“Travels to a Different Time” : 12July1978: Faro, Portugal: Follow the Crowd to Food: Gringo Tries to Pick up Local Girl

Up at 8:30 and followed the flow of people to the market. If you are up early enough this trick always lands you in the market and food! Had some breakfast which included yogurt which I am beginning to like. I found out that a bus was leaving for the main beach in 90 minutes so while waiting had a pineapple Sumol. Pestered by a gypsy beggar child who was tenacious. Took the #16 bus to the beach and the waves were big and the water freezing. While Portuguese beaches can be scenic the Atlantic is frigid. Give me the Mediterranean, Ionian or Adriatic for warm water. Beside me a gringo was trying to make it with a local girl but who knows the outcome. From what I can see Portugal is a very conservative society and I can’t picture the local girls easy marks for tourists. In 45 minutes burnt to a crisp so had a cool drink at a café while waiting for the bus. Had some grapes upon returning to room. Dressed up a bit and headed to the bourgeoisie hot spot for dinner. The meal at Casa Lumeria was excellent except there were some Yanks speaking loudly and getting dirty stares for their gregarious behaviour. Had a coffee and pastry and bakery and returned home to bed.