Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, built along hills next to the beautiful Deautro river. I travelled with 2 friends, one of which was born and raised in Porto and we stayed in her avo's (nan's) apartment in the city's metropolitan area of Gaia, just a 15 minute metro ride into the city. From shopping in the heart the city and admiring the varied architecture to visiting the streets that are not shown in the touristy books; I had the opportunity to see such a city where the grass is not always greener and it was eye opening.
The main reason we were there at that time (besides visiting my friend's family)...
BON SAO JUAO! (Happy St John's!)
Festa de São João do Porto,
The festival of St. John of Porto was insane. One of the most lively, crazy traditional events and I would live it over and over. Thousands and thousands gather on the eve of St. John in the centre of the city and party all night; fireworks, street parties and concerts, smell of sardines everywhere. One of the crazy traditions of this festival is to smack each other with small plastic squeaky hammers (still haven't got the sound out of my head); it's hysterical, hectic but incredible. Another tradition is garlic flowers..but if you get hit on the head, the stench of garlic doesn't leave your hair for days.
We spent the entire night walking and dancing in the massive crowds and eventually made it home at 7 am the next morning.
Overall, I was blown by this trip; a whole different culture experience. It increased my wanderlust x1000000000000000. Travelling for a month next year is definitely on the cards!
