Man, what a day! Seriously, Alcobaça, you’ve got me all twisted up. I woke up this morning, sun shining through my window on Rua de São Bernardo. I mean, who needs an alarm when the sun’s basically screaming at you, right?
So, I roll outta bed, grab a quick coffee at that little café on Rua de José de Alencar. You know the one? The barista there, Miguel, always has a joke ready. Today, he says, “You’re looking like a matador who lost his cape!” I laugh, but inside I’m like, “Dude, I’m about to face a bull, not a roast!”
Anyway, I head to the arena. The vibe is electric. Fans everywhere, shouting, waving flags. I’m pumped! But then, bam! I trip over a loose cobblestone on Rua da Liberdade. Like, seriously? Who’s in charge of this place? I’m a matador, not a stuntman!
So, I get to the arena, and it’s packed. I can feel the energy. The crowd’s buzzing, and I’m like, “Yeah, let’s do this!” But then, out comes this massive bull. I mean, HUGE. I’m talking about a beast that could probably bench press me. My heart’s racing.
The first few passes go well. I’m feeling like a rockstar. But then, outta nowhere, the bull charges. I dodge, but my foot slips on some mud. I’m on the ground, staring up at this angry bull. My life flashes before my eyes. I’m thinking, “Is this how I go? In Alcobaça, tripped by mud?”
But I roll away just in time. The crowd goes wild! I’m up, adrenaline pumping. I’m like, “Yeah, I meant to do that!” But inside, I’m freaking out.
After the fight, I’m walking down Rua de Dom Pedro V, still buzzing. I stop by the Monastery of Alcobaça. It’s stunning, man. The architecture is insane. I’m just standing there, soaking it all in. Then, I see this couple taking selfies. They’re all lovey-dovey, and I’m like, “Get a room, guys!” But honestly, it’s kinda sweet.
Then, I hit up a local tavern. I need a drink after that madness. I order some vinho and a plate of bacalhau. The waiter, this old dude, says, “You fight bulls, but can you handle our food?” I laugh, but I’m like, “Bring it on!”
As I’m eating, I overhear some locals talking about the history of Alcobaça. They mention the first king, Afonso I, and how he founded the monastery. I’m thinking, “Man, this place has seen some stuff.”
But then, I get a text from my buddy. He’s like, “Dude, you’re famous now!” Apparently, someone filmed my bull fight and posted it online. I’m like, “Great, now I’m a meme.”
The night wraps up, and I’m walking back home, feeling all kinds of emotions. Happy, scared, proud. Alcobaça, you’ve got my heart racing. I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow. Just maybe without the mud this time!