Ken and I just returned from a 2-week trip to Portugal and Spain. I’m in the throes of re-entry, but as I take breaks from laundry and going through two weeks of mail, I’ll get started with trip updates.

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As much as I try, I cannot sleep on planes. Ditto, Ken. We always hope, but end up disappointed. So we’re operating on zero sleep today. Feel like hot garbage. Need to investigate better sleeping meds.

Zombie Day. Let’s do this! 

Brief layover in Zurich – just long enough to pick up some cheese, chocolate, and a side of neutrality. 

On to Portugal – a new country for both of us! 

Ken {upon landing}: immediately whips out some useful Portuguese phrases for us to learn. Nope. I do not have the bandwidth to match this energy right now. 

Scheduled an orientation tour of Porto, with the idea that we’d be distracted enough to stay awake. Mostly successful.

Our tour guide, Susana, is lovely. She has so much to share about Portugal, but I’m only processing about half of what she says because I’m so freaking tired.

Portugal is having some kind of red alert coastal situation today. Surf was POUNDING! Susana drove us out to the ocean so we could see the action. Waves between 25 and 40 feet!! Unreal. Lots of roads blocked because police don’t want people anywhere near the surf. We only got sort-of near the surf. We watched this lighthouse get repeatedly pummeled by the huge waves. Incredible.

Sandeman Port

And because nothing helps jet lag like alcohol . . . outstanding private tour and tasting at Sandeman Port in Gaia. I’m schooled up on the whole port-making process, but really interesting to see all that theory put into practice. 

Also: I found a new poster I’m going to need to track down. You can never have too many posters. It’s wall space that’s the problem.

Our young (early 20s) guide at Sandeman, Sara, was wonderful. She spoke beautiful English. We asked how she learned, and she said Portuguese kids have to study English from the time they are five years old. That, and watching television. She explained that all of the popular TV programs in Portugal are in English, with Portuguese subtitles (conversely, the same programs elsewhere in Europe are dubbed). So there’s a forcing function there. We asked if she’d ever been to America. She hasn’t, but she really wants to go to DC, so she can … wait for it … see a CAPS game. We found a CAPS fan – in Portugal. Her favorite player is Tom Wilson. Let’s go CAPS!!

Note for wine friends: All of the Port tastings we did were basically the same. Ruby, LBV, and then a 10 year old Tawny. It’s a good entry exposure to the different styles. But nothing special. I’m always loathe to play the “I’m a SOMM card”, so I keep pretty quiet. If the tasting room host/hostess seems like they’re on the ball, I will engage. And that usually results in some other bottles appearing for you to taste.

Made it back to the hotel. Ordered room service because we’re too tired to go out. I had the famous Porto sandwich – Francesinha. It’s basically a Portuguese take on Croque Madame. Honestly, the CM is much better. This was a melange of meat, topped with bread, cheese, a fried egg, and smothered in some sort of smoked tomato sauce. Meh.

Trying to make it until 8pm so I can close my eyes. 

Boa noite.

Saúde!

Travel Date: January 28, 2025