Porto

The drive to Porto took us along a highway scarred by recent wildfires. The landscape on both sides was blackened, and even the median had been scorched. Smoke hung heavily in the air, clinging to the road, making visibility difficult and quite eerie.

We arrived in Porto early enough to spend the afternoon exploring. In the heart of the old town, we came upon a lively crowd gathered around two street musicians. Savik and Aanya  joined the  dancing, and as a reward, they each received a poetry book by Fernando Pessoa. The performance marked the opening of a newly pedestrianized street that had been under construction for months.

After lunch, Savik gave us a brief, impromptu tour of the city, following Aanya’s lead from the day before. Later, we joined an official walking tour, eager to fact-check some of Savik's enthusiastic claims.

Our first stop was the famous Lion (Griffin) fountain. Nearby, crowds were lining up outside Livraria Lello, one of the oldest and most beautiful bookshops in Porto. The guide explained how it had supposedly inspired Hogwarts in Harry Potter, a connection many locals are proud of. However, J.K. Rowling, who lived in Porto for over a year, has denied this, much to their disappointment.

We then visited the Photography Museum, where we learned about the tragic love story of Ana and Camilo, who were imprisoned there. Their tale ended in blindness, syphilis, and ultimately, suicide !!

Next, we moved on to the main square, where the City Hall stood alongside the most magnificent McDonald’s in the world. It had originally been a grand café before being sold to the fast-food giant. Here, we heard the dramatic history of Pedro and Miguel, whose conflict led to Brazil’s independence, civil war in Portugal, and the preservation of Pedro's heart in Porto.

Our tour continued to São Bento railway station, a masterpiece of tilework depicting the rich history of Porto. Along the way, we paused at various viewpoints offering glimpses of the city’s beauty, though it remained shrouded in the lingering smoke.

We ended the day at the cathedral, where we were delighted to spot signs of the Camino de Santiago—a path my mother is currently walking. It was a poignant reminder of her journey.

Porto is a stunning city, though today its charm was veiled in smoke. We’re hopeful for clearer skies tomorrow.