We started our journey on February 4th. It was freezing cold and we had a lot of snow in Germany.

So we made our way quite quick through France. The nights were cold but the days are getiing er warmer the more south we get.
Arriving in Spain the storms were still strong and we damaged the awnign of our van.

We went down the south coast all the way to Gibraltar.
Before Arriving in Gibraltar I played the first busking set in the caost town Rincón de la Victoria.
Perfect conditions. The sun is out it is warm and I can play on the beach promanade.

Earnings are staying low, only 6,10€, but a couple from england enjoyed my set and scaned the QR code to follow me on Instagram.
You should do as well to follow the full journey.
Also if you want to contribute there is a donation button at the top. Highly appreciated!

We went on to Tavira, the city of wind. But it is way to windy to play on the streets.

Next is Cádiz. Time again for busking.

CÁDIZ

I took a break from social media and busking.
It often gets on me to have the pressure of posting, usually when there is not so much happening. During our travelling a lot is happening, maybe to much to find the energy to post.
So I take you back to Cádiz, where we have been already two months ago.
I played a busking set there.

We made our way from the parking lot with the metro to the city that is laid on a peninsula surrounded by the sea. The city is beautiful and we are walking down the promenade. Natascha is helping me carrying the trolly with the amp.
I set up on a main square where a saxophone player just finished his set.
When I have set up the police came by, because of a tourist in the cafe next to me.
I waited and one of them came to me asking for my license.
I don't have one so without playing a single not I pack up again.
I talked to another street musician about the license and he recommended that I play a bit down the street in front of the mercado, even without a license.
I went there still a bit unsure if I should risk it. A couple of other street musicians encourage me to go for it. So I played a 30 minute set without the amp and made about 10,87€.
What really stood out to me, was how helpful and supportive all the other musicians were. Community not competition!

SEVILLA

I haven't played another busking set in Spain. Sevilla was way to crowded and it was Semana Santa (easter week) when we were there. The streets were full of catholic people doing processions.
Nothing for us.

We spent Nataschas birthday in Sevilla 
Had some nice vegan food and went to an stunning contemporary art museum in an old monestry.
We booked a cheap room to stay over night in the city. Our van was parked in a town, one hour bus drive outside Sevilla.
The bus rides were a nightmare, because due to Semana Santa all schedules weren't valid.

When we came back the battery in our van was empty, so the fridge doesn't work anymore.
We found a private place to stay with the van and recharge our battery.
I really need a break

TAVIRA

We've made it to Portugal.
First city is Tavira. The city is so beautiful stretched along the river near the ocean. We are exploring the city and I plan to play the next day by the ferry port, where tourists are waiting for the ferry to Tavira Island.

I know the times of the ferry but I am a little late so when I set up and start to play people are already boarding the ferry. I play a couple more songs, took a break and played another set for the next ferry to arrive.
I have a coffee next to where I was playing. It was free as he liked my music. However Espresso is really cheep here in Portugal. Always around 1€.
I went up the steep hill to the old castle and set up in the courtyard to play one more set.
Tourists are passing through and some are standing an listening. A group of French girls talked to me when I wanted to finish and asked for more so I played them three more songs. I've made 37€ today, quit good.

In the evening we went to a community club where they had amazing jazz musicians playing.

PORTO

We have arrived in Porto on a Thursday June 4th
We are staying at an old little campsite outside the city near the beach as we couldn't find any suitable parking for the night in the town.
So we had to took an uber to get to the city.
We made it quit quick from the Algarve to Porto in less than a week.

We are lacking to go to a concert. And tonight two Hardcore bands from Sweden are playing in Ferrro Bar. The show was amazing and especially the first band "Feels like heaven" stood out to us.
So if you want to see a nice punk or hardcore show in a small diy venue or just have a bear on their rooftop terrace with a nice few over the famous train station, Ferro Bar is the place to go.
We spend a couple more days to explore the city. They have nice old buildings with tile walls and old wooden doors with these beautiful doorknobs. Natascha did a stamp printing of one of them.

Natascha already has been to Porto 8 years ago. Unfortunately she got a bit disappointed as now the city is other taken by tourists. It wasn't back than. I am also annoyed by the amount of people. Guided tourist tours everywhere and a lot of vendors and people trying to make their money with all the people on holiday. 
I already got sick of all the tourist shops selling the same stuff all over Portugal. But here it hits differently.
The only nice little tourist attraction were these lady's with old looking cameras, secretly taking a picture of you that is instantly printed on an paper looking like an old Porto newspaper.
Of course they are asking for a tip but not as intensive as in some other tourist places.

We were strolling down the street Saturday evening and I see a poster of a small filmfestival that is taking place right now. It is focused on east European films about "Home".
I quickly look it up on the internet and found that there is a free screening of some short movies the next afternoon.
So Sunday afternoon we set of one more time to the city and saw some great polish movies and even got a free polish brunch buffet.
We are getting a bit tired of the city and all the tourists so we head back to our campsite with the plan to leave it tomorrow as I have found a parking lot in walking distance to a park in Villa de Gaia, which is the city on the otherside of the river. I want to play a busking set there tomorrow after a long break of busking.
A men at our campsite from Bayreuth (which is near were we come from) recommend the park as he saw a lot of buskers there.

I took a longer break the last time I busked was in Tavira, when we arrived in Portugal.
After discovering some of the Algarve I had a little pain problem, so I went to see a doctor and he said I should not lift heavy stuff and take it easy for some time.
Even though I have this trolly for the amp it still weights a lot and I have the guitar on my back. Also the trolly handle is to short for me, or I am to tall. Anyway, not good for my back either.
But I am feeling good and now it's time again to play on the streets.

PORTO PART 2

We parked our van at the new parking spot, I packed my stuff and we head to the park. The trolly for my amp case is just to small for me and my back and groin are hurting again. Luckely the way is not too long. The premium spot is already taken, so I set up next to the bridge and a tourist photographer. I started playing but people are just walking by. It is very windy and with a gust of wind my guitarcase flew away. My girlfriend catches it. As only one person has flipped a coin in the case I took a break.

I waited until the premium spot is free to play. It is laid on the hill of the park with stone benches, almost like an amphitheater. I set up and start to play. A lot of people at least 100 are sitting there waiting for the sunset listening and enjoying my music. But nobady would stand up to put something in my guitarcase. So by the end of my set Natascha wlaked around with my cap, asking for a tip. Only 7,60€ found their way in the cap, but it was a lot of fun playing.

We listend to the musicians coming next. I brougth back my equipemt and we met with a friend we got to know in Lagos. She is from Berlin but currently living in Porto.

PORTO PART 3

The next day I headed out to get a fresh cut in the best barber shop I have ever been too. It was like timetravelling. Everything looks like in an old shop, the chairs, the furnuter and all the old tools are displayed everywhere.

One day later I went for another busking set in the park during lunch time. Premium spot taken again, so I tried my luck again in a different corner. But no money at all. The guy plaing told me he will finish his set at 1 o'clock. So 10 minutes before I am alreaday setting up so no one can take my chancee to play.
Audience today is small but they like it and at least some money end up in my case. After 30 minutes playing, mid song my amp battery is dead. I finish the song unplugged and then end my set. I was handing out stickers to the audience. One girl is giving me 2€, in total I got 4,85€ and I talked to a young french couple.

Later we drove into the city, as Natascha had to go to a shop. I remebered my friend Joe Astray got a tattoo when we was in Porto so I looked up where it is and it is only a 15 minute walk. It is a national holiday, Dia de Portugal. I am not sure if the studio is open but I go there and it is. I wanted to get a new tattoo before we started our travels but didn't had the time. So now I have and the cover artwork for the new sond "Take A Break" seems to be perfect.
I walked in, an german girl before me. While she is getting her tattoo done we listen to my musicvideos on YouTube.
Now it is my turn, the tattoo turned out amazing and I realy enjoyed talking to Emmanuel, who is orginally from Argentina.

After I am done I met with my girlfriend. She is hanging with our Berlin friend in a rooftop bar.
I have food, a few beers a nice conversation with two americans living in Porto. When we go home, Ayleen tells my she is only living a 5 minute walk from where our van is parked. I asked her if she could take my amp to recharge the batteries. She does and the next morning when picking up the amp we could also have a shower. Ayleen is so good to us and Porto as well.

I am texting Emmanuel if he would be up for a show in his tattoo studio on Saturday and he is in for it.

RUA, PEDORIDO

Unexpected show

We escaped the city from all the tourists and the heat and drove up the river Douro. The grapes for the Portwine are made here and only here.
We jumped into the river to cool down.

In the evening I went to a bar to have food and a beer.
I had a video call with my band back home. During the call, a lot of motorcycles show up and it turns out that every Thursday, they have a biker meet up. I asked the owner if I could play for them and he was up for it. So I got the amp and the guitar, set up and of we go!
I play a cover and one of my songs. I go back and forth like that for at least one and a half hours.
People start requesting songs. When I knew it, I played it and asked for a tip in my guitarcase.
Barstaff is bringing me beers after beers.
One guy is requesting Balck by Pearl Jam. I love that song but haven't played it in a long time. Natascha is helping me, standing next to me with chords and lyrics on the phone.
When I finished playing, I talked to the locals. There are only locals from nearby. I had an amazing time in the beautiful town of Rua, Pedorido by the rivershore.

PORTO PART 4

Tattoo Gig

It was time to set off to Porto again. Natascha helped me carrying the amp. We arrived at the tattoo studio. I set everything up, little soundcheck, cold beers are coming and people as well.
There is a little pre show, DJ Set. When everyone arrived the show started.

I play about 1,5 hour. Some covers in the set as well. They really like it. Singing along and enjoying the music. One guy is playing percussion on some songs, which I really like.

After the show I talked to everyone. People from different countries came together Argentina, Columbia, USA and Portugal.
This one guy from Columbia is a musician too. He plays one of his songs and then we have a little session going on, playing cover songs with everyone singing along.
We left after 2 o'clock, blessed and happy.

Thank you, Emmanuel and Portrait Tattoo for making this happen.