A weekend in Porto

Our first official weekend in Porto was forecasted to rain the entire time, but lucked out and got some great weather Saturday.  Friday night we found ourselves at the mall because it was raining and wanted to give Annabelle some new distractions and scenery outside our home's four walls.  Saturday morning we woke up to rain but ventured out anyway to find some great new places.  We dined at an adorable bakery called Tavi, where we indulged in pastries filled with all sorts of goodness.  It's amazing how their breakfast consists of pastries and bread, not eggs, bacon and pancakes. We walked around for hours, found an adorable market where I got a beautiful  bouquet of sunflowers (trying to find things that remind us of home) for 3 Euro and some cookies for later.

Saturday afternoon was Porto's Color Run and unlike at home where it's a 5K run, this consisted of more families, young children in strollers and a 5K walk.  Living on the main drag from the beach, our street was shut down for 5 hours to accommodate the race, so we thought we should participate and go watch the run.  They do their races right.  They had speakers that lined the entire course playing American music.  Andy could not get over that they play all their music in English, although they don't speak English.  It looked like such a fun time and enjoyed watching the participants get covered in paint.  Maybe next year we'll participate as a fam!

Saturday night we walked to a restaurant down the street from us and decided to order a Portuguese favorite.  They have a signature sandwich over here called the Francesinha, so we thought since we are now living here, we need to embrace the culture.  Well let's just say I'm glad we tried it, but don't think I'll ever order one again.  It's more for people that LOVE meat and are really, really, really hungry!  It's layers and layers of meat in between two pieces of bread covered in cheese, with an egg inside, topped with spicy tomato soup, all served in a bowl.  Oh and french fries on the side.  

Friday night at the grocery store where there are pallets of frozen, salted codfish throughout the fish section.  I think Annabelle was like, what the heck is that stinky smell.

Saturday morning at the market.

The infamous Francesinha!!

Andy and Annabelle watching the Color Run.  Annabelle was fascinated with all the people and loud music.

During our stroll Saturday we walked down to the pier where the sea meets the river.  There is a long walkway that goes out into the ocean to a lighthouse that you can walk on.  We walked down to the lighthouse and got soaked from some waves.  Views below.