Blogs from Portugal, Europe - page 237

I took a 10 hour night train to Lisbon with Tom, Thure, Mary Kate, Rachel, Ian and Sarah. Sarah got to sit in first class, while the rest of us sat in coach. Everyone besides me got put right next to each other, which was dumb, but it was ok because I got a window seat and I fell asleep most of the time. I slept on top of my purse so that no one could steal my stuff in the middle of the night while I was sleeping! When we got there, we headed straight to our hostel (Lisbon Easy Hostel). HOwever, the weather didn't want us to get there because it started pouring down rain, one of the biggest downfalls I've ever seen! Our clothes, including our coats and backpacks got SOAKED, and it ... read more

Jason and I finally made it to Lisbon for the first time (after six months in Portugal!) a couple of weekends ago. We took a day trip, as it’s only a two hour train ride from Coimbra, and we hit some of the major highlights. We spent the morning walking through the quaint Alfama neighborhood, which has winding streets and buildings covered in colorful tiles. Near the top of the hill is the old city castle, built originally in the 5th century by the Visigoths and altered by the Moors and the Christians as control over the city switched hands over the centuries. Nowadays the castle is more or less in ruins, and the parts that are not have mostly been restored, but because it is up so high it has a great view over the ... read more

Just a short entry to add some pictures and give the latest batch of questions, with a gardening theme this time. I have moved on from Spain and am now in a lovely town called Beja, in Portugal. However, before reaching here, I had a couple of days in Seville. Its a remarkable city and rates within my top 5 cities visited so far (not quite sure where exactly). Lots of grand buildings, a huge cathedral and river. Not to mention the bars!! Anyway, to the questions: 1, (see Granada Picture) The is a garden in the Alhambra called the Generalife. In the Koran, paradise is described as " shaded, leafy garden, refreshed by running water where the fortunate ones may take their rest under tall canopies". This describes the Generalife quite well. However, what is ... read more

Earlier this week there was a pretty cool sunset with some interesting clouds. I took a few photos down by the park and the pedestrian bridge. - Jason ... read more

Today's location is Lisbon, and driving in from the airport only renewed my determination to stay holed up in my hotel room! Am staying at the Tivoli Lisboa (apparently, there are two Hotel Tivoli's here, so the distinction is important). The hotel is good, reminds me of Germany but with scarier elevators and no assistance with the bags. I decided I love the mirrored closest and that the tub is great because it's long enough to accommodate my legs. And the Molton Brown bath gel is unbelievably relaxing - although I'm not in too much need of relaxing since I had a whole row to myself on the flight over. Turned out I was having dinner with one of our lawyers. We drove into the Old Town, with steep narrow roads and too many parked cars. ... read more