July 19, 2015 - Coimbra

 Luckily the metro strike was over and we were able to easily get to the train station.  We did realize that packing lighter is better as you have to lift your suitcases onto the train.  Each trip to Europe our luggage gets lighter and lighter.

 Once we got to the Coimbra B station we had to cross the tracks and wait for the train that would take us into town.

 Our hotel is very close to the station and is on a narrow little road which is mostly just for pedestrians.

 We found the hotel easily.

 We are staying at the Hotel Domus which was recommended by Rick Steves.  It was 65.70 Euros for the night for two rooms with breakfast.

 When all else fails we pull out the guide to help us get around town.

It was time for lunch.  

 Elaine found this cute restaurant

 by following this cute waiter back to the restaurant.  The food was very good and very reasonably priced.

 Now it was time to explore the city and maybe shop a little also.

 It is fun walking through the narrow streets and seeing what you will find.  These men playing some form of checkers that we couldn't figure out but we did understand that one said the other cheated and that is why he lost.

 A few little pathways will open up into a little square.

 The ceiling of the church.

 I love how beautiful the pipes of the organs are.

 The wall is done in tiles.

 This is the front of the church were later in the evening we attended a folk show.

 The main walking lane in old town.

 The witches eyes freaked me out.

 Diaria anyone?

 I think this would be a deterrent for people to walk into the shop that it was in front of.

 Oh look there is a bakery.

 Anyone want a plate size meringue

 The bakery shop is in the square at the edge of the historical center.

 Roger and Elaine picked out a few pastries to try.

 Then we headed out to walk across the bridge.

 Looking back up at the old town from the bridge.

 You can see they put a board up to keep the cat from jumping from the window to the balcony but you could tell it still wanted too.

 We came back to one of the squares to watch a folk dress/song/dance show which was fun to watch and to mingle with the residents.

We didn't last through the whole show since it started at 22:00 and was still going strong at 23:00.  So we headed back to the hotel for what I hope is going to be a good night sleep.