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Published: January 14th 2013
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A great way to start our trip
Shortly after arriving in Lisbon we caught up with our friend, Vanessa – a great way to start our trip back to the US. Sorry we have been so negligent in getting any updates on the blog, but we thought we would have more free time since getting back to the US, needless to say that has not been the case. Our trip back to the US actually started with a couple of days in Lisbon. We wanted to meet up with our friend, Vanessa and as she was returning to Terceira in the Azores for her University break we took the bus up to Lisbon a couple of days before our flight to the US. We had a wonderful time, she showed us around a section we hadn’t seen before (where the World Expo had been held in 1998) and we were able to introduce her to Indian cuisine, she was game for a new experience. It is people like Vanessa and her father that make traveling so rewarding.
While Vanessa was taking a final exam we had some time to explore another area of Lisbon, Alfama, which was not destroyed in the 1755 earthquake as many of the buildings were built into rock cliffs. It was an interesting place made up of numerous narrow alleys, steep staircases and archways that invited you
Street Entertainment
The streets of Lisbon were alive with activity as well as many buskers such as these. We also were given a great big Christmas hug by these cheerful students that were singing Christmas carols throughout the streets. to explore more. It was also fun to see the transformation of Lisbon as it was now decorated for the holidays. We even became part of a living art installation which was in the shape of a pyramid the size of a house that captured your image on camera and projected it on the side of the multistory pyramid screen when you walked nearby (they described it as a Christmas tree). Lisbon is a very easy city to get around in and it’s very tourist friendly. We also were able to do a little bit of Christmas shopping with the help of Vanessa.
The flight to the US via Madrid was uneventful. Fortunately for us when we landed in JFK there wasn’t any snow on the ground and we were able to get our rental car quite quickly and got on the road for upstate NY. It was definitely a long day of traveling and with the 5 hour time difference we experienced a little jet lag, but not too bad.
During the first week home we got to meet the newest additions to the family, Everett and Gabriel (grand nephews), both born in 2012. The following weekend
A Transformation
One way to turn a palm tree into a Christmas tree! we were happy to celebrate the christening of the newest addition to our family born in September, Everett. This also gave us a chance to meet Jessy’s (Ken’s partner) family for the first time.
A few days after that we had our Christmas celebration on the 24
th with Bob’s family and on the 25
th with Janice’s family. To top it off we had another major celebration of the holiday with Janice’s family. We surprised her Mom at the event with her sister’s family showing up as well. They live nearby but unfortunately with everyone’s life being so hectic we hadn’t gotten together in quite a few years. We all promised ourselves that we would not wait as long for the next family gathering. New Years’ was brought in very quietly with wishes to everyone for a great new year!
Since getting back Bob has been having quite a few problems with his neck and shoulder. He was able to see a Dr. fairly quickly and the good news was that it was not arthritis but needed physical therapy. The PT was an immediate success, Bob teasingly told Janice’s sister that if he wasn’t already married he would’ve
Expo '98
Vanessa showed us around the area where the 1998 Expo was held – it is quite impressive with the flags of all the countries that participated at that time. proposed to his therapist on the spot. Luckily Janice didn’t take it personally as she was just happy that the PT was working. Guess the neck and shoulder problem started with the positioning of the arm and neck during the gallbladder surgery and then compounded with the numerous hours trying to sleep on our flight and the drive for 4 hours from NYC. Bob has been doing PT now for 2 weeks and has many exercises that he can easily adapt to doing on the boat. The hardest one will be the one that requires him to use a wall – we don’t have too many of them! He’s now trying to convince the therapist to write a book “Where there is no Physical Therapist” a layman’s guide for when physical therapy is not in reach. He obviously offered himself as a consultant on the project thereby being able to write off some of the boat costs on his taxes!
Being back in the US has been enjoyable, but during the holidays we are finding that we are eating just too well and with the cold weather and the ready availability of cars and lack of sidewalks we’re not
Quite the Architecture
A distinct designed hotel located where the Expo 98 had been held. walking nearly as much as we were in Portugal. We joined a local gym to get some exercise in before we go back to the boat which has been good. It’s surprising how much we miss our temporary home in Portugal. The excellent fresh bread, coffee shops on every corner, the warm sunny weather and people who actually smile when you say hello to them. Americans have got to slow down, no one can simply sit down and drink a coffee. Everything comes in a travel container, you drink your coffee while you’re doing business on your phone as your driving to and from your home. Admittedly the Christmas season is a bit crazy but it’s time for people to take a step back and remember what Christmas is all about. Okay I will put away my soapbox (Bob’s). One thing we really noticed was that there aren’t “take out cups” in Portugal – you need to stop at least for a few minutes to enjoy the coffee – what a great concept.
Hope your holidays have been enjoyable and we wish you all the best for 2013. We know that we still owe you (and our journal to
University Rushes Are the Same Everywhere
We saw this group of University students that were “rushing” complete with tails on and following the instructions given by the upperclassmen. keep it complete) a couple of blog entries so will work on those next. Just wanted to get you up to date on our whereabouts for now. We are now planning a road trip to visit a few other relatives and friends while in the US. This should take us to a few that are as far south as Florida so are looking forward to a few days of warm weather when we do that. When we complete that trip we will continue to brave the cold of the NE US until our return flight on March 14
th to Lagos, Portugal where Tsamaya is safely berthed.
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