The day we visited the Casa do Infante and walked the Douro River bridge was a hot one. Even though Porto wasn’t experiencing the 100 degree days we noticed in Lisbon (whew), walking in the sun on a 90 degree day was something to which we were still adjusting. Trev found a cafe not too far from our home base that sounded perfect – outside seating (shaded) with great reviews on local offerings for lunch. On days like this, you definitely seek the shady side of the street and we opted to cut through a shady park diverting from the Google route. And that is when we found it, even though we didn’t know it yet.
What is remarkable about this park is the size, the calm, the amount of shade, and the astounding cool breeze we felt. (It reminds me of walking in Eastport near Quoddy Bay Lobster when you hit that cool pocket by the water. If you know, you know.) We both seriously needed lunch, but yeah, this park was worth another day’s visit.
As an aside, WOW, that lunch. We both had the steak with salad and potatoes, with a cold beer. Sitting at that shaded table, enjoying that wonderful lunch, watching the neighborhood world go by is a memory I will always have. I want to also add that the folks there were so kind and so warm. I think they got a kick out of how much we both enjoyed that meal. So much so that when we declined ordering dessert, they brought us a complimentary little plate of specialty cake and port anyway. Traveling magic, I tell you.
Ok, back to the park. It is the Jardim de Cordoaria. We went back the next day, found a bench essentially on a promenade under amazing London Plane trees. A relation of Sycamore trees in the U.S., in this park they are intentionally pollarded. Yeah, a new word for me, too. It means to trim or prune in a manner that cause more branching and bushy growth. This was the marvel, as it creates a shady, dimmer tunnel of respite from the city heat.
Trev read a book and I gave some plein air painting a try. At one point, Trev looked at me and said “I think it just comes down to finding your places.” And with that, I think he summed up a really important aspect of travel. It is nice to find places where you feel comfortable, settled, calm and happy to be where you are. As I mentioned in my previous post, it took a little time for us to feel settled here. That spot under those trees is a special one for us and helped us feel, dare I say it, a bit at home here in Porto.
