Porto: Funicular and noise from constructions
 

Hello all!

I'm glad to say Funicular is well, and working.

Construction: the terrible and horrible machine from hell that was working at Largo São Domingos has finished it's work. I don't know it's name, it was a big machine (really big) making holes in the ground. Of course the works continue, but the machines there now, are kind of cosy, making 10% of the original noise. The owner of restaurante "Barrete encarnado", at Travessa da Bainharia, informed me that the ugly machine is gone for good. (as this is an upper point you can see the works).

The works at Praça Almeida Garret (they started in 2018, so some might remember), in front of São Bento Train Sation, at the end of Rua das Flores, also have finished.

At Praça da Liberdade, in front of "Palácio das Cardosas", things are going to last for a while. Arqhueologists are there, from what I heard, trying to understand some intriguing tunnels found. I don't know the reason for the tunnels, but I know that on the right side, where it is now Banco de Portugal, it was a monastery for male monks, and on the right side, where it is know São Bento trains station, it was a Convent for female nuns.

Helena

Hi Helena - nothing going on near the Eurostars Porto Centro I hope?

Helena,
Are they ever going to finish the Time Out market at São Bento station or have they given up on the project?

Melnq8: Eurostars (as well as Pestana Porto, Hotel Teatro and 6 bridges) remains quiet! (all 4 are in the same square)

Maribel: Well... no, I don't think so. Oposite political forces at the city hall enjoy themselves taking one subject to exhaustion.

Quiet - music to my ears, thank you Helena.

Thank you so much for this, HelenaFatima. We will be staying in Myo Design House. Will this be affected by the noise? It’s not clear to me how far we are from Praça da Liberdade.

Hi Progol!

I knew you booked Myo, I though I've already written that noise is not affecting them. The worst noise was at the beggining of Rua das Flores, from a stone cleaning machine that was cleaning the 1st building on the left side (it is finally cleaned), and from the Machine from Hell making holes at Largo São Domingos that is finally gone (for good, I heard).

Some tips:

Sardines are fresh only after May. Usually beggining of June until end of August. You can eat sardines all year, but they are frozen.

Young people singing and playing the guitarr in front (more or less) of Myo: they use those black dresses and cap, because they are students. That's the official dress for our university students (all over the country).

Homeless people: they poped-up during pandemic situation, and it's hard to convince them to go to a communitary residence. They prefer Rua das Flores, and the fontain at Rua Mouzinho da Silveira. They are not dangerous or anything, and they are people like you and me. Don't ostracize them, of course they are beggars, I just say "now, sorry", but in a kind way, looking them in the eyes.

Drug sellers at the end of Rua das Flores: well, this one everybody knows. They are not selling drugs, they are selling crushed bay leafs. Ignore them.

Touristic buses: they only go where regular buses go. They are to big for interesting places. Tuk-tuk: these go where the others don't!

Pick-pockets: very good professionals! They look like tourists, they are young, beautifull, nice, you don't notice them. Take good care of your belongings.

Please feel free to ask whatever you would like to know, I'm happy if I can give answers.

Helena

Thanks, HelenFatima! I do remember that you said the noise wasn’t affecting Myo. My apologies - I’m just double checking because I’m a little bit of a worrier!

Thank you for all your advice. I will remind my husband, too, to be careful. We don’t need any bad experiences to spoil the trip.