Oporto Odyssee

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First there were bad news from Joana. Her parents don't let her give the room to someone who doesn't def'ly stay for one year (so she won't run the risk of not receiving money all year until her sister returns from Paris). Her voice really sounded remorseful, she seemed to regret it as much as I did, we really took to each other right away. She said he was really sorry but she couldn't change her parents' mind(s?) but she'd help me find another room in the area.
Hell, I was so so down. It's so cruel when you were so cheerful about something that then wouldn't be happening.
My dad drove me to the finance office and afterall it was damn easy to get a número de contribuinte (tax payer's account number/Steuernummer) which you need to have a Portuguese bank account (bloody Deutsche Bank didn't work out). Cheered me up a bit, one success.
Afterwards I had a feijoada (Brazilian national dish) in the shopping centre, there was still lots to do, at least I could need a good meal. Hmm the fruit cocktail was awesome (also had mint)!
I went to the rectorate again. Another porter, but the same story
"But you wanna study abroad, right?"
"No, I want to study here.Your co-worker made the same mistake. "
"Cos your Portuguese is so good."
ha!

Enrolement is only possible next week................
I wanted to take bus 56 to the airport to welcome Romy. When I waited in the shadow and was writing an SMS... the frikkin bus just passed by!! I decided to take another one (71). It went and went and went... to the harbour (Matosinhos)... to the other side of the harbour... Heck, I thought I might want to ask the bus driver whether this bus really goes to the airport - but I thought as long as I don't I can still hope........ It stopped in Leça. So now I should ask the bus driver...
"Errr.... how do I get to the airport?"
At least it was easy to get into the 56 from where the other bus stopped. Frikkin bus didn't show up. I was getting nervous. Romy had already arrived.
Some - in total - 2h later I finally met Romy (only knew her from Instant Messaging), but she's laid back and cheerful, and was happy I helped her. We had another Odyssee in Oporto, figuring out the way to the university in Coimbra. Eventually I brought her to São Bento railway station and then crossed the bridge from Oporto to Vila Nova de Gaia, at the other bank of River Douro. The Ribeira was so beautiful!
I was home even before dinner.

São Bento (click to see pic): from outside, from inside