little boy who was so excited to get a toy out of one of those old-fashioned gumball machines, laughing and waving his treasure to anyone who smiled and laughed with him. His mom scooped him up and walked over to our table. Turns out, the mom was related to Maria! I’m not sure if she was her daughter or niece, but she was very sweet and we chatted for a minute until our food arrived. Note that Maria never placed an order, they just knew what to bring her. They also brought her (I assume) weekly bread order, and a little pastry to take home.

The mom and child left, and we ate our bread (hers plain with butter, mine toasted with ham and cheese) and drank our coffee in companionable silence. She poured one of two sugar packets into her cup and pocketed the other, sipping her coffee with a spoon. I chugged my coffee quickly like a typical American who hasn’t figured out how to slow down. I really need to work on that too. She pointed to my unopened sugar packets, and when I nodded and handed them to her, she smiled and pocketed those also.

After breakfast, I gathered my things, smiled and nodded to Maria, and walked to the counter to pay. I asked the owner to please tell Maria thank you for sitting with me this morning.

Happy Saturday. ❤️