Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a shoemaker in Santarém is like riding a rollercoaster. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit the streets. I’m walkin’ down Rua da Liberdade, and I swear, the cobblestones are out to get me. I trip over one, spill my coffee all over my favorite apron. Ugh! I’m like, “Great start, genius.” But whatever, I brush it off.
I get to my shop on Rua Serpa Pinto, and it’s packed! Like, where did all these people come from? I mean, it’s a Tuesday! I’m tryin’ to focus, but there’s this kid outside, right? He’s kickin’ a ball, and boom! It hits my window. I’m like, “Dude, chill!” But he just laughs and runs off. Kids these days, man.
So, I’m workin’ on this pair of boots for some fancy guy. He wants ‘em custom-made, all leather and stuff. I’m like, “Sure, buddy, but you better pay up!” I’m stitching away, and then my buddy Miguel pops in. He’s always got some wild story. Today, he’s talkin’ about the river, the Tejo, and how it’s been lookin’ all muddy lately. I’m like, “Dude, it’s a river, not a swimming pool!”
Then, outta nowhere, this lady storms in. She’s fuming! Turns out, her heels broke right in the middle of the Praça Sá da Bandeira. I mean, who doesn’t check their shoes before a big day? I’m tryin’ to calm her down, but she’s like a volcano ready to erupt. I fix ‘em up quick, and she’s all smiles again. “You’re a lifesaver!” she says. I’m thinkin’, “Nah, just a shoemaker, but I’ll take the compliment!”
After that, I decide to take a break. I stroll down to the Jardim da Liberdade. Man, it’s beautiful there! The flowers are bloom’n, and the fountain’s splashing. I sit on a bench, just chillin’. But then, I see this old guy feeding pigeons. And I’m like, “Dude, those birds are gonna take over the world!” Seriously, they’re everywhere!
I head back to the shop, and guess what? My neighbor, Ana, is having a yard sale. She’s got all this junk out, and I can’t help but stop. I find this old pair of shoes. They’re hideous, but I’m like, “I can work with this!” I buy ‘em for a euro. Ana’s laughing, “You’re crazy!” I’m like, “Yeah, but I’m a creative genius!”
The day drags on, and I’m exhausted. I’m about to close up when this guy walks in. He’s got the wildest hair and a shirt that looks like it’s from the ‘80s. He wants a pair of sandals, but he’s super picky. I’m like, “Dude, it’s just sandals!” But he’s all, “They gotta be perfect!” I’m thinkin’, “Man, it’s Santarém, not Paris!”
Finally, I finish up and lock the door. I’m walking home, and the sunset over the Tejo is just stunning. I stop at a little café on Rua de Marquês de Pombal. I grab a pastel de nata. Best decision ever! I sit there, savoring it, and I’m like, “This is life.”
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of chaos, laughter, and a bit of madness. Santarém, you never cease to amaze me! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.