FEELING AT HOME IN LISBON

 

The sidewalks and plazas of Lisbon, Portugal are made of tile mosaics. When I think about Lisboa (as it is in Portuguese), I think about the tiles, and I smile. Rossio Plaza, above, is a favorite. Although the surface is flat, once in awhile I have to stop to be certain; what artistry! 

We've been in Lisboa three times, and will probably be there again. Yes, like so many European cities, it is crowded with tourists - people like us. And yet, we know that if we go into certain areas, it is manageable and more laid back, even with all the folks like us. 

On this trip, one of our goals is to take a slow pace, relax, and enjoy being. We've seen a lot of the major tourist sites in Lisboa, and have no desire to see them again. Instead, we can explore, find interesting neighborhoods in which to stroll, stop for a drink and/or a meal, maybe meet some people, and yes, take photos. We are often lucky to find something a bit off the beaten track. 

This time, the "something" was a wonderful archaeological museum under the bank next door to our apartment! I saw something about it, looked online, made a reservation for a free tour, and were in a group of 6 people on the tour. Our guide was Rita, a young anthropologist who works for the foundation that operates the museum. A major bank bought two buildings in the 1980's, and started excavating to build an underground parking garage. They discovered ruins, stopped the work, called in experts, and the result is an incredible site going back twenty five centuries. The bank funds the foundation. We walked around on catwalks under our neighborhood, exploring the remains of various societies and learning about their cultures. I could go on, but instead I'll give you a link to the website. 

We visited the National Museum of Contemporary Art on another day, then took a leisurely stroll in the winding streets of the Alfama neighborhood, discovering wonderful buildings, small cafes, orange trees, beautiful tiled buildings, and small plazas. We ate at a small restaurant, Prado, on our last night, and it was truly one of the best meals we have had anywhere! 

A curated album of photos is on my Flickr site, here. 

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posted by paul