Today was a rest day and I rested. I relaxed on my bed on my phone and did a little laundry. The giant blister on the bottom of my foot did not look good. The only thing that moved me from my room was a need for coffee.
About 10am I ventured out and explored the old town. Coimbra is a very nice old city. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Portugal. Windy narrow streets leading to nice marble lined plazas. Lots of bars and restaurants. It has a really nice atmosphere and feel.
After walking around for about an hour I needed a rest and went back to my room. A little later I got a message from Jeanne and Francisco that they had finished laundry and where by the Cathedral. I met them there.
The next few hours were coffee, suckling pig sandwiches, beer, coffee, pharmacy, beer ...
I needed a siesta.
After 7pm we when out for dinner and went into a little taverna below the street: Toca do Gato. It had only about 4 tables inside. A Canadian family with small children from Toronto were the other customers. They only had 3 dishes left so we got the three. Jeanne is a pulpo or pulvo in Portugal fan and this place had excellent pulvo. We also had lamb and chicken. Each protein had a huge side of potatoes. We also had bread with cheese and presunto. So much food.
We had some wine while eating but after dinner during coffee, the owner and the neighbors starting trying to prove Portugal has the best wine and spirits. Jeanne and I had many drinks in front of us. Francisco was having animated conversation with everyone in Portuguese. I would get the occasional translation but not enough to keep up. There was a very heated debate between the other bar owners that had gathered as to which was the best place for us to stop for lunch tomorrow. It was a fun and lively evening.
It was so fun that 7am at the coffee place next to the restaurant that the restaurant guy called to open early for us will be very early.
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