When I was in Lisbon in December 2016 on a solo trip, I recorded my first monologue to the camera. I didn't have anything planned out so I just ended up saying the first thing that popped into my head. Can't help but laugh every time I see how I almost gave up a few seconds in. I'll get used to being in front of the camera soon but I have not recorded myself since. The video mostly contains the weird time lapses and a photo tour of what I saw my three days in Lisbon; I really can't wait to explore a new city with the intention of showing you what I find.
I took a screenshot of the map below using the train station wifi and it was the only map I used to get to my hotel. Most of my inability to navigate was due to the fact that I had completely underestimated my cell phone plan and tried not to use it as much as possible out of fear of extra charges (which would have been worth every penny had they existed).
Screenshotted map I used to navigate to my hotel.
I arrived in Lisbon via train from Porto as seen in my last video and attempted to take a taxi to my hotel. As in Porto, but due to construction this time, my taxi ride ended far from my hotel. I was dropped off by the water and made my way to Memmo Alfama Hotel a few streets up. It was still late afternoon when I arrived so it wasn't too tricky to find my way up the windy, steep hill. As usual, I was so happy to be there that I was smiling the whole way. This amazing hotel was paid for via the rewards points I'd earned by opening the credit card I was using to pay for the trip so it was much more beautiful than the rest.
The view from my credit cards rewards funded hotel room.
After dropping my stuff in the room, I headed out for some food and a wander. Sadly, in the year and a half plus that has passed, I have forgotten what I ate but most likely it was pizza. I'm embarrassed to admit that most of my meals in Portugal involved pointing at pictures of food or at pieces of salted cod AKA bacalhau through a case after wandering around way too long in search of a place to eat I wouldn't feel too conspicuous. Eating alone in sit down restaurants is something I usually avoid because it is often pricier and it always feels weird when they say, "just one?" It gets easier every time. I spotted the church below on my way to find some food and the sky really was that blue.
The church a few blocks away from my hotel.
The inside of the church, I was inside for less than a minute cuz I was on the hunt for food.
I was blessed to be staying at a hotel with an amazing free breakfast well worth getting up for so I got an early start and started exploring Lisbon. For the most part I stuck to Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon, so I know I must go back someday soon to explore the rest. Most of the Street Art I included below was spotted within a half mile of each other while eating natas.
@TheRingOfDOOM and some Street Art in Lisbon.
@EduardoFonsecaArt in Lisbon
Flower square cuz why not.
The servers working at the restaurant in the courtyard with the flower cube above laughed at me when I tried to take a photo from below the cube. Sadly, it threw me off my game so the photo was terrible. I'll need to get over being laughed at yesterday if I want to make my next adventure work like I know it can when I rise above my own bullshit.
Love this message spotted just beyond the flower cube.
Lisbon Street Art
The Keith Haring type above was just a few feet away from where I filmed my first epic monologue. I could have hung out here all day if I wasn't so damn hungry again.
Yet another poorly lit photo of beautiful Lisbon Street Art
Lisbon Street Art
Lisbon Street Art
Lisbon Street Art
Lisbon Street Art
Lisbon Street Art
I spotted the Carmo Convent from Castelo de São Jorge at the top of the hill and I knew I had to visit. Ideally, I'd stay all day to maximize the lighting possibilities of the location but instead I settled for the photos below and kept on exploring.
Carmo Convent in Lisbon
Carmo Convent in Lisbon
Carmo Convent in Lisbon
I realize that the next three photos are kind of morbid but if there's one thing we can all relate to, it's that we will all die eventually. The question is will we be in an underground tomb with condensation on the window... and will someone make it look like they've gone down the steps into the tomb and then post a photo they found somewhere else right after?
A condensation covered tomb entrance in Carmo Convent.
The view down the hole in that same condensation covered glass.
Mummies in Carmo Convent
The moral of my Lisbon story is that three days is not nearly enough. The next time I go, I will be brave enough to go to a Fado club for dinner and to seek out nightlife instead of just going back to my hotel to write about music. I will take more photos of local holiday decor if I happen to see it because you just never know when Prince will make the sky turn purple for you.
Sunset in Lisbon during the holidays.
From the Lisbon airport, I flew into Barcelona where I would spend nine days wandering the streets eating iberico ham and eating pastries.
Ceiling of the Lisbon Airport