My time here has been spent wandering around town and getting lost. Saturday I walked a fair amount- metro to dinner to apartment to bar to another bar to home. We got somewhat lost on our way to the bar, winding our way through the alleys, and it was quite enjoyable. The streets are narrow with cobblestone and the buildings are covered in beautiful tile work. The colors are yellow and blue and each window has a little balcony, typically with flowers on them. Yesterday my new friend and I walked for hours around town, came across outdoor markets and giant squares, did some people watching, and ate and drank delicious food. Today I´ve been on my own, getting lots through the winding streets. I had no idea how hilly the town was! My legs are going to be sore tomorrow... Lisbon is just so beautiful and calm and laid back. The people are friendly and helpful. The buildings are so colorful and well maintained. Everything is so clean and everyone is so put together. I know that´s normal, but for some reason it´s taking a little time for me to get used to. Portugal seems to be the forgotten sister of Europe, but what a wonderful place!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
A little Mozambique!
While walking through a mini flea market today, out of the corner of my eye I saw material I recognized. When I looked I realized it was capulana fabric, and I have a dress that matches it! I turned around and went to the stall and recognized a few other patterns. I tracked down the owner and she told me a lot of what she had came from Moz! Made me miss my old home a bit for sure.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Goodbye Morocco- Hello Lisbon!
My time in Morocco was not touristy- I was there to spend time with my family and it was amazing. Although I did not travel around the country or really even make it out of Rabat, it was a relazing and very enjoyable few weeks.
My trip from Morocco to Portugal was pretty painless- train ride, plane ride, metro ride. Highlight- I sat next to a Brazilian lady on the plane so I was bale to practice my Portuguese a bit )and try to block out the French) before I landed. Upon arrival in Lisbon and went straight to a Couch Surfing dinner, a monthly thing they do here. Perfect idea! It only took me just over an hour on the metro, after getting off at the wrong spot, dragging my bags up and down stairs, finally finding where I was going and toting my bag down the cobblestone streets. I felt a bit awkward about showiong up to dinner with a backpack and a suitcase but if anybody understands it´s other travelers. Dinner was fun- I was sitting with an English girl, 2 Portuguese, a Lebanese, a Uzbek, and another American. There were at least another two dozen people there from all over but our table was pretty small. After dinner, my new British friend opened her home to me, so I dragged my bag down the cobblestone streets to her place and then she and I plus the other American and a Portuguese guy all went out for drinks. The first bar we had cheap beer and talked about 80s music and the second bar was full of people playing the guitar (I do believe I was the only person in the bar that did not a one point during the evening play an instrument), singalongs, and flaming sausages (they bring you chorizo and a dish full of something on fire and you cook it at the table.) By 330am we called it a night and finally went to bed. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was, how laid back it felt, and what an amazing time I had. I´ve spent the last few weeks with some great people, but this was the first time in a while I was surrounded by people like me- mid/late 20´s, adventurous and experienced travelers, comfortable meeting new people. I look forward to what this town in store for me over the next 2 days.
My trip from Morocco to Portugal was pretty painless- train ride, plane ride, metro ride. Highlight- I sat next to a Brazilian lady on the plane so I was bale to practice my Portuguese a bit )and try to block out the French) before I landed. Upon arrival in Lisbon and went straight to a Couch Surfing dinner, a monthly thing they do here. Perfect idea! It only took me just over an hour on the metro, after getting off at the wrong spot, dragging my bags up and down stairs, finally finding where I was going and toting my bag down the cobblestone streets. I felt a bit awkward about showiong up to dinner with a backpack and a suitcase but if anybody understands it´s other travelers. Dinner was fun- I was sitting with an English girl, 2 Portuguese, a Lebanese, a Uzbek, and another American. There were at least another two dozen people there from all over but our table was pretty small. After dinner, my new British friend opened her home to me, so I dragged my bag down the cobblestone streets to her place and then she and I plus the other American and a Portuguese guy all went out for drinks. The first bar we had cheap beer and talked about 80s music and the second bar was full of people playing the guitar (I do believe I was the only person in the bar that did not a one point during the evening play an instrument), singalongs, and flaming sausages (they bring you chorizo and a dish full of something on fire and you cook it at the table.) By 330am we called it a night and finally went to bed. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was, how laid back it felt, and what an amazing time I had. I´ve spent the last few weeks with some great people, but this was the first time in a while I was surrounded by people like me- mid/late 20´s, adventurous and experienced travelers, comfortable meeting new people. I look forward to what this town in store for me over the next 2 days.
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