2026-06-20 Waterfalls of São João

During São João, locals build intricate, miniature three-dimensional village dioramas called Cascatas. They are similar to Christmas nativity scenes but are dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and celebrate traditional Northern Portuguese village life. The image above is someone's interpretation of the Chapel of Souls which is across from our apartment, and the surrounding figures are the sights around the neighborhood.

They are called "cascatas" or "waterfalls" because they historically featured real or simulated running water trickling down stepped, terraced hillsides made of moss, cork, and stone. 

In and amongst the scenes, is João the 'Cagão' - the pooper, which is a favorite 'hidden' statue in every cascatas. According to the locals, he acts as a humorous subject, injecting playful, down-to-earth everyday reality into an otherwise religious and traditional display.  He is, indeed, in one of these shots.  Can you find him?

Here are JR and our new friend Jennifer creating their vision of what is in the neighborhood for the local cascatas. Jennifer worked on flowerpots and flowers.

There are a number of cat colonies, so that was my contribution as JR made one of the beloved women who is in the neighborhood but is blind and needs to depend on the kindness of others for coins.

2026-06-19 In Our Backyard

As we have mentioned, the Duoro River is not far from our apartment. This shot is the Duoro from the Jardim do Morro on the Gaia side.  The image looks back to the city of Porto and down the river toward the Atlantic. If the weather agrees, the garden is packed every sunset with people of all ages enjoying the sun's show, sharing some vinho and comida, and reveling in the musical talents of unknown artists from all over Portugal.

Walking 20 minutes from our apartment will provide untold numbers of opportunities. This day, the music schools had several groups out entertaining.  Yes, they are wearing wool.  No it was not cold. Yes, they wear these every day to school, even in the heat.

 

2026-06-14 I love a Parade

This woman was the epitome of joy, happiness and the celebration of her culture. Her spirit is infectious.

The highlight of these groups during the festivities is the "Arruada de Ranchos" (Traditional Folk Parade), an official event in the municipal program where different groups parade through the city center wearing traditional costumes, singing challenges, and playing instruments such as concertinas and cavaquinhos (small Portuguese guitars). It culminates at the City Hall.

Of course, some of the groups go right down our street.

It was so fun to partake in this celebration of Portuguese culture and history.

JR stalking opportunities for crowd shots to use as resource material.

So colorful. community members of all ages participate in these events.

2026-05-14 Freeze Frame

In the former building known as the Prison and Court of Appeal of Porto, now sits the CPF - Centro Português de Fotográfia. This building houses an impressive amount of photographic equipment, significant to Portugal as well as internationally, along with several exhibits. The exhibit we saw today was the work of Vivian Maeir. This exhibition provides the opportunity to see 140 images by Vivian Maier (1926-2009), a nanny who dedicated decades to photography, "mainly capturing the energy of the streets of major American cities". After achallenging childhood, as an adult she found steady work asa nanny, gradually turning a simple hoppy into a passion, never working professionally or selling her work. Her vast photographic archive, comprising more than 120,000 negatives, prints, films, and recordings, only became public when the lockers that belonged to her were auctioned off after being considered abandoned due to non-payment. "Today, Maier is recognized as one of the most unique voices in photography, a legacy all the more surprising as it was built on the fringes of any recognition during her lifetime."

To pay homage to the fact these works were found in a storage locker, some of the displays were set in moving boxes.  It was quite clever.  Her photos are mostly from Chicago and New York and I appreciate the Hull House photos she had taken. Hull House has a fondness in my heart and if you want to read more about it and Jane Addams, you can check this out Hull House Museum. She captured everyday life in, at times, poignant images. Her self-portraits were whimsical and unique.

The renovated building retained much of the character of the original structure, with tall arched ceilings, heavy masonry floors and walls, and barred windows. The central atrium and skylight was quite a space. There were three rooms for the exhibit and they were large, with amazing architecture. JR for scale.

This was the central atrium where the three rooms intersect.  Stacey made a video of the clouds rolling buy. The upper floors contained hundreds of cameras of all types and eras, a comprehensive collection that has to rival collections anywhere.

A view from the windows

They have the most interesting exhibit of camaras of all types.

Our visit was followed by a meandering walk through parks and plazas, including a stop at a cervejaria for lunch.

FC Porto won the division the other week, so they were setting up for a BIG party in the Praça.

2026-05-12 Because you're mine, I walk the line

 

These are all images from our walk the other day.  We walked 40 mins North - uphill - and home another route.  I am just smitten with this City.