Ola. After 47 hours of sleeping, reading, eating and drinking (bubbles all the way – Yum Mumm ) and playing ladies in the Elite Gold lounges at every airport (thanks my wonderful friend) I finally touched down in Lisbon at !010 last night. The flight was completely without mishap, thanks probably to all the wonderful people I met on the way. Needless to say I was a bit tired by the time I met the lovely Jose, half an hour late – slow luggage.
That’s when the fun began. Booking.com still hadn’t downloaded for me – so I still didn’t know the codes to get in……. However, after many phone calls, texts etc, and a call for $150 coming at me from nowhere, we got there. Both the driver (who was now late for his next pick-up) and I were a bit iffy at this stage and first he tried to get into the wrong building, then he kept stuffing up the keypad and then he tried to get into an apartment on the wrong floor. I was quite relieved to finally say “Obrigata” and lock my door. No idea the time.
Part of the alley we came up in the very dark night – needless to say, as in Chch, in Lisbon there are homeless and rough sleepers! I will use a different alley tonight. To put this into context, I chose the area for proximity to the train station for Part 2 of my trip – except the trains are on strike. It is in a very old part of Lisbon, the Fado, home of Fado music. Extremely colourful and vibrant. And I’m now going by bus to Porto and looking at a very large taxi fare to Durraes, our first night.
Day 1 has been interesting, and to all those who were surprised, dubious, anxious about my big adventure, well you might have been. I couldn’t charge anything – wrong adaptor (tho chosen on advice – no name). A half hour walk and a lot of bad Portuguese later, I got one, took it home, wrong one (despite having NZ on the cover) so went back and had another go. Imodium is my new best friend – say no more. The floor isn’t very flat – the drips from my washing pointed that out when I returned after lunch. Will leave it at that, The washing machine/dryer has only symbols. I know if I included a photo, you visual/spatial creatives would work it out pronto, but I won’t.
This is for you 2, Bill and Jude. Happy memories!
I’ve been to a fantastic exhibition at a museum about Fado music, hence the area. Played soccer with Ronaldo – aged 7, talked (in a manner of speaking) to some gorgeous people from all round the world and had a great day. Had a Tibetan waitress. Thanks Irene and Cynthia – the money belt would appear to be invaluable – according to local sources.
Anyway, enough waffling. I’m off to try and find some bland food – may not be easy. It’s a VERY Portuguese area.
The alley I will go up tonight.
Please, if you want to reply, get in touch.. PLEASE don’t add it to this. You know my wee pedantries – if that’s a word. WhatsApp and email seem best. Hopefully if you’ve seen this, I’ve worked out how to share it. Oops, this may be on Facebook – difficult.
They say doing a Camino is a testing, spiritual journey of learning. Obviously mine has started already. I’m coming to terms with the real-time, real-life effects of some of my little ‘idiosyncrasies’ (failings) already. No surprise to those who know and love me.
Adeus
Singing the Camino 