Lisbon Update

We've been busy since returning from China three weeks ago. Last Monday we began Portuguese language classes , and we're painfully unaccustomed after many decades to being in school (4 hours each day in class plus homework)! One more session next week and then we'll take a break.

The Zadeks, new friends from Half Moon Bay, joined us for an entertaining dinner at Faz Frio recently. We then ventured north by train for lunch with fellow TCC member David Brezic in Parede, a charming oceanside town. And last weekend we greatly enjoyed our dinner with Andre, another TCC member living in Lisbon, and his partner Tony.

We're are increasingly amazed and in awe of Lisbon's spectacular museums. We recently toured Fernando Pessoa's house and learned more about this fascinating, quirky, and brilliant author. (Speaking of authors, the nearby British Cemetery is the final resting place --1754--of Henry Fielding who wrote Tom Jones). While the Coach Museum may sound boring, it was absolutely fascinating. Royal carriages from early 17th century to 1910 have been meticulously restored--highly recommended! And today we visited fado super star Amalia Rodrigues's house/ museum, a shrine to this Maria Callas/Edith Piaf-caliber fado diva. What a life, and touring her 17th century house and memorabila was an overwhelming experience. She died in 1999 but her parrot, Chico, is still very much present and rather noisy at times. Another must-see for visitors.

Too much to see and do here!

June is festival month in Lisbon--in fact June just kicks off festivals which continue all summer, and one should consult pertinent websites to keep up with the festivities (and institutional closures!). For instance, last Thursday was Corpus Christi day (I thought that was a town in Texas), and next Wednesday is Portugal Day, but the big kahuna will be Saint Anthony's Day June 12/13 and apparently the whole city celebrates those days around the clock. It has something to do with sardines.

We're off to Porto the week of June 16th so we'll update this series after that journey.

In the meantime, Happy St Anthony's!Read more