Now I Have Arrived!

September 6, 2022

This trip did not get off to a good start for me. First, my flight was delayed by an entire day. The flight from Seattle to Dallas was an hour late, which meant I would not make my connection. Luckily, I learned this before arriving at SeaTac. (Always check your email before a flight!) It didn’t end up being too bad, though. I went back to sleep and got some much-needed rest. I then took a walk and relaxed, knowing that I would need to get up at 3:30 the following day for my 7:00 AM flight.

Today I feel relieved. The flights to Madrid went as smoothly as possible; I’m just not a good plane sleeper. Maybe someday I will be wealthy enough to fly first class. I arrived at my hotel on Sunday morning hungry and exhausted. Fortunately, I could check in at 8:00 AM because I had already paid for the room the night before. It wasn’t much of a room, but I can’t complain. I got a bargain rate for being close to the city center. My room had one window that faced one of those nondescript courtyards, you know, with a view of the apartments across. In other words, no view, just daylight.

I allowed myself some time to rest and got up around 11:30 to walk over to Retiro Park, about 7 blocks away. At that time, I realized I was dehydrated and constipated, a combination that often comes with long flights.

In my zombie-like state, I walked through the park and over to the Plaza Mayor and some other sights. It was warm but not oppressively hot, somewhere in the 80s. To ease my digestive distress, I stopped at a health-oriented restaurant. I had fresh-squeezed juice (carrot, pineapple, and orange) along with a custom-made salad. I walked as much as possible and returned to my non-descript hotel room.

I then realized that I was facing a severe digestive challenge. I drank lots of hot water through the afternoon; I was genuinely becoming uncomfortable. I should have made a trip to the farmacia right then, but I was exhausted. Big mistake!

By 2:00 AM, I was miserable. I got online and found a 24-hour pharmacy just a few blocks away. Given the hour, I asked the gentleman at the front desk to call a taxi. The driver showed me where to walk up the 24-hour window, and the pharmacist gave me the only remedy available without a prescription, laxatives.

It was a long night and a long day following that. I finally got relief at 4:00 PM the next day. Then I promptly got in the shower, walked through the neighborhood, and over to Eva Perone Park. Things were looking up! I would make my flight to Porto.

What a difference a day makes!

It was another early wake-up, at 5:15 this time. I still wasn’t feeling 100%, but I was well enough to get myself checked in at Ryan Air. Thankfully the flight to Porto was only 55 minutes.

Then, thanks to a free airport pick-up from Booking.com (Why I got this perk, I do not know.) I was greeted by my private driver, who took me directly to my apartment for the next week. He was familiar with Spain and was excited for me to become acquainted with his hometown. I should have taken notes as he went on and on about all the things I must do during my week here.

I received an early check-in, and the kind young woman carried my 18.5-kilo bag (almost 41 pounds) up two long flights of stairs.

The apartment is about as charming as it possibly could be. It is a studio in an older building with an updated kitchen and bathroom. It is small but perfect! I even have a Juliet balcony and two large windows—the complete opposite of my Madrid hotel room. The ceilings are at least ten feet high, and the street view is ideal. Not to mention, there is a sizeable grocery store two doors away. That was excellent news for this starving, exhausted woman!

I walked over and bought a bunch of groceries, including a grinder with salt and herbs. Such a great idea! I made a big pot of chicken and vegetable soup, perfect for my imbalanced digestive tract.

After lunch and a nap, I took off to explore the area. At first, I got a little confused with my directions, and, surprise, I ended up back at the apartment. Along the way, I booked a massage for tomorrow afternoon at 4:00. Yes, I will be able to find the place!

For my second outing, I headed down by the Douro River. Talk about picturesque; It is stunning! I had a feeling I would like Porto. I was having so much fun that I didn’t notice my phone was low on battery, and it quit on me. Initially, I panicked and thought something was wrong with it. I missed a few photos, but I am here for an entire week. I will get back over the bridge more than once, probably tomorrow.

I might have taken yet another nap before facing the challenge of the microwave-convection oven with Portuguese wording. Thank you, Google Translator. The soup was good the second time, accompanied by some potato chips and flan for dessert.

I have some gluten-free places scoped out for the coming days, but it is nice to have my own kitchen, too! Fruit, bacon, eggs, and ginger tea for breakfast tomorrow.