Winter Lisbon Adventure

We had a lovely pre-baby trip wandering about Lisbon in late January.  It's definitely a city that rewards poking about in an aimless fashion.  I don't know if I've said it this bluntly, but if you haven't visited Lisbon, you really should.  It has such an interesting blend of new and old (even downright decrepit... but in a charming way).  There is always something to see, hear, and taste, that is worth your time.  It is certainly changing as more and more tourists and expats figure this out, which brings with it your typical downsides, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a worthwile visit.  

Anywho, on this particular day we turned an aimless day into a purposeful evening by first making our way to a really quality little craft beer festival (Patio de Cerveja).  The variety and availability of craft beer has increased exponentially since we arrived less than 2 years ago. 

We finished the night with some fantastic fado.. if it's quality performers you are looking for (and can manage the expensive dinner that goes with it) Clube de Fado is the place.  We were seated immediately next to the performers.  I mean I could feel their breath.  As we were leaving (around midnight... we aren't the party kids we once were), Mariza, one of the most famous Fado performers in the world, was in the lounge... waiting to go on a bit later.  Doh!  Even so: still fantastic.

Rainbow into Sao Jorge Castle.  Per capita rainbows are very high here in Lisbon.

 

Monserrat Palace in Sintra

So... I'm catching up on some big and little trips we've taken in the last few months (it's funny how a little thing like a baby can make such a big splash in your life).  First up: a day trip to Monserrat Palace in Sintra.  This was one of our last pre-baby excursions, as you can see from any shots of Jyl's profile.  This is also one of our last Sintra palaces that we had not yet visited.  I think Quinta de Regaleira is still my favorite of the attractions on the Sintra "mountain," but I think it is definitely worth a trip if you are a fan of any of the following: interesting water elements, intricately decorated palaces, abandoned churches, giant ferns, waterfalls, and/or a diverse landscape with plants collected from around the world.  Enjoy! 

 

 

Getaway to Lisboa

It's easy to forget how much we still don't know about the hip, old city that's in our backyard.  Jyl surprised me with a little overnight getaway in the beginning of December to help us explore. 

She scheduled a haircut at a hip(ster) new men (and dogs)-only barber shop.  The haircut was okay, but the vibe was worth checking out. 

Whoa!  Graffiti that matched what we saw in Florence 2 weeks earlier! 

Wee door. 

Pavilhao Chinez: Full of wacky knick-knacks and paddy-whacks. 

Palaces & Padres

The Barnetts became the next set of parents to make their way across the pond this March.  We had a fantastic time exploring the Palacio da Pena in Sintra before they went on a tour of Portugal.  After they came back we took our first trip on the Lisbon trolley together.

A Big Old Bridge Run in Lisbon

We have been doing what we can to whip ourselves into reasonable shape in 2014, and a 7K run across the beautiful 25 de Abril bridge in Lisbon was a perfect part of our training regiment. Not so coincidentally, the bridge looks a lot like the Golden Gate, and in a sense is the reason that we are in Portugal.  I've been told that the bridge was built in the 1950s by the same team of engineers that had built the Golden Gate; Because this was a project that took a few years, some of the American employees came with their whole families, including children of schooling age.  The school that we now teach at was started in Lisbon those many years ago to accommodate these families.  I love the synchronicity that our lives can take... from SF to Lisbon, to work at the school founded by people that came from our last home... what a small world! 

At least 35,000 people participated!

It was a little crowded at the beginning...

The big guy was watching from the hill. 

Lisbon, to the North