Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Lost in Lisbon

Luckily, getting lost in Lisbon is wonderful.


I arrived yesterday, in a downpour, but the air was warm and the cobbled streets exciting.



After getting lost in the labyrinth of the Alfama district, I found my hostel, where the sun began to shine and the view from the balcony absolutely sweet.




The rest of the evening was spent wandering around the oldest section of Lisbon, the only district intact after the devastating earthquake of 1755, since it is built on solid rock (Anh is probably making all this up).


Today I went on a walking guide with Suzy, and it was just myself, so a private tour for e10! She was a bit of a history geek, and I actually listened for the full 3 hours. Afterwards, she gave me directions on where to buy Portuguese tea, as Portugal is the only country in Europe that actually produces the stuff. So a few packets of loose leaf for Christmas winter. (Note to self: must spend vast amounts of money on an Arabia teapot when in Finland...)

Above: representing waves, castle in the distance, men`s club, charred church innards - reminder of the great fire, art deco ***** stars, hip hop poet yo yo yo (kidding - that`s Chiado)

Then the afternoon in Belem, and was in total awe.



When it was time to get back to the hostel (for a homecooked meal, and then fado at 11pm) (fado, the melancholy soul tunes, Portuguese blues) I got terribly lost once again, and had to be led back, like the blind, by a young punk with neo curls and cherry docs.



I am gunna use the term "fishnipples" to insult drivers of all public transport with from now on. Lisboa said it was ok.



Until next time - adeus!

P.S I shall update with proper names and places some time in near future...but maybe not. Go check Wikipedia people!

Friday, 27 November 2009

Friday is indeed a gem

I'll be seeing the Pompidou in Paris on Monday; a promising treat as the last time I was there it was closed. I would have liked to go to the St Ouen Flea Markets too- but well, what would there be to look forward to for next time? Then onto Lisbon (ceramics, Moorish architecture, seafood), Madrid (leather, dust, bulls, men with thin moustaches) and Barcelona (Gaudi, Dali, Picasso, Miro). The brackets are the first things I think of...

Will be updating blog. Bllooog. Ugly-sounding word, ey? Anyway, hi mum, hi dad.