Man, what a day! I swear, being a car instructor in Jovim is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit the road to meet my first student, Miguel. He’s a cool kid, but man, he’s got the attention span of a goldfish. We’re cruising down Rua da Alegria, and he’s all over the place. I’m like, “Dude, keep your eyes on the road, not on that cute dog!” Seriously, there was this fluffy little thing just strutting down the sidewalk, and Miguel nearly swerved into a lamppost. I had to grab the wheel. Heart racing, I’m like, “Bro, focus!”
Then, we hit the roundabout at Praça da Liberdade. You know, the one with that weird statue? I swear, every time I see it, I think it’s judging me. Anyway, Miguel’s trying to figure out how to merge, and I’m yelling, “Just go! Don’t overthink it!” He finally goes, but he cuts off this old lady in a red Fiat. She honks like she’s auditioning for a symphony. I’m dying inside.
After that, we head to Avenida da Boavista. It’s packed, as usual. I’m sweating bullets, and Miguel’s like, “Can we get ice cream after this?” I’m like, “Sure, if you don’t kill us first!” But then, outta nowhere, this guy on a scooter zooms past us, and I’m like, “What the heck, man? This ain’t a race!”
Finally, we pull over, and I’m like, “Okay, let’s take a breather.” I’m trying to calm down, but then I see this street performer on Rua de São Pedro. He’s juggling flaming torches! I’m like, “Dude, that’s cool, but not as cool as not crashing my car!”
So, after the lesson, I’m feeling a bit better. I drop Miguel off and head to my favorite café, Café do Mercado. I order a bica and a pastel de nata. Life’s good, right? Wrong! I sit down, and my phone buzzes. It’s my next student, Sofia. She’s running late. Classic.
While I’m waiting, I overhear this couple arguing. They’re going at it, and I’m just sipping my coffee, trying not to laugh. The guy’s like, “You never listen!” and the girl’s like, “Well, you never talk!” I’m thinking, “Man, I should teach them how to drive. They’d be great at it!”
Sofia finally shows up, and she’s all flustered. We hop in the car, and she’s nervous. I’m like, “Chill, it’s just driving!” But then, we hit Rua da Liberdade, and she’s gripping the wheel like it’s a lifeline. I’m trying to lighten the mood, saying, “Just pretend you’re in a video game!”
But then, she panics at a red light. I’m like, “Sofia, it’s not the end of the world!” She’s like, “But what if I mess up?” I’m like, “You’re not gonna mess up. Just breathe!”
We finally make it to the waterfront, and I’m like, “Look at that view!” The Douro River is sparkling, and I’m feeling all philosophical. “Life’s like driving, you gotta steer through the bumps.” She laughs, and I’m like, “See? You’re getting it!”
After the lesson, I’m exhausted but happy. I head back home, and I’m thinking about how crazy today was. Jovim is wild, man. One minute you’re dodging scooters, the next you’re sipping coffee while eavesdropping on a couple’s drama.
I flop on my couch, and I’m like, “What a ride!” I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow. But for now, I’m just gonna chill and maybe binge-watch some series. Because, honestly, I need a break from all the chaos. Jovim, you’re a trip!