Lisbon, What happened in/to Lisbon

Lisbon, It disappeared from my Blog but not from my memory or pictures

Between Switzerland and Barcelona was 5 wonderful days in Lisbon, but my posting never happened, so I am reposting it here.

Lisbon is another beautiful colorful city, probably a half way point from Italy and Spain, a little of each. Italian cafes, lots of similar architecture, but just not as ancient roman as is Barcelona.
There is a lot of Gothic architecture, buildings 150+ years old, metal framework and scrolling. Broad avenues that in many cases are now auto free.

Wish the US would learn that cars can be relegates to the periphery and that to have to walk a couple of blocks is a benefit, not a curse.It is so nice to not be dodging traffic all the time. Especially in the major urban areas where people will circle a block several times to get a closer parking space, just pull to the curb and walk. I've done a lot of walking these past months, and I feel a lot better for it.
OK, off my ecology soapbox now.

I just happened to be in Lisbon the night they won the berth to play in the Futbol World Cup, and you knew it as soon as the game was over. The cars all honked their horns in a certain 3 toot manner to represent Por-tu-gal, over and over again, around the many roundabouts and alleyways. It was good fun watching the bedlam of cacophony sights and sounds.
Lisbon has lots of small piazzas or squares. A street hardly goes for more than a couple of blocks without either changing direction in a square or just opening up into a park like atmosphere.

When you buy a bus pass, many of the exhibits and activities are included for free, because they are operated by the bus company. And all the transportation activities are included. Subway, streetcar, bus, funicular, and minibus. no limit per day, just get on and off as you wish. Makes planning and touring very easy.

One of the things I wanted to do was go up the Gothic tower in the middle of old Lisbon. From it you get an incredible overview of the city.

Another thing was the harbor entryway, with its 14th century buildings announcing the start of the city. The architecture is wonderful. Lots of covered walkways.

And had to visit the obligatory Castle on the mountaintop.

It appear my Grandmother, My father's mom, was here and had a metro stop named after her. How many Apolonia's are there running around.


In most of these European cities, you will find these artists, students mostly, creating live works of art. In this case, I really didn't believe he was alive until he waved at me.

There are many more Photos in the photo library, of the architecture, streets and the people. I did not find as compelling a place to do night photos tho. Just didn't catch my eye as much. But this building did.

Here is the link to the other pictures in my library: Lisbon Portugal