• Camino Day 1 Lisbon.Vila Franca de Xira

    26 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Walked 21.75 miles under sunny skies, 84 degrees with little shade. We collapsed onto beds upon entering our room. Tomorrow is to be 89 deg.

    We left from Lisbon and saw 5 pilgrims from Lisbon who are walking the Camino to Fatima, a much more popular route in southern Portugal. We also passed 2 Slovenians who were biking to Santiago and a Frenchman and a Canadian walking- actually, they passed us. Other than that, it was just the two of us walking through parks, fields, along highways, or over boardwalks.

    We are at Retiro and spoke with Jason from Florida. He is a 40 year old doing his second Camino. He said his flight landed at 8:00AM and he went directly to cathedral to pick up his Camino passport. He obviously walked faster than us, arriving only an hour later.

    This was the second time we went into a restaurant only to be told that the kitchen didn't open until 7:00. That was ok, just gave us some dedicated beer drinking time.

    Things we learned.
    - Stop at the cafes along the way when you see them - we didn't and then they weren't around when we wanted one.
    -. Carry snacks!! (Fortunately, we did!)
    - Carry extra water it fill up at the cafes you stop at. We ran out before we got to our final destination.

    I'm thankful for:
    - the beautiful wildflowers that were in season today.
    - our health. Although we were very tired and very sore, we made it without complications.
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  • Getting ready for the main event!

    25 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way of St James, is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried. (Wikipedia.). This used to be a religious pilgrimage but today people walk for all kinds of reasons including just for the challenge!

    We are packing our packs and will be leaving Wednesday morning. We are 5 hours ahead of the US so when you wake up Wednesday, we will already be well underway. We will carry our personal needs in our backpacks, buy food along the way, and stay as often as we can in albergues (hostels or guest houses). Stay tuned!!! Santiago here we come!
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  • Food and drinks of Lisbon

    25 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Lisbon is known for its seafood, especially its codfish that is cured in salt. They use the cod to make codfish cakes with serra cheese in the center. They are everywhere and good for a little snack. They also make a custard filled pastry called Pastel de Nata. Best dessert! I have eaten one every day!! Beer is a regular as is the cherry ginjas. This is best if poured into a dark chocolate cup. Eat the cup when half filled with the liquor and it tastes like a chocolate covered cherry. But the coffee is small!!Leggi altro

  • Belem

    25 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Belem is just a few miles from downtown Lisbon. The architecture of the abbey is fantastic and, along with the church, is centuries old. The Belem Tower would have been the last thing Portuguese sailors would have seen as they ventured into the Atlantic.Leggi altro

  • 25th of April celebrations

    24 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    The revolution that ended the fascist rule in Portugal took place on April 25, 1974. The celebrations start on April 24. Some number of thousands in the big square here waiting for live music to start at 2200

    We went on a walking tour with a local and he (Marco) expressed concern that the fascist party was gaining strength.

    It was interesting to see the locals reacting (positively) to the patriotic presentation before the concert and to songs that appeared to be patriotic.

    We left before midnight but were able to see the fireworks from our room.
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  • My thoughts on today (Eileen)

    24 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    I will admit that I am always nervous traveling to other countries, but today was reinforced for me how easy it is for Americans to travel abroad, at least to the big cities. Our guided walk today had people from at least 8 different countries. Our tour guide spoke English and everyone understood him. We met two ladies at breakfast at our hostel, one originally from Georgia, the other originally from Senegal, and had a conversation with them. Their English wasn't perfect, but we had conversations. I was humbled thinking about how good I have it. Most of the people we have met know at least 2 languages and some know 3 or 4. I am spoiled!

    Today we got to celebrate the 25 da April with the local Portuguese people with festivals and music. It is their freedom day, the day they became a republic with individual freedoms. They have only had these rights for 49 years. The older generation remembers not having those freedoms and so they are passionate about it. Sometimes I forget how fortunate we are. Fireworks are unifying. The people here oohed and awwwed just like us!
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  • Ferry to Cacilhas and Cristo Rei

    23 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ 🌙 64 °F

    A light snack of snails and beer in old town Cacilhas then a hike up the hill to Cristo Rei.

    Passed over Pink Street in Lisbon on the way to catch the ferry.

  • Exploring Lisbon by foot

    23 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    We started the day with a great breakfast with Elena, Birgit, and Connie. After breakfast, it was back to walking around the town .... up the hills and down to the waterfront. At 15:00, we said our goodbyes as our German friends headed home to Essen.Leggi altro

  • Day 2

    22 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    The first day in a new place for me (Eileen) is always overwhelming. I am tired, don't have my bearings, and am a little anxious. Today we went straight from the airport to meeting up with Elena, a German exchange student we had 12 years ago, (and her mom and her aunt). What a blessing! She had the entire day planned - a train ride to Sintra, a neighboring town with castles, walking along the river area of Lisbon, and food plans. It made my day so much better because I could just walk and take in the culture and since I was so tired, I don't have to make decisions!! Things noticed about Lisbon: white or pink buildings with terracotta roofs; lots of tile, mostly blue; cobblestone roads and sidewalks, some with an intricate mosaic; narrow, hilly roads with restaurants, stores, and hostels; and laundry from balconies!

    Things I am thankful for: meeting old friends, an Uber driver who went out of his way to find us at the airport, people from other countries who speak English!!
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  • Drinks by the waterfront

    22 aprile 2023, Portogallo ⋅ 🌙 63 °F

    After around the Lisbon waterfront area, we stopped for drinks and a bite to eat.

    Finally made it to bed around 23:00. Aside from a short nap on the plane, we had been up since Friday morning so it didn't take long to fall asleep. And, not to mention, that we probably walked close to 10 miles.Leggi altro

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