For the first time in over two months of living in the van, I really miss a hot shower and a proper bed. It’s been raining non-stop, and I don’t own an umbrella. I won’t buy one, and I can’t bring myself to steal one either.
I wander through the narrow alleys of this picture-perfect town and stumble into a small roastery called Bastardo Coffee Roasters. I catch up on my social media homework, and the owner strongly advises me not to play music on the streets here.
I take his advice.
Later, I do laundry and run a few errands. Looking at my bank account, it’s hard not to go out and busk – but honestly, I’m glad to have a day off.
On my way back to the bus, I half-heartedly ask at an Irish pub if they ever do live shows. And hell yes – turns out I’m playing tonight.
The owner Ana has great taste in music – I realize that while we wait for guests. She really went to bat for me, even though her husband was skeptical. It’s a rainy Thursday night, super spontaneous – I get it.
Still, I step outside and start chatting up random passersby. It feels awkward, but I’m doing it for Ana, not for myself. I manage to bring in four people. And I play – an intimate little show for six to eight guests.
Ana keeps handing me fresh beers without saying a word. After the show, I ask where her husband was – and there he comes, walking up. He watched the whole concert from across the street. Turns out, when he’s not running the bar, he works security at a local club.
Ana hands me a sandwich for the road. I wander through the quiet streets back to my van.
All these encounters, all these conversations – they’re still buzzing inside me. I soak them up like a sponge.
My tip for Aveiro:
Get lost in the alleys and walk along the dreamy canals. Espresso at Bastardo Coffee Roasters, Ana’s DJ set at Kittens Irish Pub, and dinner at Negroni in Yeah! Aveiro.
