SUNDAY TILL THURSDAY

WE had a pleasant flight to Lisbon (Lisboa is the local name)and arrived to find our way to the city.Again the subway with free tickets from people leaving Lisbon as their tickets were still valid(Airport and subway entrance are in the main building).AS we ride into town we notice ,as we have seen through Europe that graffiti is universal….some of it amazing,and some you wonder how they physically get to the location.

After some GPS struggle we found our hotel.It had looked amazing on line….but in reality the rooms were old and tired!The main room was elegant from a by gone time. Rick Steeves had warned up about this…room was clean,had its own bathroom and close to the train station for our retreat to another city.

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal ,has one third of the population and is known as the city of seven hills.These hills all HAD palaces and converged on the waterfront.Lisbon was an important port for centuries with goods from all over the world.The River Tagus(Tego) is one of the largest and longest in Europe.there is a large estuary before the Atlantic Ocean.The river is deep enough to accept cruise ship.The current ship had at least 10 levels.It also has two shipping terminals.

Our accommodations were in the middle of the old city and a stones throw from the port.There were several pedestrian only streets leading through the arch to the waterfront and Praca do Comercio.This is one of the largest public squares in Europe.

Some of the next three days we took a bus,tram,funicular and boat ride to get an overview of the city,its history.It has been the best bus tour so far.The tour included the new,the old and the ordinary.The audio included some local information about current activities to see and do…the Zoo,the aquarium,etc.There is also a huge park on the outskirts of the city for camping,trails,and an Amusement park.

The funicular was an experience…crowded and short.Our boat tour was on a sunny afternoon.Most boat tours give you an added vision of the city and the port.Many historic buildings have been converted to museums along the waterfront.

Lisbon has a twin city,a commuter district of Almeda,across the river with a San Francisco like suspension bridge and a subway track beneath the bridge.On the “Dartmouth” side,high on a hill stands a huge Statute with Christ on top with his arms outstretched blessing the city.It dates back to the 1950s and represents Portugal’s religious gratitude for avoiding the horrors of WW2.It is a reflection of the importance of religion. The population is diversified and has a large Arab population.There had historically been discourse,but at present,but they currently live in harmony(sounds good,right)

The tram ride was perhaps the most interesting in that it took us high above the city and wound its way through tiny streets,the contrasts in housing and wealth. it is amazing..the talent of the tram drivers in navigating the corners and the other vehicles.There is often just inches between them.

Making and exporting tiles is a huge industry and they have been used in the city to decorate in many ways ,different colors and patterns.One could see a market for kitchen wall tiles in Canada!.The most unusual is the tiling of the outside walls of houses.

The other large export is Cork…..not just for wine corks,but furniture.The seats on the subways were inlaid with cork for comfort.

The people are kind,pleasant(except at the airport) and not in a hurry.

Now the food in Lisbon has a couple of specialties:custard tarts pasteris de Nata…you CAN buy in packages of six….And seafood.Michael and I went to a fish bar for dinner.We had a dish called Seafood and Fish Cataplana…a fish stew served in a clam shell copper pot.I remembered to late to take a picture….sorry Nick!Michael used bread to soak up all the juices.

Michael had an interesting shopping experience.He needed a new t shirt(one in,one out).He was in the dressing room,left to get a different size and colour.In the mean time,some one else used that stall.When he returned,Michael used the same stall.Inside was a pile of filthy clothes.I had seen that person out,well dressed and no eye contact.The assumption was it was a street person getting clean clothes.He must have his skills honed to remove the alarm tags,as there was a lot of security in the store,and no alarm.

In Lisbon,when I went in a store to shop,there was usually a machine to choose your need and take a number.Then a staff would come to assist you;a drug store and a lingerie store.I am not sure if it was for the sales pitch or security!!

Lisbon is a city that we could return to for a second visit!!So we are packing up once more.

We are off to Cannes and the RED CARPET