Lisboa

At the bus station this morning a woman walked right up to me and started speaking in German. I smiled and told her I didn't understand. Apparently I look German as well. She asked for my email address so she could practice her English. A bit odd but I gave it to her.

The Eva bus company doesn't mess around. We left a minute early and they had a bus attendant. After a few stops in the Algarve towns we expressed to Lisboa where the attendant walked up and down selling snacks, sandwiches and beverages. Fancy.

It was about a four hour bus ride. Coming into Lisbon we went across the Ponte 25 de Abril where I got to see Portugal's version of the Corcovado. Snapped a few photos. I don't think I'll trek back there to see it.

The bus station connects with the metro station, and after a short metro ride and short walk I arrived at Yes! Lisbon. Nice place. My room has five beds and I somehow managed to get the one that doesn't have a bunkmate. Each bed also has a little curtain for privacy. Pretty swanky.

After settling in I walked to the Praca do Comercio just in time to watch a group of people rally/protest and walk across the square. Something about agriculture.

After sitting on the bus for that long I decided to take a nice long walk. I wandered along the Rio Tejo with the goal of walking to the other main bridge - Vasco da Gama. Turns out it is much farther than I expected. Blisters ensued.

I thought it'd be a pretty walk, but for most of it I walked by shipyards full of shipping containers and factory looking things. The graffiti, litter, and run-down buildings reminded me of Sao Paulo. It finally did get pretty and scenic around the oceanario, casino, a science museum, and several other things. I walked into the Centro Vasco da Gama - a mall. I wanted to see what kind of stores they had. Lots of American chains, both clothing and food. The two most notable things were a kiosk that sold colored toilet paper, and a store called Women'secret. Not just Victoria's here, it's everyone's secret.

I then decided to go to an Indian restaurant in honor of Vasco da Gama, since he established the sea route to India. Not really. I was tired, hungry, and it was close and seemed a better option than fast food or the two Brasilian rodizios.

Most of the walk to that area of town was very desolate. I was the only pedestrian for most of it and got several stares, honks, and a guy even offered to give me a ride. I politely declined. Sketchy. So I decided to take the metro back to the hostel. It turned out it was 12 metro stops away!

I'm going to wake up when I wake up tomorrow. I hope I get up in time for the included breakfast, but so be it if I sleep through it. My favorite days are when I don't have to set an alarm.