Malta and Portugal

Malta is a truly unique place; centuries of mixed cultures have shaped its charm and beauty. My main reason for visiting was to meet up with a high school friend. He often travels around the world to attend shows from our favorite music label, so this leg was a bit different from my main objectives on this journey. It was great to reconnect and share our mutual joy for music. I arrived a few days before him and stayed at a hostel for the first time since I started my travels. There, I met other travelers, exchanged stories, and even joined up for some sightseeing. Together, we explored the island’s beaches, cities, and natural wonders, and it was fun to share these moments with a mix of travelers—different people from different places coming together.

Toward the end of my time in Malta, I developed a sore throat and a cough. I tested negative for COVID, but whatever I had was persistent, making travel more challenging than usual. I wore a mask on my flight to Lisbon to avoid spreading it. I had originally planned to stay with a friend but decided to book an Airbnb for a few days to rest and, hopefully, not pass along my illness. Once I moved to my friend’s place, I was still struggling with a cough and chest congestion. After chatting with my older sister, I went to a doctor and confirmed it was bronchitis and they prescribed me antibiotics.

Lisbon has been a wonderful city to explore. I’ve spent a lot of time walking around and taking the subway. The city’s hilly landscape means you can reach viewpoints with incredible vistas within a short distance. It’s impressive to see how buildings have been constructed along these cliffs. Lisbon also balances its urban spaces with parks and green areas throughout the city. Being in Europe, I’m surrounded by ancient structures, each with its own story. I visited São Jorge Castle, Águas Livres Aqueduct, and several churches and smaller curiosities scattered throughout the city. I learned about the massive earthquake in the mid-1700s that nearly wiped out Lisbon; it was fascinating to see both the structures that survived and those rebuilt afterward.

During this stay, I also visited Porto, where a friend who moved there about six years ago lives with his family. I was lucky with the weather, which was sunny and mild during my visit. We walked around the downtown area, crossed Dom Luís I Bridge, and walked by the various wine cellars. We shared some great meals and caught up on life since we last saw each other. By chance, I discovered that another friend from São Paulo, who moved to the UK over a decade ago, had recently relocated to Porto as well. We reconnected and spent some time reminiscing, which was a pleasant surprise.

As I write this, I have about a week left in Lisbon. I plan to explore more of the city and continue reading and writing. My time in Portugal has moved at a good pace, balancing rest, recovery, and all the country has to offer. From here, I’ll be heading to Morocco for my first work exchange, where I’ll stay at a business or organization at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free, in exchange for helping out. I’m choosing work exchanges focused on social change, and I’ll be staying at an English school, assisting with classes and other tasks. I’m looking forward to it and plan to spend about a month there.