Exploring Lisboa

My first day in Lisbon was great. I set aside concerns about my lodging situation and set out to explore the city. I walked and trammed the city for nine hours. I have mastered bom (pronounced bon) dia and obrigada - hello and thank you. I need to learn excuse me as well.

This is an interesting place. If the buildings aren't tiled, the plaster has peeled away in big chunks or the walls are designed with graffiti. The sidewalks are paved with small cobblestones and pity the fool wearing heels. I bought a five-day pass for all public transportation, which I recommend to anyone traveling - find the non-stop all-around pass and then use it to continue to see the city when your dogs are barking.

The best part of the city so far are the trolleys, or trams. Up and down the hills I lurched in the trams, window open, hanging out. Once two girls rode on the back, clinging to the doors. The trams squeak and ring their way through streets just narrow enough to let them pass. They're mostly packed with tourists and I felt bad when a little old Portuguese lady wanted on and there was no room. I rode from one end of the city to another. And again.

At one point we were stopped for a long time, log jammed behind an ambulance. What a way to clear a crowded tram. I divined that a lady had been hit on the head by something falling off the building. The medics used gauze to partition off that part of the sidewalk. I think we sat there for at least 15 minutes. I relished the feeling of not being in a hurry, not being irritated, not worrying about anything. I made a list of things I need to do for work and just when I started to draw the inside of the tram, the ambulance took the victim away and we creaked onward.

Palm trees and tile and tourists, oh my. The views of the river from up high are stunning. I know why I'm here - to be by water. I look forward to discovering more about Lisbon and Portugal. Stay tuned!

Comments

[Rosemary Carstens]

Sounds great! AT the end of 9 hours on the streets, it probably felt OK to get back to your less than perfect lodging. Find a new one! Who needs something that's not right? You can do anything you want to do--not only your juju, but your mojo too, are working! xo Rosemary

[Cynthia]

Thanks Rosemary!