Monday was Republic Day in Portugal.
I thought I’d wander the city streets, photographing holiday celebrations and writing an epic Portugal Paper. Instead, I found that it’s more like Labor Day in the US. Everyone has the day off and banks are closed, but no big parades. Nevertheless, I started my day at Tofa, which was packed! Much like Portugal Day, customers were vying for the steering wheel-sized, bagel-shaped bread known as Regueifa, or Sunday bread, along with boxes of little pastries. I downed my espresso and headed out.
There’s a great art piece in the City Center. I always find myself walking around it, but this morning I took my time and walked through the archway. Part of me secretly hoped I would emerge on the other side to an alternate universe of amazingness. Alas, I remain in Braga (which is still pretty amazing)!
I wandered into a little souvenir shop that looked to be a step above the usual tourist spots. This Portuguese chicken statue caught my eye – I am smitten! If you chat with my wife, help me talk her into it for our flat, would you?
They moved the Braga sign! It used to be in front of the Holy Cross Church (near my pharmacy – lol), but is currently next to the big fountain in the heart of the City Center, Chafariz da Praça da República. A group of tourists were trying to take a picture in front of the sign. I offered my meager photography skills so that no one would be left out of the memory.
Lately, I’ve been seeing these pop-up little chimney stands around town. Finally took the time to check them out – they are roasting chestnuts, sold in a two-chambered paper bag, €3 for 12. The nice ladies showed me how to shell and eat them – salted, hot chestnuts in one side of the bag, charred shells disposed of in the other.
I continued on down the Jardim da Avenida Central, a lovely park and green space, and came upon some sort of group exercise class, complete with music and an instructor. An unhoused man, who happened to be missing a leg, was sitting on the sidewalk nearby, singing and following the arm movements. He grinned at me, and I laughed and waved at him. Time to head back to our flat.
I hope you are having your own kind of epic week. 🦋
Leave a comment