São Martinho day at Alfama with "foot water" and chestnuts.

this year the November 11th brought me new perspective, as till now I used to know it as the Latvian Lacplesis day, that marks a turning point in our history, with the newly formed national army, and help of civilian volunteers, we won a decisive victory in 1919 over enemy troops driving them from Riga, and developing our way to independence. Today while of my Portuguese days, I learnt about their old´n´old traditions of São Martinho day, which asides all other legends of the St. Martin, know as the day with celebration of the harvest, more over Dia de São Martinho has become a day to celebrate the maturation of the year’s wine production.

If at first i though, of, well let the day be and go, then with no expectations it turned out to be a cool day, not only because of the chilly weather here, but more over because of the nice celebrations happening all over the city. As the 10th of November night we spent in Cascais for celebrating the birthday of an youth organization, then the São Martinho morning for us started late. Still being lazy, first I had the idea of just staying in and making some tea or soup, to warm up and to have the calm day, then from the other hand, as previously read of the São Martinho day and its happenings, some curiosity was there, so we dressed up, took the train and left for Lisbon center, to at least eat some chestnuts. With sun almost going down, we found ourselves enjoying the afternoon walk, in our very well known streets of Lisbon, going to catch some sun at Alfama and so. While not being able to make the mind where to finally get our chestnuts, at some point we ended up in Alfama neighborhood  where a local celebration of São Martinho was taking place or as they like to call, then Magusto was happening. And just like that we were invited to taste some Aguá-pé and have some fresh made castanhas. The amazing friendliness and openness of portuguese people, the warm welcome, i think i will be always amazed of this for me not common culture.

To tell more of what is Aguá-pé, then by the direct translation it means the feet water. With some research, it indeed is a feet water, as the drink is made from leftover juice while making wine and mixed with water. And as you know, the most traditional wine making process is to step the grapes. So yeah, we got to try the foot water, and it was perfect fitting with the taste of castanhas.

Thank you Alfama for showing the other meaning of November 11th.

Até já!
S.