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This was our second visit to Lisbon on the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Other than the ancient history, beautiful architecture, culture, food and welcoming people, it is hard to not realize just how steep the terrain is. A fast rise from the port into the city and up, up and away you go. The first time we were in Lisbon we visited the Alfama district and being gluttons for the punishing climb, we found ourselves there once again. This district, dating back to the 11th century winds its way through narrow residential streets with old world architecture. The neighborhood, beginning right off the port area, was designed as a maze to trap would be pirates who came to loot and pillage from the sea. No doubt, it is really easy to get lost in the labyrinth of slippery, cobblestone streets and because of just how treacherous the climb can be, it makes you completely worn out physically and an easy prey for capture by the locals.
We ventured to Feira da Ladra, an outdoor flea market, which is held within the Alfama district of Lisbon twice a week. The name, Feira da Ladra market translates in English to, Market of the Female Thieves. It is a gigantic collection of items ranging from vintage clothing to local art and sundries. We estimate that all items lumped together it is 80% junk as is typical in many flea markets. Haggling the price down is part of the process. After spending at least, two hours wandering the streets filled with stands, we bought a case for sunglasses. Wow, big spenders. Crowded is an understatement and in addition to people milling about, the vehicular traffic was an added bonus to pedestrian safety. Add on top of that, the friggin streets are so steep that you constantly feel like you are on an angle. The weather was warm and extremely windy, so merchandise was constantly flying around adding to the organized chaos with vendors chasing their merchandise as it blew around. What fun until it was not fun anymore. So, having enough we decided it was time for some lunch and quiet time. We ventured down towards the port area where it was much flatter. A nice little outdoor café was just what we needed. A cold glass of brewskis and some local nibbles hit the spot. Of course, we had to have a traditional Pasteis de Nata as a sweet end to the mid-day meal. Just as it was up in the Alfama the wind was blowing with ferocity. We were eating outside under a tent and were surprised it did not completely blow away. Over the years we have noticed how Europeans seem to value quiet time and really know how to slow down and smell the coffee. In the States folks are always so rushed and living outside of themselves. It’s taken years but we are starting to realize how comforting it is to take the time to take it all in. After a leisurely lunch break, we decided to get on a Tuk Tuk, a three wheeled electric motorized cabin cycle. They look like a fancy rickshaw. There were four of us along with the driver in this contraption. I sat, facing backwards, in the rear seat, camera in hand as we flew, and I mean flew, through the city streets. I felt like a foreign country news correspondent. Our driver was a great guide, narrating as we sped through one neighborhood after another. We really got a good feel of how large and diverse the architecture and culture in Lisbon is. We worked our way to the very top of the city. There were about a hundred Tuk Tuks parked with even more tourists congregating at the lookout point. After spending some time taking photos and looking out over the city and Atlantic Ocean we got back in the vehicle and headed down through narrow streets filled with pedestrian and motorized traffic. Again, an exercise in controlled chaos. An observation we have made after the many countries we have visited abroad, over the years, is that we are really blessed in the US to have such a diversity of culture. When you travel in Europe the culture of the country you are in is predominant with small offshoots of subcultures within. By contrast, the US is a true melting pot of the world. People from all parts of the globe living side by side, sharing history, culture, food and traditions with one another. A stimulating and educational way to live, all sharing differences with each other. Yes, that may sound utopian but other than the fact that it may not be working as designed, it is a beautiful concept. Let’s hope we can, one day, learn to appreciate the potential in living together in peace and harmony.
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October 2022
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