Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m a car instructor, right? And today, I had the wildest ride in Câmara de Lobos. Like, who knew teaching people to drive could be this intense?
First off, I roll up to the driving school on Rua da Alegria. Irony, right? I’m not feeling too joyful yet. The sun’s blazing, and I’m already sweating like a pig. I’m thinking, “Great, just what I need.” But hey, I love this job, so I shake it off.
My first student, João, shows up late. Classic! He’s all flustered, like he just ran a marathon. He hops in the car, and I’m like, “Dude, you good?” He’s like, “Yeah, yeah, let’s go!” So we hit the road, and I’m trying to keep it chill. But then, we hit the narrow streets near the harbor. You know, those tight spots by the fishing boats? Yeah, that’s where the fun begins.
João’s gripping the wheel like it’s a lifeline. I’m sitting there, heart racing, thinking, “Please don’t crash into a boat!” He’s swerving left and right, and I’m yelling, “Easy, man! You’re not in a race!” But he’s got that look in his eyes, you know? The “I’m gonna nail this” look. Spoiler alert: he didn’t.
Then, outta nowhere, this seagull swoops down and nearly takes off my hat! I’m like, “What the heck, bird?!” João bursts out laughing, and I’m just trying to keep my cool. I mean, come on! A seagull? In Câmara de Lobos? This is not a scene from a movie!
After that chaos, we head up to the viewpoint at Cabo Girão. The view is insane! You can see the cliffs, the ocean, everything. I’m feeling all philosophical, like, “Life is beautiful, man.” But then, João decides to take a selfie while driving. I’m like, “Bro, focus on the road!” He’s laughing, and I’m just praying we don’t end up in the ocean.
Next up, I get this lady, Maria. Sweet as pie, but she’s got zero confidence. We’re cruising down Rua da Praia, and she’s going 20 km/h. I’m like, “C’mon, Maria! You’re not in a funeral procession!” She’s all nervous, and I’m trying to pump her up. “You got this! Just pretend you’re in a race!” But she’s still crawling along. I swear, I could’ve walked faster.
Then, we hit a roundabout. You know, those things that confuse everyone? She’s like, “Which way do I go?” I’m thinking, “Lady, it’s a circle! Just keep turning!” But she panics and slams on the brakes. We stop dead in the middle, and I’m like, “This is it. We’re gonna get rear-ended.” But somehow, we survive. Thank you, Câmara de Lobos traffic!
After that, I’m feeling a bit drained. I grab a coffee at this little café on Rua da Ladeira. Best coffee ever! I’m sitting there, trying to catch my breath, when I overhear this old guy talking about the fishing boats. He’s all nostalgic, saying how Câmara de Lobos used to be a fishing village. I’m like, “Man, I get it. This place has character.”
But then, I get a call. My next student, Pedro, is stuck in traffic. I’m like, “Great, just what I need.” So I’m waiting, and I start people-watching. There’s this kid flying a kite, and I’m thinking, “Why can’t life be that simple?”
Finally, Pedro shows up, and he’s all hyped. We hit the road again, and he’s zooming down Rua do Pescador like he’s in a Fast and Furious movie. I’m yelling, “Slow down, Vin Diesel!” But he’s loving it. I’m half scared, half impressed.
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. I’ve laughed, I’ve yelled, and I’ve almost lost my hat to a seagull. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Câmara de Lobos, with its crazy streets and beautiful views, keeps me on my toes.
So yeah, that was my day. Just another wild ride in this beautiful little town. Can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow!