Coimbra and Visiting Sara

After a day and a half in Porto, we took a two-hour train south to the large, university town of Coimbra … also home to Sara, the Portuguese assistant who lived with us in Rennes! Coimbra was great because we stayed with Sara’s family for two nights, and you really get a better feel for a place when you actually stay/eat/talk with locals, particularly a family. First off, they live in a great house located about 15 minutes from the city, technically in the countryside – their backyard literally looks out over a small vineyard … awesome.

Sara's House & Backyard ... beautiful

Sara gave us a full-day tour of the city … we toured the campus & downtown area, with multiple stops for café, beer, the local pastry specialty, etc. Oh, and I must mention the sandwich that we had for lunch. The name of the sandwich in Portuguese is the “French Specialty,” and I think the French would actually be a bit offended by this. I ordered the “sandwich” but was served a gigantic plate of: sausage, ham, and pork in between bread that was covered in thick cheese & tomato sauce … with an egg on top … surrounded by fries. It was tasty but a bit much. I should have taken a picture … bummer.

Our last night in Coimbra we had a great meal with Sara’s family – I think it was a Brazilian-style meal, actually … about five different kinds of grilled meat, served with rice, black beans, and salad. I told you the Portuguese can eat. Then we had freshly whipped cream and strawberries for dessert. After the French sandwich for lunch and this … I couldn’t take anymore. But I did … a neighbor showed up with another traditional, Portuguese dessert – rice/cream pie topped with cinnamon. And they have a killer espresso machine in their kitchen, so we ended with decafs. Quite the meal! And it was great to meet her family – really friendly & hospitable, even though I couldn’t directly communicate with them; they spoke to me in Portuguese, I spoke to them in French, and we just kinda acted like we understood each other. It works, haha.

Overlooking Coimbra with Sara & Andrea:















On the university campus: