Lisbon’s a Blur: Rain, Pastel Buildings, and Seriously Strong Coffee
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and the sheer force of will. 2325590… that’s the timestamp of when i finally collapsed into a hostel bed after 36 hours of chasing light and questionable pastries. 1566395088 - that’s the number of steps i’ve taken trying to find the perfect pastel de nata. and honestly? i’m still not sure. the temp was 32.96, feels like 33.51, min 32.96, max 32.96, pressure 1009, humidity 39, sea level 1009, ground level 974. it was…sticky. like, aggressively sticky.
Lisbon, man. it’s a sensory overload in the best way possible. i’m a touring session drummer, so my usual routine involves lugging gear and desperately trying to find a decent soundcheck, but this was…different. it’s just…loud. not in a bad way, but like, the city is loud. the trams rattling, the street musicians, the constant chatter - it’s a beautiful chaos. i spent most of yesterday wandering Alfama, getting hopelessly lost in the narrow, cobbled streets. i swear, i saw a cat wearing a tiny hat. a tiny hat.
I stumbled upon this little cafe, ‘O Bairro’, tucked away on a side street. the owner, a guy named Ricardo, looked like he’d wrestled a bear and won. he poured me a coffee - a serious coffee - that tasted like dark chocolate and regret. someone told me that the best ginjinha (cherry liqueur) is served in tiny chocolate cups at a place called ‘Monte Mare’. i didn’t try it, honestly. i was too busy trying to avoid puddles.
Speaking of puddles, the rain started around lunchtime. not a gentle drizzle, mind you. a full-on, biblical downpour. i ducked into a bookstore - ‘Livraria Bertrand’ - which is apparently the oldest bookstore in the world. it was packed with tourists and locals alike, all huddled together, reading and sipping coffee. i overheard a group of Portuguese guys arguing about football - predictably. it’s always football.
Someone told me that the best viewpoint in the city is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Apparently, you can see all of Lisbon from up there. I didn't make it, I was too busy trying to find a dry pair of socks.
I managed to snag a few shots with my camera - mostly blurry, rain-soaked images of colorful buildings and determined faces. i’m pretty sure i captured a pigeon wearing a tiny raincoat. photographic evidence of the madness. i need to update my gear list: waterproof bag (priority one), extra batteries (priority two), and maybe a therapist (priority three).
I checked TripAdvisor and Yelp, and the general consensus is that Lisbon is amazing. 4.5 stars across the board. people rave about the food, the history, the nightlife. i’m inclined to agree. it’s just…a lot. i heard that the LX Factory is a must-see - a converted industrial complex filled with shops, restaurants, and art studios. i’ll add it to the list for next time.
I’m seriously considering moving here. Or at least spending a few more weeks. If you’re looking for a place to get lost, to eat amazing food, and to embrace the chaos, Lisbon is your spot. Just be prepared for the rain. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
If you get bored, Porto is just a short drive away. It’s supposed to be equally chaotic, but with more port wine. i’m not complaining.
I found this cool little record store, ‘Record Store’, near the train station. They had a surprisingly good selection of vintage vinyl. i scored a copy of Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ for a steal.
Seriously, go. Just go. And maybe bring an umbrella. And a really, really strong coffee.
Check out this local board for events: https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/node/1127
And for more coffee recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/b/lisbon-portugal/coffee-shops
And finally, a good place to stay: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g189199-Lisbon_Lisbon_District-Hotels-Reviews.html
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