Waking this morning, we first packed up (well, okay, truth be told I showered prior to that (I’m assuming the people we would sit near on the train might appreciate that), and then we went for a quick bite on a main street just one block away from our hotel. Then it was back to the hotel to collect our stuff after a check of the room to be sure we left nothing behind besides Dan’s torn pants (someone could, if they were up for it, turn them into a great pair of shorts!). We took an Uber to the train station which took a while: it might have even been faster (but more painful with our luggage) to walk!

When we got on the train and were putting our backpacks up above us the four people in our same row asked if that was all we traveled with. They seemed rather astounded so we chatted about how we pack. The conversation continued in other directions as well, and we learned the couple closest to us were from Napa. Small world, as always. We were still chatting when a woman behind and to my right gave me (well, all of us, I suppose, but I was the one who turned around) a lecture on our being too loud. Having heard that we Americans are just too doggone loud, I was horrified and embarrassed. Later Dan said he really felt the lecture was unnecessary and she could have just shushed us. The truth is we were too loud, but the train hadn’t left yet and I’m fairly sure the conversation would have ended at that point. But me being me I felt just horrible for the whole ride, as I tend to see things as my fault. Sigh.

Otherwise the ride was uneventful (and yes, the conversation completely shut down), and we arrived at our next destination only about 20 minutes late. (Not all trains are timely!) So hello, Coimbra.

Our hotel is basic (and I forgot to take a photo which I so often do. Oh well. I’ll shoot one now that is really a nothing photo.

It says it’s a 3 star but it feels a bit like a 2. And who cares? We sleep here. That is about it. We are only here for two nights, so it’s a very brief stay. Outside is a bit grungy, but we are only a few blocks from the old town, and then a good climb up to the Coimbra University. There is a rooftop view, so we checked that out before heading up the very steep hill.

Once we got settled we went out and aimed toward that university. I love the narrow walkways and alleys, and I marvel at the vehicles that can maneuver through some of them. (Later, when we were walking down from the university, cars would race down the small alley we were in and we had to find a safe spot to stand as they passed by. They are not at all hesitant to speed by us!)

But back to the university. I had read we’d see students in robes, and, sure enough, a student soon passed us in her robe.

We went up to the top to find the Baroque Library we’ll visit tomorrow, and we wandered around a bit. I actually hadn’t expected to get to do much today, so I was glad we were able to get out and explore as much as we did.

We finally headed back down (those photos are also above this paragraph), and looked to see where we might eat. I had seen a street on our way up that looked rather nice — a narrow street with a few different colors of chairs outside so I knew there was more than one restaurant. Sure enough, we landed back on that street and started looking. While looking at the first place another couple were peering in as well. The woman had both Canada and an Ukraine flag pins on her shirt and I told her I liked them. I sort of said, apologetically, that we were from the United States. She then said they were from Seattle. They, like us, are rather horrified by our country right now. Go figure. They also said they were on a Rick Steves tour.

While we didn’t choose the restaurant we saw with them, we did opt for one right down the same alley. They took our reservation for 6:30, but it was only 6:10 so we had to kill some time. That meant a wee bit of walking, and a couple of pieces of chocolate at a chocolate shop nearby that smelled amazing. (Yes, we had to suffer greatly while waiting for dinner.)

Dinner was at Fangas Maior, a restaurant that serves tapas — and it was quite yummy. I think we spent 2 1/2 hours there in our typical fashion. We so frequently outlast other diners. Go figure.

Then it was back to the hotel, with a few photo shots on the way.

Tomorrow we have the University visit to do, but otherwise we’ll just have to see what the day brings.