PORTUGAL: Abandoned Buildings

We think Portugal is a beautiful country with many things to appreciate. 

Although, we have noticed there are a lot of decrepit and abandoned buildings.  

PORTUGAL: Just a Few Tiles

Throughout Portugal you will see tiles everywhere.

Tiles adorn inner walls, exterior walls, churches, train stations, stores, restaurants, benches, street signs, etc. 

PORTUGAL: The Ups and Downs to the Hills in Porto

 We thought the hills in Lisbon were tough, well, welcome to Porto, the second biggest city in Portugal, with, as far as I am concerned, much steeper hills.

We loved the old city with their narrow winding streets. But imagine carrying your groceries up this hill. To discover you forgot the olive oil? Aaaggghhh!

PORTUGAL: Day Trips Out of Lisbon

To get a feel for a country you can't just visit the big cities and think that is representative of the whole country. Imagine saying that New York, or London, or, Toronto or Sydney, etc. represent their entire countries. 

Sintra is about a 35 minute drive NW of Lisbon. It is much cooler than the city, is nestled in hills and trees and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also where the wealthy built palatial homes. 

PORTUGAL: Calçada Portuguesa

Many of the sidewalks throughout Portugal have beautiful mosaic patterns of generally black and white limestone tiles. 

These tiled sidewalks are called "calcada portuguesa". 

PORTUGAL: Churches in Lisbon

There are a LOT of churches in Lisbon. A LOT! 

JK - PORTUGAL: The Great Lisbon Earthquake

 The Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755

PORTUGAL: Ginginja

If you haven't tasted ginginja while in Portugal, you're missing out on a national tradition.

JK: PORTUGAL: Cost of Living

How much do things Cost and How Much do People Earn?

PORTUGAL: The Secrets to Tackling the Hills of Lisbon

The locals do have some secrets to deal with the hills in Lisbon.

PORTUGAL: The Reality of the The Hills in Lisbon

The hills in Lisbon are great for getting a bird's eye view of the city. 

But that has to be balanced with the reality of dealing with the ups and downs of them. 

From a practical perspective, what about bringing groceries home, getting to school or to the office, riding a bike, parking a car and just plain everyday living? 

These are serious questions to ponder.

PORTUGAL: Lisbon's Panoramic Views

Lisbon has 7 hills that provide great vistas of the city and surrounding area. 

Strategically situated on the top of Sao Jorge's hill, the highest of the 7 hills, is Castelo de St Jorge (St Jorge's Castle). It offers awesome 360 degree views. 

on the Castle walls

PORTUGAL: First Port of Entry: Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal was a great seafaring nation where courageous explorers "discovered" many lands unknown to Europeans. 

So what better place to start our adventure than in Lisbon, Portugal?

First Things First

We couldn't leave on our adventure to parts unknown without first visiting my 97 year old mom in Ottawa, Canada.

She is excited for us and asked if she could join us. 

The only thing she can't understand is why we chose to become homeless.

I told her it just made sense to us since we don't know where we're going or when we'll be back. Being homeless means we can be totally foot loose and fancy free. 

We're now ready to catch our flight to hop the pond and start our journey.