Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a butcher in Ribeira-Grande ain’t for the faint-hearted. Woke up this mornin’ to the sound of seagulls screamin’ like they were auditionin’ for a horror movie. Seriously, those birds need to chill.
So, I roll outta bed, grab my coffee, and head down Rua da Liberdade. The sun’s shinin’, but it’s that kinda heat that makes ya feel like you’re walkin’ through a sauna. I’m thinkin’, “Great, just what I need today.” But hey, I’m a butcher, I can handle it.
Get to the shop, and it’s already a madhouse. Customers lined up like it’s Black Friday or somethin’. I’m slicin’ and dicin’, tryin’ to keep up. Old Mrs. Silva comes in, bless her heart. She’s always askin’ for the best cuts. “I need somethin’ special for dinner!” she says. I’m like, “Lady, it’s just meat!” But I love her. She’s a regular, and she always brings me cookies.
Then, outta nowhere, this dude barges in. I swear, he looked like he just ran a marathon. He’s pantin’ and shoutin’, “I need a whole chicken! Like, NOW!” I’m thinkin’, “Dude, chill! It’s not a fire drill!” But I grab a chicken, and he pays with a crumpled bill. I mean, come on, man, at least give me a clean note!
After that, I step outside for a breather. The view from the shop is killer. You can see the ocean from here, and the waves crashin’ against the rocks on the coast. It’s beautiful, but I can’t enjoy it. My mind’s racin’ with all the orders.
Then, I hear this commotion down at Praça da República. A bunch of kids are playin’ soccer, and one of ‘em kicks the ball right into a fountain. Water goes everywhere! I’m laughin’ so hard, I almost drop my cleaver. Kids are screamin’ and runnin’ around, tryin’ to fish the ball out. Classic Ribeira-Grande moment, ya know?
But then, I get back to work, and it hits me. I forgot to order more sausages! I’m like, “Noooo!” That’s my specialty! I can’t let the customers down. So, I hop on my bike and race down to the market on Rua do Comércio. I’m dodgin’ cars and people like I’m in some kinda video game.
Finally, I get to the market, and it’s packed. I’m sweatin’ bullets, but I manage to grab what I need. The vendor, a grumpy old guy, gives me a hard time. “You’re late, butcher!” he growls. I’m like, “Yeah, well, I’m not a magician!”
On my way back, I stop by the beach. The waves are crashin’, and I can’t help but smile. This place, Ribeira-Grande, it’s got a vibe. The locals, the food, the ocean. It’s home.
But then, I get back to the shop, and it’s chaos again. A lady’s complainin’ about the price of pork. “It’s too high!” she says. I’m like, “Lady, have you seen the price of everything these days?” But I keep my cool. Gotta keep the customers happy, right?
As the day winds down, I’m exhausted. But I can’t help but feel grateful. I love this job, even on the crazy days. Ribeira-Grande, with its streets and its people, it’s where I belong.
So, I close up shop, head home, and crash on the couch. Tomorrow’s another day, and I’m ready for whatever Ribeira-Grande throws at me. Bring it on!