19 Comments
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Marion Teniade's avatar

The peacocks not being photogenic DOES sound ridiculous

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Clara's avatar

And YET!!!

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Colleen's avatar

Whew, what a lovely voyage through your eyes. Thank you.

(And kudos for the little empanada dig at the end. I have always thought that to be the MOST ridiculous thing about her - though truly, I love that whole mess of a show)

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Clara's avatar

Thank you so much, Colleen! (I have always found the empanada business *baffling* but alas I too have spent quite some time on that mess of a show)

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Mark Pullman's avatar

I’ve been traveling solo for ages, and have preferred it. Do I wish a compatible companion…sure, but we are, each and every one of us, wrought of our bubbled experiences so—Venn diagram here—our shared experiences pale next to our differences. Thusly discomforts and discontent. So, better to be responsible for self only than another’s travel happiness. Self-centered, yes, but pragmatic as well. (Sigh.)

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Clara's avatar

I get it, I do!

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Mikala Jamison's avatar

Love this! I did a solo trip (my first ever) to Lisbon + Porto less than 2 years ago and for a litany of somewhat overwrought, cringey reasons it was *life changing*

I also went in February, and when I went to Serralves I was legit the only person there for half of my visit. A whole museum just for me!

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Clara's avatar

February sounds like a perfect time to go, actually (and I somehow always have a more transformational travel experience in the cold??). I've always gone in the summer but next time I'll absolutely be trying for autumn/winter! x

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Steph's avatar

more travel diaries from you pls

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Clara's avatar

omg bless you i literally love doing them

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Stela BM's avatar

I used to live in Porto during covid lockdown to be able to walk to the ocean and back while keeping my distance. I love Porto.

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Eva Mirko's avatar

Imagine my face as I read this while about to embark on three days in Porto… flying out tomorrow yay! Lovely to hear your musings x

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Clara's avatar

Oh yay, that makes me happy!! Have a gorgeous, lovely time, Eva! x

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John Birmingham's avatar

I have sent this to my daughter who is currently soloing through Lisbon.

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Clara's avatar

Oh, amazing! She'll love it, Lisbon is beautiful.

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Lauren K's avatar

This was so delightful- like getting a fun post trip voice note! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your jaunts!

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Clara's avatar

Ahh this is exactly how I mean for these to go, so thank you, Lauren! x

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Barry's avatar

I share your book weakness: I left home with a nice light pack, but thanks to library sales on the way, I now have an extra five kg of books. It's a terrible disability!

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Elizabeth Heydary's avatar

We have peacocks that roam free at our local science center and I have very rarely been able to get a good picture of them in the approximately 300 visits I have taken my kids so I believe they wouldn’t be photogenic.

Loved the empanada comment, on the rare occasions I’ve encountered a mid tier reality star I never have anything to say to them. I saw a Bachelorette in Vancouver for the Eras Tour and I mostly felt weird about seeing her Dancing with the Stars partner on his phone for a long time while she stared out at the water. I was also on the phone at the time.

I have saved this sandwich to my phone in the event I make it there!

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