Man, what a day! I swear, being a ratcatcher in Valongo is like being in a circus, but the clowns are all rodents. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s barely up, and I’m already thinking about the mess I gotta deal with. I grab my gear—trap, bait, gloves, the whole shebang. I’m ready to tackle the rat problem in Rua da Liberdade.
First stop, I hit up the bakery on Rua 25 de Abril. Best pastéis de nata in town, no joke. I grab a couple, ‘cause you gotta fuel up, right? I’m munching on these creamy delights, and I’m thinking, “Life’s good.” But then, bam! My phone buzzes. It’s a call from the city council. They’re like, “Hey, we got a rat infestation near the train station.” Ugh, great. Just what I needed.
So, I head over to the station, and let me tell ya, it’s chaos. People everywhere, trains coming and going, and rats scurrying like they own the place. I spot one, a big fella, just chilling by the ticket machine. I’m like, “Dude, you’re not supposed to be here!” I set my trap, but this rat? He’s too smart. He just looks at me, like, “You think you can catch me?”
I’m sweating bullets, man. I’m running around, trying to catch this little punk. I’m dodging commuters, and I swear, one lady almost spills her coffee on me. I’m like, “Lady, I’m not the one you should be mad at!” Finally, I corner him near the vending machines. I’m feeling like a hero, right? But then, outta nowhere, a pigeon swoops down and distracts me. The rat bolts! I’m cursing under my breath. “Stupid bird!”
After that fiasco, I decide to take a breather. I hit up the park near the Igreja Matriz. It’s nice there, you know? Kids playing, old folks feeding the ducks. I sit on a bench, trying to calm down. I’m thinking about how Valongo’s got its charm, despite the rat drama. The hills, the old buildings, the vibe. But then, I hear a commotion.
Some guy’s yelling about a rat in his house on Rua da Estação. I’m like, “Seriously? Can’t a guy catch a break?” I rush over, and this dude is losing it. He’s waving his arms, talking about how the rat stole his sandwich. I’m trying not to laugh, but come on! A rat with a taste for sandwiches? That’s a new one.
I get to his place, and it’s a mess. Crumbs everywhere, and I spot the rat. He’s just chilling, like he owns the joint. I set my trap again, and this time, I’m ready. I’m like a ninja, creeping up on him. But then, the guy’s dog starts barking like crazy. The rat freaks out and darts under the couch. I’m losing my mind!
Finally, after what feels like hours, I manage to catch the little thief. I’m holding him up like a trophy, and the guy’s cheering. “You did it!” I’m like, “Yeah, just another day in Valongo.” But inside, I’m thinking, “I need a drink.”
So, I head to my favorite bar on Rua da Paz. I order a beer, and I’m just sitting there, reflecting on the day. I’m exhausted, but I can’t help but laugh. Valongo’s wild, man. It’s got its ups and downs, but it’s home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
As I finish my drink, I think about tomorrow. More rats, more chaos. But hey, that’s the life of a ratcatcher. Bring it on, Valongo!