Lisbon's a Blur: Lost in Pastel and Pastéis de Nata
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and questionable espresso. 2337659… that’s the number of tiny, chipped tiles i’ve stared at today. 1566336253 - that’s the timestamp of my brain completely short-circuiting trying to process all this. the weather here is… there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s like a perpetual, slightly damp hug. 26.42 degrees, feels like 26.42, temp_min 26.42, temp_max 26.42, pressure 1011, humidity 68, sea_level 1011, grnd_level 978. seriously, check the barometric pressure, it’s doing weird things.
Lisbon. it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, chaotic, slightly crumbling lot. i landed yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stumbled into a Wes Anderson film directed by a sleep-deprived pigeon. the streets are a maze of impossibly narrow alleys, each one crammed with tiny shops selling everything from hand-painted ceramics to vintage sunglasses. i spent a solid hour just wandering, getting hopelessly lost, and then finding a tiny tasca serving the best bifana i’ve ever tasted. it was a good start.
I’m staying in Alfama, which is basically a living, breathing museum of sound. Fado music spills out of every doorway, competing with the clatter of trams and the shouts of street vendors. it’s intense, but in a good way. i found a little Airbnb - it’s basically a converted attic with a view of the Tagus. the host, Maria, gave me some seriously cryptic advice: "Don’t trust the pigeons. They know more than they let on." i’m taking that to heart.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Sintra is just a short drive away. someone told me that the Pena Palace is ridiculously over-the-top, like a Disney castle designed by a madman. i’m planning a day trip. i also heard that the seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro is legendary - apparently, you need to arrive before noon or you’ll be waiting for six hours. i’m not risking it.
I’ve been snapping photos like a maniac, trying to capture the essence of this place. it’s hard. everything feels… saturated. like someone cranked up the saturation on reality. i’m leaning heavily into the gritty, the imperfect, the slightly broken. it’s more honest, you know? i’m trying to avoid the Instagram-perfect shots. i’m going for the ‘i almost tripped and spilled my coffee’ vibe.
I stumbled across this little street art collective in the LX Factory - it’s a repurposed industrial complex filled with quirky shops and restaurants. the art is incredible, raw, and full of attitude. it’s a good reminder that Lisbon isn’t just about the old-world charm; there’s a vibrant, contemporary art scene happening here too. check out their website: https://www.lxfactory.com/.
And the food! don’t even get me started on the food. pastéis de nata are obviously a must, but seriously, explore. try the sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines), the arroz de marisco (seafood rice), the caldo verde (kale soup). i’m pretty sure i’m going to gain ten pounds, but it’s totally worth it. i found a great Yelp review for a tiny place called “Zé da Mouraria” - apparently, their seafood stew is to die for. https://www.yelp.com/
Okay, quick gear list for anyone planning a trip: comfortable shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking), a reusable water bottle, a universal adapter, and a healthy dose of patience. and maybe a pigeon repellent. just in case. i’m also carrying a notebook and a pen - i’m trying to write everything down before i forget it. it’s a struggle.
I overheard some drunk tourists at a bar last night saying that the Jerónimos Monastery is “overrated” and that the Belém Tower is “just a big rock.” honestly, i don’t know what they were talking about. they seemed pretty convinced, though. i’m going to check them out anyway. i’m also planning a visit to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga - i heard that it has an amazing collection of Portuguese paintings. https://www.mnaa.pt/en/
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Seriously, this city is exhausting, but in the best possible way. it’s a sensory overload, a beautiful mess, and a constant reminder that life is too short to take things too seriously. i’m going to go find another pastel de nata and then probably collapse into a heap. goodnight, world.