A 15 hour overnight bus ride and some sleeping pills and we were in Lisboa, Portugal. On this great adventure the "she-wolf pack", Emily L, Quinn, Kelsey, Ann, Kristina, Nikole and I met with our guy friends from the USAC program, Zach, Matt and Todd. With all the us, the trip was definitely a formula for a great time and I have to say, this has been one on my favorite places.
Our hostel, The Lisbon Lounge definitely spoiled us. It was cheap, very clean, free breakfast that was good and filling and the staff was very helpful. Also, it was close to the metro and the Plaza of Commerce.
The people and culture are welcoming and very hospitable. I found Lisboa to be full of life and with a lot of culture. I got the impression that latin music is popular here and I even met some Portuguese guys that knew how to dance salsa, merengue and cumbia... FINALLY! I was out dancing until my feet hurt and Zach and Matt had to drag me back to the hostel since the girls had left earlier.
I stole this photo from either Anna or Quinn...
May I add, great picture to steal!
As you can see Lisboa has a San Francisco look to it, the old architecture, narrow streets that are steep and there is even a little, mini golden gate bridge. A great thing about Lisbao is that everything is very close, walking was our main transportation, but also the Tram and the Metro where helpful.
Praça do Cemercio (Square of Commerce): This area is in front of the ocean and was where the palace was situated decades ago, before it was destroyed my an earthquake. Also, in this square there are a few FREE museum the explain Lisboa's History. (Stole this pic from Anna or Quinn... Again.)
Monastery of Jeronímos: Which is the symbol of power and wealth for Portugal during the age of discovery.
Belem Tower: Built in 1514 to protect Lisboa's entrance of the port. For many sailors, this tower was the last memory of their land before they went of into the sea to find more (land).
It is typical to see houses covered in tile on the outside. And I love it because it makes this place even more colorful than it already is.
With all this variety of tile, Emily and Kristina were in candy land, choosing which tile they wanted for their bathroom in their future house. Gotta love 'em!
Here we are at the local market, where this man, his cute dog and his bike sang to us. Not sure what language he was singing in but it wasn't in Portuguese or the other two language I know. Either way it sounded pretty, yet he seemed to be singing about something sad.
Some authentic tile sold at the market. (yes, Kristina and Emily were all over this.)
"La vida no es para ser vista, es para ser vivida"
"Life is not to be seen, it is to be lived."
Writing in Portuguese, very similar to Spanish.
However, I learned the hard way that some Portuguese people
don't like when you say that Portuguese and Spanish are alike.
Me asking for directions for the 100th time.
Note: All the people we asked just sent us in circles. Better off following the map.
I loved the night life in Portugal, very "poppin'". The second night we went out it POURED on us. Here is the aftermath:
Emily and Todd dancing in the rain...
Emily: An unexpected firecracker on the 4th of July that you can't help but love.
Todd: The hot pepper in the meal, you never know how it's going to hit you, but you always ask for more.
AWESOME AMIGOS... Miss you guys.
...And Kristina and Emily freezing in the rain.
hehe
We also went to Rossio Square and up to the Castle of Saint Jorge and took a walk down the medieval maze of streets called Alfama.
Moral of the story: GREAT TRAVELING CREW.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario