Finally! A day like we'd been hoping for (and pics for you, too!)
Lisbon update #5
Today was a perfect day for a walk. So, we took one. A meandering, 2.7K (one-way) walk. We made it to the ocean.
We set out for the Praça do Comércio which you'd recognize if you've ever seen a movie or YouTube clip of Lisbon. As one of the iconic sights in the city, it has to either open or close any video set here. It's the law. Look it up.
Along the way, we encountered some interesting sights in their own right. Like this sweeping panorama of our new home:
And the almost-as-iconic-but-inarguably-more-beautiful arch that leads to the Praça:
Not to mention the usual collection of jaw-dropping ironwork, cobblestone design, and tile mosaics that never cease to amaze us (and about which we will write more later because there's a lot there to show).
Oh, and here's that recognizable view (I hope you like it because I sat on something sticky to take it; I hope my shorts survive):
One of the more amazing things about this area from my perspective is that directly across the street from the above, there's this:
It's possible to get right down to the water either on a sandy beach or by taking a series of shallow-rise steps:
On the way home, we stopped at a snack bar for lunch. We went just off the beaten path and had a lovely meal.
With very nice views for each of us:
After our sandwiches, I ordered "um abacaxi" to cap off the meal. Our waiter, who spoke solid English and who'd been bemused by - and helpful with - my bungled Portuguese, asked, "Anánas?" I pointed to the picture of the pineapple on the menu, clearly labeled abacaxi; he nodded and went inside. I heard him shout "Anánas!" as he entered. I said to Amy, "I'm not at all sure what we'll be getting for dessert." A moment later, our waiter walked by our table and disappeared around the corner to the left (just behind Amy's head). I joked to Amy, "He must be going to a fruitaria to buy a pineapple 😂." About three minutes later I let out a bark of laughter and Amy was amazing in her restraint - she did not turn around to see our waiter re-appearing around the corner, pineapple in hand. Soon we were enjoying this:
As we were getting ready to leave, I asked the waiter about the abacaxi/anánas situation. Turns out abacaxi is what Brazilians call pineapple. Anánas is European Portuguese. He knows, he said, because he's from Brazil. Why it's written as it is on the menu is a different story (that we did not get) but it's another reason to be careful which resources one uses when trying to learn Portuguese. The differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese are not always huge but they can be significant. Regionalisms develop over centuries when countries are separated by an ocean.
Two other major accomplishments since our last update:
First, we received and built a wardrobe from IKEA.
One of the doors arrived damaged. They'll be swapping it for another one either Thursday or Friday (the rep on the phone said Friday, the follow up email said Thursday ...). This more than doubles our space for interior storage. (It also looms large over our living room.) Now the only thing holding us back is a lack of clothes hangers 😂.
Second, the new refrigerator that our landlord kindly got us arrived. It looms large over our kitchen.
So things here are ... a lot loomier, I suppose. And closer to the point where we can feel like we're unpacked and settled in.
That's all for now.
Love from Lisbon!
Scott & Amy
Wow - looks like you're living near where we stayed. Our metro stop was Avenida. Loved that area up the hill. So excited for you, and looking forward to reading more.