Settling in: Week 2

This last week has become a blur of activity: setting up bank accounts, searching for household staples, signing up at the gym, and discovering Lisbon on foot (and on Uber, which is remarkably cheap and efficient here).

But, daily drudgery aside, we are also taking the time to enjoy this new world, realizing we have barely scratched the surface as we try to absorb Portugal's incredibly complex and fascinating history and culture.

Quick notes: restaurants here are absolutely amazing. There's a highly rated Angolan restaurant across the street, an incredible Georgian restaurant (not as in Atlanta, Georgia!), and Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Indian restaurants within 2 blocks. Last night we went to the Time Out Market down by the water, a football field sized building representing 26 Lisbon restaurants. Quite an experience even if the crowded conditions could provoke a panic attack!

Sunday we visited the Belem neighborhood to tour the many sites there, including the Tower of Belem, the Discoveries monument, and the exquisite 16th century Jeronimos Monastery. Vasco da Gama, and Camoes (Portugal's equivalent to Shakespeare) are entombed in the church here, while Fernando Pessoa ( Portugal's Proust) has a niche in the Monastery.

So much to see and do!Read more