Traveling………………
There is nothing quite like a good trip to somewhere unknown. An adventure that truly invigorates the mind and senses, and opens you up to different cultures and perspectives on living. Right after Christmas I embarked on such a trip, and it proved to be as surprising and enjoyable as such trips can be.
I left New York just after Christmas for Portugal, first spending two days in the world heritage city of Porto. I arrived at 5 in the morning after a (relatively) quick crossing of six hours. The problem was that when I got to my hotel at around 6am, my room wasn’t ready. So I spent the next few hours hanging out in the hotel/and or exploring the immediate environs. A short walk from my hotel was the historic train station, with its amazing frescoes. A little bit further from there was the waterfront, which was reached by descending some unbelievably steep and winding stairs through lots of old and charming houses.
I was lucky in that I had brought some hiking boots, which are indispensable for the steep hills found in both Porto and Lisboa(Lisbon). The first night was spent exploring the nearby clubs and restaurants. A beautiful wine bar on a corner with outdoor tables held the first surprise about Portugal: a glass of white wine was 2.4 euros(about $3.00 American). This seemed almost free for me, since I have unfortunately become accustomed to paying $15 for a glass of similar wine in New York.
After two days exploring Porto, it was off to Lisbon for six days including New Year’s. Lisbon is much bigger than Porto, and took a few days to become familiar with its many quarters. Surprisingly, Lisbon felt a lot like San Francisco, because it is hilly, has cable cars/trams, and has fog overlooking its bridges in the morning. Once I became familiar with its different sections, I could really enjoy it. I became friendly with the owner of a taps bar(tosca in Portuguese), a very friendly guy who had lived in New York. The people I met there formed the nucleus for a truly great time, since we met there each night to begin our exploration of Lisbon night life. The music and people were superb: a “funk” concert by a local group singing all American songs was amazing, and I challenge anyone to guess that this band singing was not American. But they were Portuguese! And the price of admission for this concert at The Music Box in Lisbon : six Euros including a drink!
My final night in Lisbon proved to be the best, with my last drinks(at 5am) at a lounge spinning the greatest American music to a packed audience dancing and singing and just having a great time. I am pleased to report that European “joie de vivre” is alive and very well in Lisbon.
