Friday, September 2, 2016

What Time is It?

Woke up all ready for the day,  drank my bica (espresso) and picked up the phone to see if there's anything happening.  It was then that I saw the time. 2:30pm. WHAT????? How could we have missed half the day. This jet lag things is truly weird.

We were starving so headed out for a bite at the Mercado since it was easy. Lunch was pretty much over but we did find a burger stand. They were a little strange tasting. We figured our country probably does the best burgers. We couldn't find anyone there to serve us a beverage so we left and stumbled on a small friendly bar where we found an Estrella Galicia,  so familiar in Spain. We spoke to Manuel who explained the economic crisis in Portugal.  According to him, there is no work.  He is an architect working at a bar.  Paulo who rented us our flat explained that he and his wife have 3 son's in their twenties who all live at home. Our taxi driver today told us that he used to own his own company.  Guess there's something we can consider ourselves lucky for.

The next morning was better.  We got up early since we didn't sleep AT ALL last night.  This time clock thing is hell . Could it please stop?  We bumble around the neighborhood trying to find out where to buy a viavigem Card that allows us to ride the public transportation.  I want to ride the cable cars.  Rick Steve's explains it so easily in the one pound guidebook I am insisting on toting around.  I may end up throwing it in the Tagus (the river).

Finally we hail a taxi and get a lift to the Chiado section of Lisbon, where the basilica is where we get our pilgrims credentials.  We walked there on our training day but didn't have our passports which you need in order to acquire it.

Very crowded with tourists in this section but all the amazing tile walls are in view.  Lunched in Alfama on dover sole and chicken and since we had found our transport cards in the metro station,  hopped on the extremely packed like the local sardines,  trolley  28, with an old woman shoving John hard in the back to get him on and then talking about it with two older gentleman all the way to her stop. John just laughed at her like he knew what she was expressing.

I dedicate this post to my cousin Molly who lost her husband suddenly.  I will try to be present in every moment and be so thankful for our experience together in their honor.








No comments:

Post a Comment