I used most of my black and white film taking photos at food markets in London, Barcelona and Porto. I just love food markets. Even though Borough Market was a bit touristy, it still gives me an idea of how people shop and what they buy.
Barcelona was all seafood, chicken, fruit, cheese and ham, ham and more ham.
Borough Markets was more organic fruit and meat and artisan products like wood fired breads and organic cordials. Porto market was old and earthy with lots of little old ladies plying their wares - seafood, chillies, fruit and vegetables, live poultry, flowers and of course, the portuguese staple of salted cod and pigeons hanging from every rafter,
Jillian
I flew home this morning from Hong Kong, 9 hours later than planned and without my luggage but safe and sound. Today in between sleeping, I managed to put together a few images from Porto. I really don't know when I'm going to get the time to go through all the images and prepare them properly. I think it will be quite some time before an album ever sees the light of day.
The Portuguese people were so friendly, generally spoke English and were helpful. I had done some reading on Porto but nothing had prepared me for the large numbers of other European visitors - large numbers of Dutch, German, French and British travellers.
Highlights of Porto were the beautiful tiled buildings, the narrow winding streets and the colourful shabbiness of the place.
It's where I tried my first bacalau fritters down by the river, enjoyed true Portuguese chicken with great fries (no piri piri sauce served here though) and crossed the Dom Luis I bridge to do some port tasting at Sandeman's.
I did a tour there with fellow GAP travellers Adam and Vanessa (thanks to Vanessa who took the photo of me) and enjoyed walking through the lovely old winery.
We took the funicular up the hill and yes, the funicular song was going through my head the whole journey.
I walked my poor calves silly wandering around the town especially on our second day there.
I started at the famous Majestic Cafe, walked to the markets, located the heart of the shopping district, walked down to the Ribeira district to get my laundry done and back again and walked there again later in the evening for dinner and some night photos of the Duoro river.
Whilst the other girls on the trip managed to buy lots of nice things for themselves, apart from some fruit from the markets, I came home empty handed.
After 2 days in Porto we caught a train to Lisbon. I haven't had a chance to look at these photos yet but will try to blog them during the weekend. I think this week will be about returning to work and the gym and recovering from jetlag.
Jillian
