We met in a park nearby. You wanted coffee, I wanted to take you to a Point of View.
We had the coffee first accompanied by a not-so-great Pastel de Nata and after you agreed to go with me. On the way we passed by Campo Martires da Pátria, you took some pictures of the ducks and then we arrived to Jardim do Torel. It's calm there, beautiful and not so touristic. We sat on the benches and we start chattering about life, past relations, beliefs, interests, hobbies.
You are addicted to sports and you did volunteer work on the Peruvian Rain Forest caring for baby monkeys. You came to Portugal for surfing, after learning how to do it in Peru. You do yoga and play the piano, are vegetarian and interested in meditation. You are mystical but you don't over do it, you are very down to earth. You express yourself with a subtle German accent and rationality.
You are so interesting and so beautiful with your brown hair, blue eyes and astounding body. It could have been intimidating but I played it cool. I was funny and kind. I tried to seem smart and wise. We stayed there for over an hour when I suggested we should take a walk. You gave up your imminent plans to stay with me but you had the pub crawl later. You don't drink but you wanted to see how it was.
We went down the street to the Avenue and I showed you Praça da Alegria. You hugged a tree that you said it looked like it had a belly. I invited you to go to the Vegan Buffet and cajoled you into giving up your plans, I would make you your own personalized pub crawl. You loved the Vegan Buffet idea. We walked up to Marquês, I kept making jokes and talking about my opinions about life and how things should be. I spoke too much. You said you are more of an introvert but you always had an answer to give me. You are open but reserved, you don't give yourself easily. You told me you don't feel comfortable spending much time with men because they always expect something from you. I rambled about my ideas about the battles of the sexes. It's all a dance, after all. In the park, we walked to the Cold Greenhouse and we sat in a stone bench facing the lake. I talked about my passion for Boom Festival and how I believe it made me a better person. I insisted you should come. We stayed there for some time, then walked up hill to see the view of Lisbon and sat under the Portuguese flag while some nearby people were doing exercise. It was almost sunset and it was getting cold. We went up and around the lake. We took some pictures of the water lilies and a turtle warming itself on top of an underwater lamp. We came to my house to get my jacket and then to your hostel to get yours. We were starving so we stopped for a vegetarian samosa on the way. We started to feel more comfortable with each other's presence and I hugged you smoothly after a joke. We walked down the Avenue and up the hill to Largo do Carmo. You complained of walking so much, I kept you motivated with my humor and promises of a good time.
We arrived to the restaurant. I ordered a beetroot, apple and ginger juice. You never tried it before and you were suspicious but decided to give it a try. We served ourselves with a lot of food. You loved the juice and the food. You opened all your heart at this moment. It was the first time I saw you smile like you were really, really happy. We shared a delightful dinner.
You paid your own meal, I told you I make the best Sangria and convinced you into trying some. We sat on a lovely tapas bar terrace, close to the street heater and under some blankets. You looked beautiful on this dark environment lit by the flickering light of the fireplace-like heater. We ordered two glasses. It was damn expensive and it was too sweet, my Sangria would be better, I complained while bragging. I squeezed the lemon and it tasted better. You did the same. At this moment we felt free to open to each other. You told me about your meditation practices and how you freaked out after an outer body experienced. I told you about my psychedelic experiences and how I was too stubborn for group practices, even if I had my own spirituality. You told me how your ex-boyfriend made you feel fat and that's why you were addicted to the gym. I told you how my ex-girlfriend broke my heart again and again. The waiters wanted to close the bar but we would've stayed there all night. We went to Bairro Alto and you felt like listening to Live Music.
I took you to a place I thought it would be Brazilian music but it was Spanish. We stayed there a while but it was over crowded and not so great. We went to another bar and it was perfect. Brazilian live music, full of rhythm. You had already broken your no alcohol rule and I told you I didn't want to be drunk alone, as I would get too flirty. We decided to share a Caipirinha. Then another one. We danced for a long time. All the guys kept talking to you, I pretended I didn't care. Eventually the music stopped, the bar was closing. We walked down hill, I said I would show you the Pink Street. We passed by but we kept walking and sat in front of the river. You told me a lot about Peru, about the baby monkey you adopted and how you could recognize him among other monkeys. How huge the spiders, the snakes and the ants were. How everybody got sick on the Amazon and how worthy it was. The fish were jumping on the river and the moon shined brightly which allowed us to see them while we heard the splashes.
We walked to Praça do Comercio and up Rua Augusta. You were hungry so I suggested Mcdonnald's and you said you hated the corporation. I said the McVeggie is not so bad and you trusted me. We sat close to the fountain in Rossio while we ate.
I said I really felt like kissing you. I said I didn't want to be like all the other guys you meet. I felt awkward and stood up. You followed me and put your arm around mine. We walked up the Coliseum Street. I told you how much I liked talking to you, how beautiful you are, how good I felt with you. You reciprocated and we kissed. You are an amazing kisser. It was Five in the morning.
