Hi, Native from Lisbon here. If you live in Rua do Passadiço, you will need a "periphrasis of location" (just invented the expression) to explain where you live to a Lisboa inhabitant (who knows the city well enough). So... it would be «Atrás dos Capuchos» or «Entre os Capuchos e a Avenida da Liberdade». Then, as the person would look at you with a confused look, you would be more precise: «Sabes (o Hospital d)os Capuchos?» (puzzled look) «... o Campo dos Mártires da Pátria?» (a bit less puzzled look). «Fica aí, atrás dos Capuchos, a descer para a Av. da Liberdade...» Finally the person would say (geographically defeated): «Ok...». To a foreigner or to a tourist or to someone who doesn't know Lisboa well, try the "periphrasis of location" (just for some fun), explain that it is a secret, quiet place quite near the Avenida da Liberdade, then smile intriguingly and forget about it.
Yep. Keep your "secret place" unrevealed and just smile (like you knew where a treasure is and wouldn't disclose the X). It just proves that Lisbon, even in the "center", has hidden spots, out of sight, quiet, discrete streets, alleys, squares, little gardens... That we (lisboetas) and you (dear residents) need to cherish and keep concealed.
This was such a fun and funny post! Can't wait to see you two on the cover of Vogue someday soon...even if it's only because you inadvertently wandered through the back of a photo shoot...
I have seen people shooting what I assume was a television commercial in Campo Mártires da Pátria. I suppose it could have been a scene from a movie or TV show as well. 🤷🏻♂️ So perhaps a Vogue shoot could happen. 😆
Interesting... but, of course, not limited to Lisboa. I live in the Fulton Heights neighborhood of Medford, Massachusetts, and I still haven't found a reliable map of the informal neighborhood names. The city of Boston, on the other hand, has 21 _official_ designated "neighborhoods," which are actual administrative subdivisions.
You meet somebody new, or you're chatting with someoone you know about the new place, and the question is asked: Where is it? And, unlike when you're in a car, you don't just say Lisbon. They're asking for your neighborhood so they can place it. If you find out someone is close to you, frankly you're more likely to get together. Knowing where someone is from is helpful to find a dinner spot between the two of you, etc. It's the equivelant of saying what town in CT you are from.
Just "in that cool neighborhood where the lonely blue star lives" should suffice. 😏. It takes Google maps a few years to catch up to new developments. Sounds charming! Our new house is on an Azinhaga, which can translate to a narrow walkway or road between walls, OR on those apps that translate lists on forms, like avenue, boulevard, road, street, alley... Guess which is the translation of azinhaga....
It's refreshing to hear someone else's struggle with explaining where you live ;) In Brooklyn I had to contend with how everyone had heard of Ditmars Blvd in Queens and no one had heard of Ditmas Park in Brooklyn. I enjoyed a brief moment of living in easily identifiable locations in Toronto. Now, well, I don't know what to tell anyone.
I, too, am amazed that no one seems to know where Jardim do Torel is.
When I was in singing club whose members were mostly older guys, and people were giving directions, it was always "Turn left where the Stop & Shop used to be, continue to where the Ford dealer used to be, then take a right onto what used to be Baxter Farm Road...."
At least you don't live in Misericordia LOL. I'd hate to have to tell someone I lived in misericordia. And I guess if you don't know where you live, that might keep unwanted visitors away. Especially ones who don't know Portuguese. I mean, how would you tell a taxi driver where to go?
This reminds me: my mother worked at an architectural firm, Moore, Grover, Harper. They decided to change names and picked the name of the town: Centerbrook Architects. They sent out a notice to let everyone know. They got a response: Good thing you don't live in East Porcupine!
Sintra! That locale and that palace you mentioned played a role in fantasy trilogy that I just finished. I read it and wondered if you'd heard and figured well, of course they have 🙂 anyway, most of the series takes place in a wizarding school that exists outside of reality and the gateway is on the palace grounds.
A Deadly Education is the first one and doesn't actually mention the outside world.
The area between Estefania and Avenida Liberdade, north of Lavra and just down from Campo Martires da Patria is always a mystery :)
I think I'm going to start calling it the mystery neighborhood. That'll clear everything up.
And it's a fabulous place! It's like a forgotten nook.
Hi, Native from Lisbon here. If you live in Rua do Passadiço, you will need a "periphrasis of location" (just invented the expression) to explain where you live to a Lisboa inhabitant (who knows the city well enough). So... it would be «Atrás dos Capuchos» or «Entre os Capuchos e a Avenida da Liberdade». Then, as the person would look at you with a confused look, you would be more precise: «Sabes (o Hospital d)os Capuchos?» (puzzled look) «... o Campo dos Mártires da Pátria?» (a bit less puzzled look). «Fica aí, atrás dos Capuchos, a descer para a Av. da Liberdade...» Finally the person would say (geographically defeated): «Ok...». To a foreigner or to a tourist or to someone who doesn't know Lisboa well, try the "periphrasis of location" (just for some fun), explain that it is a secret, quiet place quite near the Avenida da Liberdade, then smile intriguingly and forget about it.
Exactly! That happens! The quizzical look. The further explanation... Jardim do Torel? Nada. Oy!
Yep. Keep your "secret place" unrevealed and just smile (like you knew where a treasure is and wouldn't disclose the X). It just proves that Lisbon, even in the "center", has hidden spots, out of sight, quiet, discrete streets, alleys, squares, little gardens... That we (lisboetas) and you (dear residents) need to cherish and keep concealed.
This was such a fun and funny post! Can't wait to see you two on the cover of Vogue someday soon...even if it's only because you inadvertently wandered through the back of a photo shoot...
I have seen people shooting what I assume was a television commercial in Campo Mártires da Pátria. I suppose it could have been a scene from a movie or TV show as well. 🤷🏻♂️ So perhaps a Vogue shoot could happen. 😆
Interesting... but, of course, not limited to Lisboa. I live in the Fulton Heights neighborhood of Medford, Massachusetts, and I still haven't found a reliable map of the informal neighborhood names. The city of Boston, on the other hand, has 21 _official_ designated "neighborhoods," which are actual administrative subdivisions.
Confusing for guests, but as long as Josie can lead you home, why worry?
You meet somebody new, or you're chatting with someoone you know about the new place, and the question is asked: Where is it? And, unlike when you're in a car, you don't just say Lisbon. They're asking for your neighborhood so they can place it. If you find out someone is close to you, frankly you're more likely to get together. Knowing where someone is from is helpful to find a dinner spot between the two of you, etc. It's the equivelant of saying what town in CT you are from.
Sounds confusing.
Ayup!
Just "in that cool neighborhood where the lonely blue star lives" should suffice. 😏. It takes Google maps a few years to catch up to new developments. Sounds charming! Our new house is on an Azinhaga, which can translate to a narrow walkway or road between walls, OR on those apps that translate lists on forms, like avenue, boulevard, road, street, alley... Guess which is the translation of azinhaga....
It's refreshing to hear someone else's struggle with explaining where you live ;) In Brooklyn I had to contend with how everyone had heard of Ditmars Blvd in Queens and no one had heard of Ditmas Park in Brooklyn. I enjoyed a brief moment of living in easily identifiable locations in Toronto. Now, well, I don't know what to tell anyone.
I, too, am amazed that no one seems to know where Jardim do Torel is.
Jardim do Torel is SUCH a gem, as is Campos dos Martires da Patria! Who knew?
When I was in singing club whose members were mostly older guys, and people were giving directions, it was always "Turn left where the Stop & Shop used to be, continue to where the Ford dealer used to be, then take a right onto what used to be Baxter Farm Road...."
At least you don't live in Misericordia LOL. I'd hate to have to tell someone I lived in misericordia. And I guess if you don't know where you live, that might keep unwanted visitors away. Especially ones who don't know Portuguese. I mean, how would you tell a taxi driver where to go?
This reminds me: my mother worked at an architectural firm, Moore, Grover, Harper. They decided to change names and picked the name of the town: Centerbrook Architects. They sent out a notice to let everyone know. They got a response: Good thing you don't live in East Porcupine!
Taxi drivers you just say the street address.
Sintra! That locale and that palace you mentioned played a role in fantasy trilogy that I just finished. I read it and wondered if you'd heard and figured well, of course they have 🙂 anyway, most of the series takes place in a wizarding school that exists outside of reality and the gateway is on the palace grounds.
A Deadly Education is the first one and doesn't actually mention the outside world.
And MAPS! 🥰
I thought you might like this one! I'll look into that series! Thanks!