Lisbon Lowdown: Lost in the Pastel Hues
okay, so lisbon. where do i even start? i'm pretty sure my internal compass is permanently magnetized to this city. i'm a freelance photographer, perpetually chasing the golden hour (or, let's be real, any decent light). and honestly? it's been a whirlwind.
let's just say the numbers that popped into my head - 2171507 and 1036502269 - felt…significant. like some kind of coded message from the universe telling me to book a flight. probably because my savings account was whimpering, but hey, adventure, right?
The weather here is…an experience. i just checked and it’s clinging to a cool embrace, hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity is a beast, clinging to you like a friendly ghost. the air smells of salt and something vaguely floral, maybe jasmine? honestly, i haven’t quite deciphered the olfactory mystery of lisbon yet.
my little corner of the city is…interesting. think brightly painted buildings crammed together, laundry strung between windows, and the constant murmur of conversations in portuguese. if you get bored, Sintra is just a short drive away. i heard that the crowds there can be brutal, though. someone told me to go early, like, really early, if you want to snag a glimpse of Pena Palace without feeling like you’re in a mosh pit.
gear-ish things i’ve been lugging around:
Camera: obviously. a trusty sony a7iii.
*Lenses: a zoom (24-70mm) and a prime (35mm - perfect for those little alleyways).
*Tripod: essential for those dreamy long-exposure shots near the Tagus River.
*Portable Charger: seriously, don't even think about leaving home without one.
*Comfortable Shoes: you’ll be doing a lot of walking. cobblestones are no joke.
street food is my jam. i've been obsessed with pastel de nata - those custard tarts are pure heaven. and the seafood? don't even get me started. i'm pretty sure i single-handedly kept a few restaurants afloat this week.
regarding accommodations…someone warned me that some of the guesthouses in the Alfama district can be…rustic. apparently, 'rustic' is code for 'charmingly dilapidated.' i opted for a little Airbnb, and so far, so good. though the showerhead has a mind of its own.
oh, and the locals? super friendly! i wandered into a little bar near the Time Out Market and ended up chatting with a retired fisherman who regaled me with stories of his life at sea. i even got recommendations on where to find the best ginjinha* (cherry liqueur). i heard that you should always be polite and say "obrigado/a" (thank you - male/female). it goes a long way.
this city is a chaotic beauty. a place where history and modernity collide, where the scent of coffee hangs heavy in the air, and where getting lost is half the fun. definitely adding this one to the list of places i’ll be dreaming about for months to come. i'm already planning my return trip. seriously considering a longer stay next time - maybe even learning some basic portuguese. you can find some great walking tours on TripAdvisor - a good way to get your bearings.
plus, there’s an excellent online forum for expats in Lisbon - might be helpful if you’re considering a longer sojourn ( [link to expat forum] ). and for food recommendations, Yelp is your friend ( [link to Yelp Lisbon] ).
and hey, if you're into street art, you can check out Lisbon Street Art ( [link to Lisbon Street Art] ).
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