The Happy Wanderers

Extreme Segway!

Posted on May 26, 2015 · 2 Comments

Never having been on a Segway before, Jeff signed us up for this life-and-limbs-beware adventure through Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon. (“You signed us up for…WHAT??!??”)

Our first time out on one of these things, and we’re bombing over cobblestones, avoiding cars in streets that aren’t even wide enough for cars yet cars squish down anyway (how do they do that?), jumping up curbs, trying to stay out of tram tracks, bouncing through potholes…all while trying to keep up with the group without crashing into the suddenly-terrified or suddenly-distracted or suddenly-de-Segwayed person in front of us…while simultaneously looking at the scenery! ha ha! Crazy…

Taking pictures while riding was kinda hairy, but I managed to sneak off a couple of them anyway.

Here are a few of my snaps, taken at great peril to my physical well-being. And, actually, it really was a LOT of fun! (But don’t tell Jeff I said that…)

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I’m Awake!

Posted on May 26, 2015 · Leave a Comment

OK, I’m Awake Now…

So, um… when you are sharing a hotel room with a sleeping beauty (that would be EA), and you wake up at an ungodly hour in the still-dark morning and can’t get back to sleep (that would be Jeff), maybe wait until it’s kind of time to get up before trying to make coffee with the Nespresso machine that is located a few feet away from said sleeping beauty’s head…

It’s remarkable how much like a jackhammer a Nespresso can sound…

Scenes from a Lisbon Grocery Store

Posted on May 25, 2015 · Leave a Comment

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Tuk Tuk Ride Through Old Lisbon

Posted on May 24, 2015 · 1 Comment

This was so much fun! A little hairy at times, but fun.

First Impressions of Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on May 23, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Well, we’re struggling to overcome rather intense jet lag, despite our best efforts to mitigate it along the way, but we’ve still had a chance to start forming first impressions of Lisbon, Portugal, from the environs around our hotel. (Confession: we were so wiped, even after trying really hard to do “all the right things,” we power-slept until 1:30 this afternoon…ugh!)

Everyone we’ve met thus far has been nothing short of hospitable, friendly, and even — sometimes — intrigued at meeting someone from as far away as the Pacific coast of Canada. Everyone, that is, except for the furniture sales guy in the mall, who claimed to have family “somewhere” in Vancouver…lol! (He had nice furniture on display, to be sure, but gave us a good laugh with his non-stop, classic sales lines!)

Some of the little things we’ve noticed:

many people speak English
some people speak English extremely well
everyone we’ve met has been very respectful and eager to please
they are very proud of their city and are pleased to have a chance to talk about it
the fish and seafood is amazing
their wine is really nice, too
food presentation is an art form, not just a practical way to get slop on on a plate
their coffee is not only delicious, but also is cheaper than water
they serve wine like we serve water
a really good bottle of wine is about 6 Euros, or $7-8
groceries are an amazing (low) price compared to home
so many of the shops in the mall are just like the shops at home (which is almost disappointing…but not quite…): Timberland, Columbia, Guess, Godiva…
some of the shops are a knock-off brand name “adapted” from familiar ones, such as Women’s Secret (that one made me chuckle)
they don’t use concrete; they use a type of tile on the sidewalks everywhere
the women dress well, and somehow navigate incredibly bumpy sidewalks in the highest heels you’ve ever seen — without breaking both their ankles, knees and hips all in one fell swoop (as I would do, for sure)
traffic is crazy, and feels just like home…
the wind really whistles through here, more like it did in Chicago than it does in Vancouver
the wind is warm in the afternoon, but a lot like Victoria’s chilly ocean breeze in the evenings and early mornings (bring a sweater!)
jazz music is everywhere… in the hallway of the hotel, in the coffee shop, in the mall, outside stores… everywhere!

Filed Under: Portugal, Story · Tagged: Lisbon