Lisbon is bustling and energetic. We like it, but it is a noisy place. Lisbon has a vibrant mix of cultures, African, Asian, South American, and points in between, derived from the vast empire Portugal established during the exploration age. And you can see it all, strolling through the neighborhoods, crossing the invisible boundaries that separates these cultures. Yet, they all blend together to make the city work.
The arrival day was typical for us. After the bus and train ride and the usual walk from the station to wherever our next airBnB place is, we are tired. Our new host, Ana Carolina, provided bread, eggs, wine and a few other things and we did not have to go out and get groceries right away. What a sweetie! The walk to the apartment was a little stressful though, as my google maps died and we had no idea where the F**** we were going and texting and calling services weren’t functioning either.
{Aside: so, I got a SIM card in Barcelona when we arrived here and after paying €10 for a month for 200 minutes plus 2GB data (go pound sand TELUS!) and was told that it worked everywhere including Portugal…well, not so much. So, I have a phone here that has no data, no calling, and no texting…kinda useless. We’ve had a lot of issues with the mobile stuff since we’ve been here. But I did find a new PORTUGAL plan for €3.50 for the month for 300 minutes plus data (go pound sand TELUS!). Hopefully this will make things less stressful. We don’t use much data but sometimes, just sometimes…it’s real helpful to get map info, access the internet, and do some texting, especially if we are lost and/or late. Technology!…I find it confusing and a pain at times. I’m pretty sure the LD people will say they’ve known that for a while…right Brian?)
Anyway, day one is usually groceries and some walking around to get our bearings. We normally spend around $50 on day one stocking up on the essentials, breakfast stuff, things for a dinner or two and something to drink. For example, our $50 today was for the usual bread, eggs, oranges, and bananas etc., but also included ½ kilo of prawns, a large ½ kilo of cheese, 6 pack o’ beer, and a botte of port. Ya gotta like that!
The weather is quite warm and it’s nice to finally shed our jackets. We’ve checked out the local neighborhood of Alfama, the old arab quarter, with the usual narrow streets, great restaurants, really old churches, and even older Moorish castles. And on day two we went further afield into the neighborhoods of Mouraria, Graca, Baixa, Chiado, and Bairro Alto. These areas are the old Lisbon (circa 16th, 17th, and 18th century) and are very interesting to poke around in with ancient shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Not all of it is old though. Every once in a while we’ll round a street corner and voila, there’s the McDonalds, Burger King, and a large modern shopping mall. Lots of walking to be done yet; as with any large city, there is quite a bit to see here. Hopefully my google maps is back online so we won’t need a hiking trail map.
