6/21/17: Lisbon Day 2

Our second full day in Lisbon was spent touring the three districts that combined make up Lisbon's central core with John's mom and Richard. The Alfama (most historic), the bairo-alto (the high town), and the baixa-chiado (low town) each have their own unique vibrancy and color.

We began in one of the central plazas that overlooks the ocean, compete with an arch that welcomes visitors to the town, much like Paris's Arc de Triomphe.

 

In the Alfama, we learned that a big street party occurs every June 13 in celebration of St. Antonio, and the remnants of decorations were everywhere. This part of the city was built centuries ago, and people were on average shorter than today, so we saw many small doors that one would have to duck under to enter today. We also kept seeing some incredibly small fire hydrants. How would the fire trucks get through the narrow streets anyway?

 

 

 

 



In the bairo-alto, a highlight besides the view was a drink called Ginjinha, made from brandy, sugar, cinnamon, and berries. We each tried a shot from the oldest Ginjinha place in town for only €1.10 each! In the middle of our tour of this neighborhood we stumbled on a market where we were able to buy delicious olives, chorizo, and ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch. We were so hungry, we forgot to take pictures of this part.

 

 


Baixa-chiado is known for its shopping, and after touring the area, John's parents went to take a rest before dinner and John and Adam shopped. Though nothing has yet been bought, stay tuned for future purchase news. Dinner was at an Argentinean restaurant with a fantastic view on a characteristic street in bairo-alto. A guitarist entertained us as we tried vinho verde for the first time, a white wine with a hint of fizz that comes from the north of Portugal. 

 

At the end of the day we parted ways with John's patents as they begin a bike trip of the coast of Portugal. How incredible!


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