Lost in Lisbon: A Whirlwind of Tiles and…What Was That Noise?
okay, Lisbon. where do i even begin? i stumbled here with nothing but a vague sense of adventure and a craving for pastel de natas. definitely delivered on the pastry front. seriously, i think i consumed my body weight in them. don't judge.
first off, the numbers. 980595 and 1710965423. don't ask me what they mean. they just…were. i think i saw them scrawled on a wall near a tiny, hole-in-the-wall cafe. added to the whole surreal, slightly chaotic vibe of the place. the weather? i just checked and it's…sunny, but with this weird, hazy quality. like someone blurred the edges of the world. hope you like that kind of thing.
The air smells like salt and something vaguely floral, maybe jasmine? the humidity is clinging to you like a second skin - 57% - and the wind is a gentle, persistent whisper. the pressure is supposedly normal, 1007, but honestly, everything feels a little off-kilter.
i spent most of yesterday wandering the Alfama district. it's a labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets that seem to defy logic. picture this: laundry strung across alleyways, the faint strains of Fado music drifting from open windows, and the constant clatter of trams rattling past. it’s pure sensory overload, in the best way possible. i keep getting lost, which is half the fun.
someone told me that the Time Out Market is a tourist trap, but the food hall is insane. the sheer variety of options is overwhelming, but in a good way. i grabbed a bifana (pork sandwich) that was seriously life-changing. and a glass of local wine, of course. i’m pretty sure i’m officially addicted to the stuff.
i heard that the São Jorge Castle offers the best views of the city, but it was packed. seriously packed.
“Avoid the castle at peak hours unless you enjoy being shoulder-to-shoulder with selfie sticks.” - a local barista, who looked like she’d seen it all.
*Neighbors are friendly, but definitely give those street vendors a wide berth unless you’re prepared for some serious bargaining. if you get bored, Porto is just a short train ride away. i’m planning a day trip there next week - wish me luck navigating their equally charming (and confusing) streets.
i'm staying in a little guesthouse near the Bairro Alto. it’s a bit noisy at night - lots of chatter and laughter spilling out from the bars - but it’s got a great atmosphere. It reminds me of that little hostel in Barcelona, you know? the one with the communal kitchen and questionable plumbing.
Pro-tip: Wear comfortable shoes. seriously. you’ll be doing a lot of walking. And learn a few basic Portuguese phrases. Even just a “bom dia” or “obrigado” will go a long way. I found a helpful phrasebook on Lonely Planet's website. Lonely Planet Portugal Language Section.
I also stumbled across a cool little art gallery tucked away on a side street. The art was…interesting. Let’s just say it wasn’t for everyone. But hey, that’s part of the charm, right? and hey, the gallery owner claimed he was once a competitive hot dog eater. I don’t know if that’s true, but it made for a good story.
and the trams! absolute chaos. they’re like vintage metal monsters, weaving through the streets, barely missing pedestrians. i almost got run over twice. but it’s all part of the experience, i guess. i'm thinking of taking a tram tour tomorrow, just to get my bearings. i saw some reviews on Yelp about which routes are least crowded - Yelp Lisbon Tram Tours might be useful.
the sea level is 1007, which is… a lot of numbers, but i’m not really sure what it means. it’s all a bit much to process right now.
i just booked a cooking class. apparently, i’m going to learn how to make caldo verde* (a traditional Portuguese soup). fingers crossed i don't set the kitchen on fire.
i'm sharing my photos on Instagram - follow me @wandering_nomad for more Lisbon adventures! Instagram. and if you're looking for a good place to grab a coffee, check out this blog post on The Local Portugal - The Local Portugal Coffee Shops.
oh, and the noise…it's a constant hum, a low thrum of life. cars, trams, people talking, music playing. it’s actually kind of comforting, in a weird way. i’m starting to feel like i could get lost in this city forever… and i’m not entirely sure i want to find my way out.
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