Did I mention how beautiful Portugal is?
More on this place later!
On the 28 tram line
Apparently the 28 tram line is a prime target for pickpocketers. A lot of tourists use this line to get to the west part of Lisbon and some of the greatest views are on this line, so you really had to keep an eye out (for both the views and the pickpocketers I guess)!
We met a Portuguese man named Felipe who was on his way to the market as well. He invited Teresa and I to sit down with him for some coffee in the middle of the market. He is a stage set arranger at the National Theatre in Lisbon. "I make the magic happen. With the set changes, I turn on the light when the set is ready." He opened his hand as if they were a flash of light on the stage.
We learned that he regularly goes to the market. Teresa asked him what his favorite things to buy are. "Vinyls, books, art." Then he adds, "You know, sometimes a gift for my person." He looks out the window with a smile. We walked the rest of the market together, with him pointing out interesting things, or asking for the price of an item ("Quanto costa?") we were interested in. I wished we got a photo with him - he was really cool.
We met a Portuguese man named Felipe who was on his way to the market as well. He invited Teresa and I to sit down with him for some coffee in the middle of the market. He is a stage set arranger at the National Theatre in Lisbon. "I make the magic happen. With the set changes, I turn on the light when the set is ready." He opened his hand as if they were a flash of light on the stage.
We learned that he regularly goes to the market. Teresa asked him what his favorite things to buy are. "Vinyls, books, art." Then he adds, "You know, sometimes a gift for my person." He looks out the window with a smile. We walked the rest of the market together, with him pointing out interesting things, or asking for the price of an item ("Quanto costa?") we were interested in. I wished we got a photo with him - he was really cool.
A fraction of the Thieves' Market!
You could find anything at this market! Old cell phones, hardware parts, handcrafted goods, old jewelry and clothes, appliances -- a fire extinguisher??
Tried on a pair of pants from Zara... it was less than 2€ (:
Sooo many people.
Oh and nbd, a beautiful backdrop to be shopping in!
After we were all shopped out (more than 2 hours later haha), we headed off to Belem!
Belem relative to Lisbon, via GoogleMaps
Belem is right by the Tagus River, and is only 20 minutes away by the 728 bus. It's also famous for being where egg tarts, or Pastel de Belem, were created.
Pasteis de Belem is the most famous bakery in Belem and it has its own secret recipe for its egg tarts. The queues for it could get quite long, so we were told it's faster to sit down and enjoy a proper meal.
The custard wasn't too sweet and the pastry was so deliciously flaky.
After indulging in the local cuisine, we went out to see some sights.
In front of the Jeronimos Monastery
(It seems like most monasteries are really fancy, despite what you'd expect)
(It seems like most monasteries are really fancy, despite what you'd expect)
The weather was beautiful today.
The fountain in front of the monastery
Really peculiar looking ducks by the pond near the fountain.
There were normal looking ducks in the pond adjacent to this one, so we sensed some serious segregation going on...
There were normal looking ducks in the pond adjacent to this one, so we sensed some serious segregation going on...
Right across the street from the fountain was the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or the Monument of Discoveries. It marks the sailing point of famous explorers like Vasco de Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, and Ferdinand Magellan (who are featured in the sculpture).
Chilling by the Tagus River
The Ponte 25 de Abril, which looks a loooot like the Golden Gate Bridge
Beautiful.
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