Boas Festas from Portugal!
December 19, 2009 – Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal is growing on me. When I arrived (sick as a dog, mind you), I wasn’t loving it. It looked liked a city caught in the past – not 1570, but 1970 – ewwwww. But break away from the dreary “modern” center and you’re smacked with good ‘ole European charm.
No doubt the best part of Portugal is the public art. It’s everywhere! In the subways, on the sidewalks, on the fronts of buildings. Truly spectacular! It’s funny, the first time I saw the iconic black and white wave pattern covering the sidewalks was in Brazil’s Copacabana. Which, of course, makes sense. All the grand avenues and squares in Lisbon and Porto are covered in these geometric designs and floral patterns. It’s absolutely distinctive and a tad treacherous to walk on.
Each subway station features a different type of art painted on the subway tile. These are just a few of my favorites:
And then, of course, you’ve got your standard castles and palaces and foundations standing in squares…all extremely beautiful.
Another highlight is the cherry brandy. Mom and I went back 2 days in a row to get a sip of the sweet stuff (with tart cherries as your reward for finishing your glass). A small plastic shot glass is less than 1 Euro.
You drink it while standing on the sidewalk with all the other cherry sherry lovers. Yum!
Tonight we’re off to a fado concert. Fado means “fate” in Portuguese. This traditional Portuguese music features sentimental songs accompanied by guitar. I think it’s a bit like Brazil’s bossa nova (which, again, would make sense).
Hopefully they’ll serve cherry sherry!
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 and is filed under Europe.
I also loved Portugal and the beautiful artwork everywhere. I love the wave pattern in the main square and the illusion that it isn’t flat! I also had several servings of the cherry brandy.
Yes – the cherry brandy! Cheers to you Sue!