PORTUGAL

Having set out from Santiago in terrible pain (shoulders, feet, and knees) I was anxiously anticipating a bit of relaxation in Portugal. There was something about Portugal that really attracted me in that it almost seemed untouched by tourism. Of almost everyone I talked to about my trip as I seeked suggestions, I can't recall a single person who had been (or at least recommended) Portugal. I was excited to check it out.

PORTO
My first stop. Most famous for its production of Port wine, a sweeter wine (its red, but they make whites too) to be had after dinner. As I made my way to my hostel I was a bit tentative as downtown was not in sight. Sometimes you roll the dice with online hostel bookings. I pressed a doorbell on what appeared to be an apartment and was greeted by a friendly Portugese man who led me up to his hostel/home. Check in was in the kitchen, as was the common area. As I was checking in his wife was ooking dinner and his two children were doing there homework, all the while guests were enjoying themselves. I immediately liked this place for it's homey feel, not too mention it was extremely clean and affordable. The one drawback was the twenty minute walk to the city, but having knocked out five hours a day (on average) I figured I could handle it. I walked around that night to check out the sites but it proved rather tough as the sites were decentralized.

The next morning I awoke from an amazing nights sleep, which really wasn't hard to accomlish since I had a pillow AND a blanket and also only had 6 (instead of 32) people in my room. I headed back into town and crossed over the massive bridge that seperates the city to make my way to the wineries. After about an hour of searching for the right winery (it was saturday and many were closed) and stumbled upon Croft, which was both open and free. I was limited in time and had to take the Spanish tour (they offer them in german, french, english, and portugese too) and enjoyed one of their whites (an apertif) while I waited. The tour lasted about a half hour and I was actually able t understand a great deal of it, which gave me some confidence in my Spanish abilities. They took us al around the winery (not a vineyard) and explained the history, how it was made, and showed us all the barrels and even the reserves. The tour was capped off with a nice glass of their reserve port. Even though Im not a big fan of sweet wines, this was actually my first port/apertif experience and I must admit that I quite liked it. The tours themselves are great and a tremendous deal (I think the most expensive of the 17 is 3 euros) but just be careful not to drink too much in one sitting as I'd imagine you get quite sick.

I was a bit saddened to leave after only one day, but I had a flight in four days and two more cities to visit so I made my way down to Lisbon.

LISBON
I was also slightly nervous about my hostel in Lisbon because it had a 100% rating, which I figured was either a computer error or someone manipulating data. Although it wasn't 100%, it was damn close. Traveller's House was it's name and it was located in the center of the city and owned and operated by twenty-something travelers. I don't think there's any way they make a profit because for it's quality and location it's a steal. The ameneties were top notch and they provided food and drink for a low cost that was all on the honor system. That night they hosted a get together and provided traditional potugese fare: olives, ham, chorizo, bread, and of course, wine. I managed eat my fill and have three glasses of wine and it only cost me two euros. The atmosphere was very social and I ended up staying in the entire night chatting with other travellers. At first I felt like I should have gone out and seen the city to make the most of my time, but then I realized experiences like that are also part of the backpacking experience. A conglomeration of nationalities sharing stories and recommendations in good humor with people they've only met an hour ago is hard to come by and I cherished every second of it.

The next day, however, I decided to set out and see what needed to be seen. Lisbon is also decentralized, as well as massive so this proved rather tough. I made my way up the main pedestrain thoroughfare to the top of a hill. Here the view was absolutely spectacular but also defeating. It encaptured the entire city while proving to be a reminder that there was no way I was going to be able to see everythig that I wanted to see. I appreciated the city and would go back (if for no other reason than the hostel) but have to admit that I was a bit burnt out of big cities and was ready for something smaller. I caught a bus that afternoon to my next destination: Lagos.

sorry

terribly sorry to anyone checking my blog, ive been terible as of recent. Though the internet has been a bit splotchy and my schedule has gotten a bit busier. I will have a new post up by monday and should be much more consistent as things are going to slow down a bit.