So. Many, Stairs. The Clerigos

[chawen]

 

So. Many. Stairs. The Clericgos

 

 

 

Bom Dia,

We start the day off with Adventures in European Plumbing. I needed to wash my hair, so I tried adjusting the shower head to make that easier. It didn't, but I couldn't get it to go back to "normal." Instead water jetted out from places I didn't expect. Oh. That's what those little holes in the wall are. Not a design. I get it now. I played around with the knobs and got to where I needed to be, and my hair got washed.

Next I recycled some glass and plastic bottles and went off to a big supermarket I discovered on my jaunts. Here's the deal. I like my digs. For one thing they are very quiet, but there's no kitchenette. I have a small fridge and a microwave, plus an electric kettle and plates and cutlery. So I was delighted to find a pack of hard boiled and shelled eggs. I also got some food I could microwave, plus water and wine.

Then it was time to set off. As I have mentioned before Porto is up and down, and if I don't come home in good physical condition, I will feel cheated. My target The Clerigos is up a steep hill. And then there are stairs. Oh my God. The stairs.

The big draw is the Tower because of the magnificent views over the city, but my tower climbing days are over. Also on offer is some kind of light show that appears to promise a spiritual experience. I passed on that, too.  I wanted to see the chapel and the museum.  I had to wait in line, but not long. Oddly enough when I stand still, my poor little foot doesn't hurt. 

So a group of us were let in, and I was given instructions by the nice young man who sold me my ticket. I'll be frank. The exhibits were mostly not that interesting although I did enjoy a notable collection of Late Medieval Polychrome wood carvings. But to get from point A to point B, there were stairs and plenty of them.

I would climb up dark narrow stairways go along a passage and then would be directed down a dark narrow stairway. Over and Over and Over again.  I walk just fine, but I don't have good balance, so I have to be super careful on stairs--even at home.

 

Except for the stairs I enjoyed the visit. I had been instructed to follow the signs for the Tower, but I actually got to the Tower entrance and had to ask (another very nice young man) how to escape. This involved--wait for it--a Lot Of Stairs. And even outside, I had to climb down Stairs. Right now I am Sick of Stairs.

But I also got to see another part of this beautiful city. And the traffic wasn't too bad. Some streets have Palermo-like traffic with angry honking. My only problem today was dodging tour groups.

Adeus