Post: #1

Hi, so Im planing on going to Spain and Portugal in August (and maybe a week of july, totaling some 5 weeks). In that regards I have a couple of questions, but first, about me:

I have lived in brazil and argentina, so Im by no means speaking perfect, but Id say im fluent in both, in that I manage to express anything I want to face to face. Im 25 and studying but will still have quite a lot of money for that time to spend. So what Id like to know:

To get the flag(s) should I just go for one country, or are both possible?
What country should be easiest? That is, most impressed by the fact that I speak their language, although with a different accent.

I was planning on staying in hostel, both to have the tourist-option, but also not to lose flexibility. So, is there any motel/telo culture in these countries? How much will logistics damage me?

My plan so far is to fly into Madrid and stay there until Im successful. Then head to Salamanca or directly to Porto, and from Porto travel home.

So, how about that route? Is there any other that could be just as good or better?

Post: #2

(04-01-2013 03:42 PM)Erty Nab Wrote:  To get the flag(s) should I just go for one country, or are both possible?
What country should be easiest? That is, most impressed by the fact that I speak their language, although with a different accent.

About Portugal:

Speaking Brazilian Portuguese in Portugal may do more harm than good. Brazilians in Portugal usually have low status (Brazilians outside of Brazil either come from the top or the bottom of society, and it's easy to tell them apart), and people do not like being addressed in the accent of those "below" them. Hence, in Portugal, when talking to young people, talk to them in English. If their English sucks, switch to Brazilian Portuguese. When talking to older people, address them in Brazilian Portuguese. Use Spanish only as a last resort.

Be warned: Porto will be a ghost town in August. Perhaps not as much as a few years ago, since the economic crisis prevents lots of people from traveling abroad or going to the Algarve. Still, you probably won't see lots of young local people. In August, you will probably see more tourist chicks in Porto than local ones. If you want to meet girls, just go to the riverside area, known as "Ribeira", start conversations with girls traveling alone or groups of girls, and cross the bridge to Gaia to tour the Porto wine cellars with them.

Post: #3

Thanks for the tips! Regarding August being a ghost town, is it because it is hollyday for Portuguese people? And where in Portugal would there actually be local people?