Damp

After much debate we decided that given the weather we would go and look at some art. The Gulbenkian seemed like a good choice, a good chronological stretch and some interesting stuff. Hmmmm
We got off the metro and the Gulbenkian was discreetly hidden away but we found it thanks to Google maps. When we arrived it was 10e and no student discount. We were a bit miffed at the price, but it had such a good write up in Lonely Planet that we coughed up.
Pah... It just didn't do it for us, no free range wandering, there was a set order. We were looking forward to the Mesopotamian pots we'd been promised. Nope, one panel and that was it. We hit the cafe as consolation, which also felt unsatisfactory in a nebulous fashion. After a restorative tea and scone we tried again but it didn't feel good. We grumped off to the metro and headed for the Mosterio at Belem. A busy tram and the rain was more serious but we arrived just in time for last entry and no queue unlike earlier in the week. It is an impressive space with some informative displays, especially the time line that layered work events, Portuguese history and the monastery history into a single display. Afterwards we emerged into the by now fairly persistent rain and headed to the tram stop. It was rammed. We had to stand all the way back to the centre and mostly there wasn't enough room to fall over, the crush of bodies held you upright even as the tram lurched.
Finally we made it back, a quick sit down and we headed back around the corner to Taberna Baixa for dinner. Very good and Mandy came away with the little thimble that the cherry brandy was served in.Read more