Leça da Palmeira, Oporto city
By Jose Calejo
18 Mar 2009
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
I live in Leça da Palmeira (you pronounce the ç like a snake does ssssss…), a seaside town in the suburbs of Oporto, a city in the north of Portugal that is known for its beaches. My house is inserted in a cosy neighbourhood called “Lar do Trabalhador”, “Worker’s home” in English.
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
Well, I can say it is a seaside neighbourhood, with very simple tiny houses, without any social problems. It has a long avenue that lines the seaside, so we can say it is very windy and cold but in the summer you have the awe-inspiring sunsets, the calm and melting hot midday sun, and the nights that come along either with the freezing sea breeze and the relaxing land breeze.
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
I have lived here since I was born. Although I identify myself with it, I think I have more things in common with other places than Leça.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
When someone asks me this question I can clearly say the beach! Going to the beach is one of my favourite hobbies. The contact with the nature, with the giant blue sea and with the confusing waves make me feel free to go anywhere and to imagine anything. I also enjoy the beach because I practice skim boarding, as you can see in my image. And Leça’s sea is a great place to do it.
On the other hand, I hate the streets, mainly during the summer because they make the city look clogged and haphazard. The big buildings also give a tacky look to this place, and there is no harmony between the nature and the tall buildings.
Do you feel that you belong there?
Although I like living here I don’t really feel I belong to Leça. I believe there is somewhere out there a place where I fit, and where will I find the conditions to satisfy my needs and wishes.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
The way people here talk, with no doubt. When foreigners arrive at Porto, they always have something to say about our accent or about the words we “make up”. But sincerely, I think that this is what separates us from them.
As I have once read “They laugh because I am different, but I laugh because they are all the same.”
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
It is the weather definitely. Everyone I know that has only come to Porto once or twice always say the worst thing about it is the weather because it is always changing.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
The utopian sunsets I can observe from my window with which I get astonished. I love theirs magic and impressive mixture of lights and colours.
Anything else you'd like to add?
There is another thing I would like to add. Just about 500 meters from my home it is the refinery. I hate it because the air isn't as pure as it could be. The sea isn't as clean as it should be. In my opinion it should be demolished and be replaced by a central park... It would be much more productive and healthier.
