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Published: September 30th 2009
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So I got into Lisboa (aka Lisbon) on Sunday and its wonderful here! I actually ended up getting a ride with Francisco, the guy Im staying with while in Lisbon, so that was great! Saved me some money, and it was strangely nice to be in a car after having traveled by public transit for the last couple of weeks! We went to Fatima on the way, which is one of the most important religious sites in Europe. Although Im not particurlarly religious (as most of you know) it was still so beautiful there and very calm...they have signs everywhere asking you to be quiet so everyone who was there (which wasnt many since it was close to midnight) were sitting silently and praying. The most quiet Ive had since Ive been on this trip for sure!
Francisco is the absolute best host I could ask for! Im sleeping on his pullout couch and hes basically given me free reign of the living room, which has a locking door, so I basically have my own room. He has three roommates who dont really speak any English, so thats been interesting! Yesterday one of them told me he likes U2 (well,
Balcalhau a Bras
This is a very traditional Portuguese dish - cod and onions and potatoes in a casserole kind of thing. Really good actually. Francisco told me that his roommate wanted to tell me that lol) so I suggested that we talk in U2 songs. On the other hand, "where the streets have no name is the sweetest thing on sunday bloody sunday because I still havent found what Im looking for" might not be the most productive conversation...
Anyway, Ive been mostly on my own in Lisbon since Im not at a hostel with other youngsters and Francisco works during the day, but its still been pretty great! Youll notice, though, that there arent many pictures of me yet, but tomorrow night were going out for fado (basically the Portuguese equivalent to sappy country music) so Ill actually have other people around to take pictures of me without it being other tourists who only know Im asking them to take a pic of me because Im handing them my camera.
Yesterday I wandered around Lisbon on my own. First I went to the Rossio area and had bacalhau a bras (cod baked with onions and such - tastes better than it sounds!) and went to the Castela do Sao Jorge (Castle of Saint George) which is close to the Alfama district
of Lisbon. It was pretty damn cool! I took some pictures from up there and you can see the river on one side and the entire city of Lisbon in a panaramic view. Then I walked down to the water front and took a bus to Belem (Bethlehem in English) which supposedly has the best pasteis da nata (custard tarts) in all of Portugal. And yes, they actually were amazingly delicious! I sat in the park across the street after that and chilled after walking around for like three hours. Then I went home and Francisco and I had dinner and chatted for a couple of hours, and then I watched ER with Portuguese subtitles! Ooooooo!
Today I had the most amazing day. I went to Sintra, which is this small town a half hour train ride from Lisbon. The town looks like its from a fairy tale or something...like most of Portugal its really hilly, but the houses are really pretty and different pastel colours, and theres this valley with all these amazing old buildings in it and its just so picturesque (you can see for yourself!). When the train pulls into town theres this one huge hill
that dominates the place and theres a sillhouette of a castle at the very top. I knew immediately that I had to go up there! I started walking, but I didnt realize quite how far it was and after 20 minutes of uphill walking I was done! So I caught a bus to the top and immediately realized just how thankful I was that I decided not to walk. It would have been at least an hour of pure uphill climbing. So anyway, I got the top and before the castle I went to the Palacia do Pena (sp?) which was incredible! It was built sometime in the 18th century and is just amazing. From the lookout towers you can see the entire country side! Then I went to the Castela dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) which was built by the Muslims in like 1125 or something crazy like that. I walked all the way up to the very top which took forever but it was sooo worth it! The view from up there was breathtaking. It was scarier coming down I think lol. Then I went back into town and had traditional pork ribs Portuguese-style for dinner and took the
train back into town. I was planning on going to Cascais, this little beach town close to Lisbon, but I was too late since I slept in today. So that will have to wait until tomorrow! The weather has been amazing...today was the only day that it rained a little bit, but it was still like 25 degrees and sunny most of the day so I cant complain.
Cant wait to check out the Algarve! Hope that everyone is doing awesome back in Canada, and will keep in touch xoxoxo. P.S. It would be awesome to hear what some of you guys are doing, so send me some messages or something! Missssss uuuuuuuuuuuu all!
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Anna Inglis
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Wheres the photos ?
Hi there ! I read all your entries starting first in AMDAM . Love the huge cock hahaha ! You hanging off it was funny. Then I went to Edinburgh which is my home and I wanted to cry. Its so beautiful out there. Its funny everywhere you showed pics i've been. So you and i have stood in the same place but I was much younger. I remember visiting there when i was 11. Porto sounds cool ! Thanks for sharing all your stories and photos its nice to be able to along with you even if its from here in my mind. So London is showing its fall leaves now and is getting much colder everyday. However crisp smell's and the freshness is awesome. So I told you my boyfriend bought me a laptop its a Sony VAIO. Its awesome. When he is at home in Barrie we talk on Skype. We get along really well and I'm really in love with him. I think you would like him. check out my photos on facebook there are pics of Mark and I sitting together. I'm so happy you get to go on this beautiful adventure. Where else are you planning to go. Is this all planned out or are you just winging it all the way ? I'm looking forward to seeing the beach pics when ever they come up. I will keep up with you and let you know whats happening here as well. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, I love you very much. Keeping having a good time, Love your sister, Anna. xoxoxo P.S. Chelsey, Cory and Suhvanna say hello !!!