… in Porto.
I spent a few days here in October and enjoyed it. I decided I could spend another week here quite comfortably, exploring places I did not get to the last time and generally relaxing after a tough winter.
I have returned to the same neighbourhood as well, that being Cedofeita, a little bit north of the main tourist part of the city centre. Apart from Airbnb places, it is pretty much tourist free. Just as I did in October, I have taken an Airbnb and it is only 150m from where I stayed last time.
I decided it would be good to be in a familiar setting, and with plenty local restaurants close by if I do not want to venture into the tourist areas.
I flew here with Ryanair from Edinburgh… yes, just like I did in October. It was all remarkably painless at both ends and in the middle. The state of the pandemic in Scotland was a concern, with the Omicron variant (mark 2) running rampant and pre-flight testing being a thing of the past (if fully vaccinated).
I did a lateral flow test a couple of days after arriving – negative – not because I had symptoms but because I know lots of people get infected and do not have any.
Pandemic protocols seem to be well accepted here, with mask wearing being the obvious example. I find that very reassuring. It was this way in October, and I had been hoping people here had not followed the idiot inspired “free-dumb” attitude which London champions.
It is good to be back.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2022
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