Photo: Lisbon from Castelo de Sao Jorge
May 14, 2001 I take an EasyJet morning flight from London Luton to Madrid. At customs we are asked to wipe our shoes on a specially treated carpet to minimize the risk of spreading foot & mouth disease.
I spend the afternoon in Madrid, then take a late nite bus from the south bus station. The bus arrives 5:30 AM the next morning in Lisbon, Portugal. Once businesses open I look to change money. The first banks I go to want $8 to $9 commission to change $50. I eventually find an money exchange shop with minimal commission and a better rate than the banks.
When I try some of my Spanish on people, they are a little testy. They tell me to try Portuguese or speak English, but they are not Spanish!!
Photo: Bridge & castle of Castelo de Sao Jorge
I walk to the Castile de San Jorge. It was originally built in the 5th century by the Visigoths and enlarged in the 9th century by Moors. Great views of Lisbon.
Many Lisbon streets are under construction. A large number of people have cell phones. Drivers and pedestrians are very aggressive. Crossing streets seems risky at times because both driver and pedestrian actions are unpredictable.
Photo: Marine museum & Mosterio Dos Jeronimos, Belem
May 16, 2001 I took the tram to the nearby community of Belem. I saw the Mosteiro Dos Jeronimos and the seafront. Before returning to Lisbon I had lunch.
The outdoor cafe meal of the day was rice, fried fish and asparagus. The waiter also brought an appetizer of a small cheese block. It is a common practice to serve appetizers that are not ordered by the customer. I soon learned that if I did not touch such unwanted items, I would not be charged for them. The bill for the meal and appetizer was $5.
Photo: Doorway on hill up to Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon
Photo: Cannon at Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon
Photo: Details of Mosterio Dos Jeronimos, Belem
Photo: Mosterio Dos Jeronimos, Belem
Photo: Courtyard of Mosterio Dos Jeronimos, Belem
Map of Spain trip
