10 rules for surviving Latadas.

In Coimbra there is a huge week long party every year to welcome the freshers. This is always during the last week of October and is loads of fun. However for those who don't know about Latadas and partying in Coimbra in general here are some quick rules:

My housemate being 'baptised'.

The Kaiser Chiefs at Praça da Cancão.

The individual bars from each discipline.

1. Sleep in the day, stay up all night. Become some sort of vampire. You're allowed since it's near Halloween. Standard.
2. If you see people having a bath in a fountain don't worry, the asylum is secure. This is a student tradition during Latadas where the freshers are 'baptised' into the University.
3. The night before the start of Latadas is called Seranata, where students sing fado into the night. Do not clap - It's frowned upon. Favour whopping and whistling like a creepy guy. If you are already a creepy guy, you've had plenty of practice.
4. It's cheap. Just be ready for that fact so you don't have a heart attack when you see '6 beers for 5€' or a full set of Kaiser Chiefs for 12€.
5. Being organised isn't necessary and you can buy your tickets on the night at any moment. Bring student ID for discounts, however non-students can also attend. For 'invaders' ;) The price of the Kaiser Chiefs will set you back a massive 18€.
6. People go out wearing their Harry Potter uniforms. Even during the weekends which I found strange. You can buy one, but since it's expensive and the shoes bite I opted out. Might get a cape though. They're cool and super-heroey and swishy. Yep I want a cape.
7. Jeans T-Shirts and trainers will get you everywhere. No need to barter with a tramp for his pissy leather blacks to get into clubs (Inbetweeners ref.), so chill and wear what makes you feel good.
8. Try Portuguese party food. Instead of a hotdog try the fresh oven-baked bread with chorizo inside and cast aside your McFlurry for a foot long doughnut covered in sugar called a fartura. You're in Portugal so make the most of it.
9. Partying goes on right around the clock. You will need the stamina of an ox to do a full week, though I'm told that alcohol helps. I just can't imagine going home from a pub at 11 when that's the time you finish dinner here.
10. Learn this rhyme or you will have to do a PENALTY!
    Um limão, meia limão.
    Dois limões, meia limão.
    Dois limões, meia limão.
    Três limões, meia limão.
    Etc.