Man, what a day! Seriously, I can’t even. So, I wake up in Baiao, right? The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I hit up Rua da Liberdade for some coffee. You know, the good stuff. I’m standing there, waiting for my bica, and this old dude starts chatting me up. He’s like, “You know, back in my day…” and I’m thinking, “Bro, I just want my caffeine fix!” But hey, he’s got stories. I mean, who doesn’t love a good tale about the old days?
Then, I head over to the Parque de Baiao. Beautiful place, right? Trees everywhere, kids playing, and I’m just vibing. But then, outta nowhere, this kid runs into me with a soccer ball. Like, seriously? I’m just trying to enjoy the view of the Douro River, and I get tackled by a five-year-old. I laugh it off, but inside, I’m like, “Dude, watch where you’re kicking that thing!”
After that, I decide to stroll down Avenida da República. It’s packed, as usual. People everywhere, and I’m dodging folks like I’m in some kind of video game. I spot this cute little bakery, and I’m like, “Yes, please!” I grab a pastel de nata, and OMG, it’s heavenly. I’m talking about the kind of pastry that makes you forget your problems. But then, I spill some on my shirt. Classic me, right?
So, I’m walking around, feeling all good, when I bump into an old friend. We start catching up, and he tells me about this new job he got at the local winery. I’m like, “Dude, that’s awesome! Free wine?” But then he says it’s a lot of work. I’m like, “Yeah, but wine!”
Then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring. I mean, like, torrential downpour. I’m soaked in seconds. I duck into a shop on Rua de São Pedro, and it’s packed. Everyone’s crammed in there, and I’m just standing there, dripping wet, feeling like a drowned rat. I can’t help but laugh. Like, what else can you do, right?
Finally, the rain stops, and I’m like, “Thank you, Baiao!” I decide to head to the Igreja de Baiao. It’s stunning, man. The architecture is just wow. I sit on the steps for a bit, just taking it all in. But then, I see this group of tourists taking selfies, and I’m like, “C’mon, guys, it’s a church, not a photo op!”
As the day winds down, I’m feeling a mix of emotions. Happy, angry, surprised—like a rollercoaster. I grab dinner at this little spot on Rua do Comércio. The food is bomb, and I’m just enjoying the vibe. I think about how Baiao is this mix of old and new, tradition and chaos.
By the time I head home, I’m exhausted but happy. I mean, what a day! Baiao, you crazy little town, you never fail to surprise me. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!