European Adventure Part X: Day Three
I’m happy to say that I was able to get up early enough to catch the sunrise this morning. I actually had a terrible time sleeping, and just like European Adventure Part I, I managed to have enough energy to want to get out of bed and get the day moving. I promised myself that I take a nap later.
<SUNRISE PHOTO>
SUN RISE
The city was so peaceful and quiet when I hiked up the hill in Alfama. This is a neighborhood that wasn’t as affected by the terrible earthquake that happened here in 1750. It still has a big Medieval feel to it. Apparently, it’s super easy to get lost in, and many advise wandering around the streets. I didn’t have time for that, so I just followed the map to the viewpoint. And what a sight it was. There were only a handful of people there, and there were big puffy clouds over the river. It was so peaceful to sit there and just be still in the moment…
I took my time with it and got some breakfast very close to the viewpoint at Audrey’s. (Like my Grandmother!) It was a cute little sidewalk cafe. The waitress welcomed me to Lisbon and told me that I need to go to Cape Verde as well. I’ve officially added it to the list!
WAITING FOR A BUS/A CHANGE IN PLANS
Next, I was planning to head to Belem where there’s a famous tower and a monument to the Portuguese Age of Discovery (read: terrible Portugese imperialism). There’s also a monastery there that’s beautiful. I was looking forward to wandering along the river and exploring these places. Well, none of that happened. I was going to take the bus to Belem, and made it to the bus stop in time to…wait, and wait, and wait. The bus never came. I found another way to get there, but then saw that the end point of that train was Cascais.
Located about 45 minutes away from Lisbon, Cascais is a cute seaside town. I decided to skip everything I’d planned and spend the morning in Cascais instead. Not sleeping very much the night before and getting up at dawn this morning had me closing my eyes for a few minutes on the train. It was just the power up I needed to wander around Cascais. It was such a pretty town! A fully different vibe than Lisbon. Like going to Annapolis from DC. I wandered around the town and then to this cliff face called Boca do Inferno, or Mouth of Hell. It was memorizing. I probably took way too many pictures of it. It was also so nice to sit by the sea!
That was the furthest point I was going to walk, so I made my way back to the train station. I stopped for some water and samosas from this little cafe next to the train station.
BACK IN LISBON
I wanted to stop by the Time Out Market, a food market, on my way back to the flat for naptime. I walked into the food stall side and it was pretty dead (I didn’t realize yet that it was about to close), then I walked over to the restaurant stall side and holy moly. It felt like ALL OF LISBON was in that place. Just humanity everywhere. That did not stop me from getting some delicious chicken wings at Korean place, and a vanilla glazed donut.
Fatigue was hitting me, and I was having trouble deciding how to get back across town. It was only a 17 minute walk, but I was worn out, and it was hot. I could have taken the Metro, but I’d have to do another walk on the other side of it, or I could take a bus that would take nearly all around the city before stopping near my flat. While I was debating, another option showed up that took my two blocks from my flat. Thank God. Sleepiness was making my brain move slowly.
YUM and ZZZs
I ate my super healthy lunch of chicken wings and a donut when I returned to the flat. I’m having trouble find vegetables here. I just want a green leaf salad with topped with a protein. That’s not so much of a thing…tuna salad, chickpea salad, sure. But just like grilled vegetables alone? No. After my healthy lunch, I decided I’d search for a good option for dinner.
I passed out on my couch in the living room in a delicious nap. The sun was coming in through the windows, and I could faintly hear the sounds from the street. A fan was going…perfect nap conditions.
When I woke up, I took what was only an 8 minute walk to Honest Greens for the veggies I promised myself. While the walk really was only about 8 minutes, I had to go up these super steep steps and a hill. My thighs were burning. Good, hopefully I was burning off some of that donut. Honest Greens was so freaking cute! I was my dream spot for enjoying an afternoon of journaling, reading, and writing. I did none of those things, however, because by now it was approaching 7:30pm and I was eager to be in my PJs.
After enjoying my tasty green salad with grilled salmon, I finished off the evening writing and watching Formula 1, so happy that I allowed the day to take shape in a different way than I had planned.
UP NEXT: Sintra! I’m headed out of Lisbon again. This time I’m going to a land of palaces in Sintra. I will also be going to the spa. Last day in Portugal!