Batalha Square - Porto

Today my immagination is running wild, maybe it was too many hours of sleep last night or just an apreciation of all the colorful sights that I can finally appreciate in Batalha Square.

My hotel, Quality Inn is at the center of Batalha Square, although it has been my home for the last six days I never had the ooportunity to simply appreciate the hustle and bustle of all that criss-cross this square. To the right of the Quality Inn are two cafes that are filled to capacity with patrons, a scene that I had never witnessed in the evening hours. Cafe Chave Douro and Tropical Snack Bar must have their regular Sunday morning customers, not the same late night tourists that occupy those same seats.

Tour bus after bus have passed this sqaure filled with tourists from all over the world since I have been sitting on my bench, nestled under the shade of an oak tree that I share with my two new friends from Dakar, Senegal. I must not forget that I also share this prime space with twenty or so pigeons that consistently roam the perimeter of Batalha Square.

To the left of my hotel, Charasqueira Brasil is quickly setting up the veranda chairs and tables that I am sure will quickly fill up with hungry patrons. I have not yet had an opportunity to experience this Brasilian style of cuisine but may do just that today. Along the same pathway, you will find Tabacaria Brasil my preferred stop for a morning newspaper and brief conversation with Antonio, an older fellow who appears to have read every headline before 6:00 AM. I walk a few more paces and enter Cafe Java, I rest my laptop at a table closest to the open window and go about my business. Zecca, already knows that when I'm ready I'll signal him over and order my preferred drink, "um cafe por favor".