Portugal: A Day on the Docks

I finally meet the fishermen.

I can’t really explain it. Ever since I arrived, the fishermen have called to me.

I was on a tourist boat my very first day in Porto, cruising up the Duoro River. When we passed Afurada, the small fishing village, something sparked. I don’t know what it is. Maybe a remnant from a past life, maybe a calling for this current one.

When I visited the sardine museum, Conservas Pinhais, they kindly gave me directions on how to best photograph these men: Go to the Matosinhos harbor at daybreak.

So one rainy morning, I get up at 5:30am and make my way over. Upon arriving, the security guard kindly says: I’m sorry, but it’s impossible. You need authorization.

I begged. He said no again, kindly.

That day, I reached out to their communications team. Unlike many other things in Portugal, they responded immediately. I could go the next day, at a certain time, within certain parameters.

Here are the photos that resulted.

All’s I can say about the men themselves, like everyone else I’ve met in this country, is how kind they are. This is tough work. Here I show up, in my fresh hoodie with my fancy camera, and they completely opened up. They asked where I was from, they they let me in, they even posed for me.

Fishing is the lifeblood of Portugal. This is a country that’s intrinsically connected with the seas. It’s within the blood, it seems. And to me, the fishermen represent the crowning tip of this connection. So to photograph them felt like a glimpse of the essence of this country and its rich spirit and history.

My eternal gratitude for the experience — but more so, let’s hope this is just a taste for more stories to come.