After many planes, trains, and automobiles, I arrived in Porto late in the evening yesterday. After showing authorities my passport and collecting my very heavy bags, I pushed it all towards customs, wondering how many suitcases I'd have to open and then repack. But it was easy! The gentleman asked me how long I was planning to stay and I told him until March 27th. He grinned and said, "Welcome to Portugal. You're through!" Whew! I grinned back and pushed my baggage into Portugal. Within the airport, I had to see a man about a sim card at the estação de correios do aeroporto (airport post office). I picked up my package which SHOULD have been a sim card and a Hotspot. Since replacing the sim card without even a paper clip would be difficult, I figured I would do it once I got to my AirBnB. However, once I left the airport, I had no phone whatsoever. No data, no wifi, no calling, all of which meant, no Uber. No worries, I found a taxi. The nice driver and I spoke in Portuguese (win!) and I managed to tell him why I was here and where I was going. He dropped me off, even carrying my heavy bags up the stairs to the front door. I thanked him and he left.

BUT, there was no one home and it began to rain, and I mean heavy, pelting, Porto rain complete with strong winds. I began ringing bells on all three floors of the house, but no one answered. So there I was, stuck outside with my luggage, exhausted, with no one to answer the door and no way to call for help. This is a residential area of Porto, so I couldn't ride out the rain inside a business. Then I got lucky. A young woman was dropped off by a rideshare. As she was entering the house, I hopped up and asked her if she spoke English and if she lived here. She only spoke Portuguese. I managed to convince her that I was supposed to be inside and asked if I could use her phone to call my landlord. Alas, she had but 1% battery left on her iphone. She let me into the foyer and then made the call with her 1%. Thank you, muito obrigada, Nadalia! My AirBnB host was out of town, but she sent her cleaning lady to let me in. Celeste arrived about a half hour later and let me in to my new digs. My temporary home isn't much, but is warm and dry. After a 12 hour sleep, I am rested and ready to return to the airport to collect my sim card. Oh, did I not mention that the fellow at the post office gave me only one of TWO packages? Right. I have a Hotspot, but no sim card, so I still don't have a phone. Next, I will look for a Novo Banco branch to access my account. I have only 66 Euros to my name at the moment. But today I start to explore Portugal and learn to navigate the city. Wish me luck!