Cais-do-Sodré té Salamansa is the first short story book published in 1974 by Cape Verdean writer Orlanda Amarílis.
[1] This collection consists of seven short stories in which the day-to-day lives of Cape Verdean emigrants are portrayed.
Tanha begins to tell Andresa stories about her life and expresses her sadness about her father who is ill and always dreams of going to Lisbon.
Andresa also remembers the people and stories from her island as if she was actually in Cape Verde, but the truth is, she has been living in Portugal for 15 years.
[3] A Cape Verdean man is on a train in Portugal and recognizes Nina, a Portuguese woman.
He remembers how they met many years earlier when he moved from Cape Verde and lived with Nina's aunt while he studied Agronomy in Portugal.
While on the train, the Cape Verdean man tries to strike up a friendly conversation with Nina, but she pretends she does not notice him.
[5] This short story depicts the life of a Cape Verdean emigrant who is on a tram car in Portugal on her way to work.
As the title of this short story suggests, it is ‘a disenchantment’ (“um desencanto”) for the Cape Verdean emigrants because they feel isolated while living in a foreign land.
At one point, an elderly woman Mam Zabêl collapses, most likely due to hunger, and hits her head.
[7] This short story describes two men who were recently released from prison in Cape Verde.
Throughout the night, the men drink and tell stories, and after some time, Damata leaves the party, without saying good-bye.
Baltasar is in a familiar house in Cape Verde, and it reminds him of his past and of the people he misses.
Linda was always surrounded by other prostitutes and many men, and this group of people would often have dinners and parties on Salamansa beach.