Man, today was a wild ride. I mean, I’m just a barista in Tomar, right? But wow, what a day! So, I roll into work at Café Templário, my usual spot on Rua da Liberdade. The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinking, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First customer walks in. This dude, I swear, he orders a double espresso with oat milk, no foam, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Like, bro, it’s 8 AM! Who even drinks that at this hour? I’m already rolling my eyes, but whatever. I whip it up, and he’s like, “This is too hot.” I’m like, “Dude, it’s coffee. Not a bath.”
Then, outta nowhere, my buddy Miguel bursts in. He’s all hyped, talking about the Festa dos Tabuleiros. I’m like, “Dude, it’s months away!” But he’s convinced it’s gonna be epic this year. I mean, who doesn’t love a parade of giant bread trays? Classic Tomar, right?
So, I’m trying to keep up with orders, and then this lady walks in. She’s got a dog. A tiny, yappy thing. And it’s barking like it’s auditioning for a role in a horror movie. I’m trying to make a cappuccino, and this dog is just losing it. I’m like, “Can someone please take this dog outside?” But no, she’s all, “He’s just excited!” Excited? More like possessed!
Finally, I get a breather. I step outside for a sec, and the view from the Praça da República hits me. The Templar Castle in the background, the river reflecting the sun. It’s beautiful, man. I take a deep breath, and for a moment, I forget about the chaos. But then, I see a group of tourists trying to take a selfie with the castle. They’re all crowded together, and one dude trips and falls right into a fountain. I can’t help but laugh. Like, classic tourist move!
Back inside, the rush is on. I’m making lattes like a machine. And then, my favorite regular, Ana, comes in. She’s always got a smile, and she orders her usual – a mocha with extra whipped cream. I love her vibe. She tells me about her day, and I’m just nodding, but inside I’m thinking, “I need a mocha too!”
But then, the power goes out. Just like that. No lights, no coffee machines. I’m standing there in the dark, and I can hear the groans from the customers. I’m like, “Welcome to Tomar, folks! We do things the old-school way!”
I grab my phone, and we’re all huddled around the window, waiting for the lights to come back. And guess what? They don’t. So, I start telling stories about the history of Tomar. Like, did you know the Convent of Christ is a UNESCO site? I mean, it’s right down the street! People are actually listening, and I’m feeling like a tour guide.
Finally, the lights flicker back on, and everyone cheers. I’m back to making coffee, but now I’m on a roll. I’m throwing in jokes, and people are laughing. It’s like a mini comedy show in the café.
As the day winds down, I’m exhausted but happy. I clean up, and as I’m locking up, I look at the castle one last time. Tomar’s got this magic, you know? It’s chaotic, it’s beautiful, and it’s home.
So yeah, that was my day. Full of coffee, chaos, and a bit of history. Can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow!