Lisbon. Oh Lisbon.

No, Lisbon didn't suck me up, spit me out onto the beach and leave me for dead. Though I can't say the same for that cephalopod (? what do I know) I saw floating lifeless in the shallow waters near the Tower of Belem.


R.I.P. whatever you are..
I call him Cedric.

We had a fabulous time in Lisbon--two days made for a painfully short visit. There is something so laid back about that city, you feel like you could just lounge around all day sipping on a cerveja or two. (Or three, if your drink is accompanied by a salty meal.)
But when you've only got 2 full days, you find yourself torn between wanting to explore it all, and wanting to just sit back, kick off your shoes and say "aaaahhh" while wearing a foamy moustache.



I had read before our trip that the light is somehow different in that part of the world. I figured I'd keep that little tidbit in mind and see if I notice it.
I look back now on my naivety and chuckle: "Oh, you silly Canadian".
As soon as we stepped out of our hotel room that first morning, there was no chance of not noticing how the light was different.
Excuse me for the series of rhyming words that is about to follow:
That was the most pure, bright, white light I have ever seen in my life.
And if you forget your sunglasses, never fear, because there are a million wandering sunglass-salesmen to keep your peepers protected.
It seemed like a totally different sun altogether, and even these two shade lovin' kids found ourselves basking in its warmth. The only way I could think to explain how it differed was this--it was like a putting a chicken for a long slow roast in an oven, warming it through to its bones without drying it out, whereas the sun that I'm used to is more like a quick sear under the broiler.
It was the kind of sun that I want in my life ALL THE TIME.

The city itself is stunning, brimming with art nouveau details that catch your eye at every corner. Even the sidewalks are worthy of a snapshot. After 2 days of walking around in that hilly city, our legs were stiff and sore. Had we had another few days to spend there, I think I might have been as sleek and toned as Madonna, without the leotard of course.


Lisbon sidewalk, I walked on that.

I fell completely in love with Lisbon. It felt so lived in, like your favourite leather jacket, that once cost you a fortune ages ago, but is now well-worn and softened, and fits you like a glove.

It's been 2 weeks since our return and I admit, I hesitated to write about it. I was so in awe of this city I almost couldn't find the words. And really, 2 days was not enough. We didn't see all that we wanted to see, we didn't eat all that we wanted to eat. What we do know though, is that we definitely want to go back.

Oh yes. We will definitely go back.