DCBohemian's Photo(s) Of The Week

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Other Side And The Saint

June steam rolled in with lots of fun and exciting people, places, and events. It started off the festival of Saint Antoino. For Lisbon it is the biggest celebration/holiday of the year. Imag throwing New Years, Mardi Gras, St. Patricks Day, Independence Day, and Arbor Day in a blender and out comes Saint Antoino. It is chock full of sweets, sardines, drinking, parades, dancing, music, little basil plants, poetry, drinking, and having fun and then more drinking. We got to celebrate in two distinct neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own thing going on for the celebration. Our neighborhood of Santos had one street closed off and each restaurant on the block now had outdoor seating. Makeshift restaurants also sprang up all over the place. Beer tents went up over night and people everywhere were having a good ole time. We made our way to the Alfama, which was utter pandaemonium. The Alfama, which is known for its narrow streets and small shops was literally wall to wall people. It was almost like being in the Obama inauguration except it was not cold and we were partying like rock stars. Our friends, Geoff and Johanna lived in the Alfama and they had the inside scoop. Their cutaway street was transformed into party central. People in the apartments below and around them turned their apartment entrances into bars, restaurants, and other types of shops. Everyone and their grandmother was out tonight. Sardines were grilling as far as the eye could see. Ciparinias and Super Bock were being drank everywhere and fun was being had by all. We had missed every other celebration day, but this one we refused to miss and it payed off. If you are ever going to be in Lisbon for any holiday make it this one, you will never forget it.

View from our balcony in Santos with a long exposure

Up close of Cristo Rei

25 de Abril Bridge

Rodizio Pexie (All you can eat fish) in Setubal

Part of the coolest building

One of the coolest buildings in Lisboa

Melissa looking like the beauty she is.

Our street on Festa Saint Antonino June 13 (the patron Saint of Lisbon).

A fantastic server at the best restaurant in Lisbon, Taberna Ideal

Our street on Festa Saint Antonino June 13 (the patron Saint of Lisbon). Grilled sardines are a staple of this holiday.

Headed to the Alfama during Saint Antoino

My best friend for the month of May and June, the fartura man. Farturas are very similar to the Mexican churro or for you Americans a straight doughnut with cinnamon sprinkled on it.

Geoff contemplating stoicism

The Alfama for Saint Antoino

Johanna, Geoff, Melissa, and some other stragglers in the Alfama

Winding our way through the Alfama

Sardines are huge for this holiday

Apparently Johanna can fit her entire face into a circle

About to relax after a long night of celebrating

Thursday, June 17, 2010

end of may

May came and went. Spring was hanging around for just a few more weeks and everything was in bloom. The streets were lined with vibrant purples, reds, blues, and yellows. Also our allergies were in full swing (yeah). We unfortunately parted ways with our more than special flatmate James. He decided to head back to England. He managed to conveniently leave right before the England USA match, so I did not get an opportunity to rub in the draw. Nonetheless, the month was a fun one with travels, visitors, work, art exhibitions, poetry readings, and glorious beach days. June was right in front of us and more exciting travels were to come. Enjoy, I know we did.

The art space across the street from our house where Melissa volunteered espaço alkantara

Jardim Basilica

Santo Condestável

Largo das Necessidades

A performance by Berlin

On the Rio Tejo

Belem at sunset

A cute big stinky dog

On the road to Parliament

A poetry reading in the Alfama

James on his last night in Lisboa

Church in the Alfama

James and Melissa in the Alfama

The moon in the Praça do Comércio

Kids doing Capoeira on the beach in Cascais

Dance party at Alkantera

Brazilian hip hoppers at Alkantera

Mapes

Well Mamma and Pappa Mapes took a flight over the entire US and Atlantic Ocean and landed safely after something like 16 hours of travel. Melissa and I landed from England three hours later than their flight . We were very excited and eagerly awaiting our first planned guests (no offense Andy and Melissa). As eager as Mel and I were, we were sure Laurie and Jon were doubly excited. This was to be the christening of Laurie's new passport and her first time off good old USofA soil. We could hear it in their voices, they could barely hold back the enthusiasm. It was awesome to see their faces and get hugs from family. Being away from family and friends for extended periods of time can put a great strain on you. It was refreshing and comforting to see them. They insisted on letting us just lead them around and do what we wanted to do.

During our time here, as many of you have seen and read, we have found places we love and frequent regularly. Places ranging from restaurants, sites, beaches, foods, and shops. Each place they appreciated to the max. It was fun watching them be astonished by the fountain around the corner from our house that was dated from the 16th century and was older than the US itself.

Every time I am around the Mapes I enjoy them more and more and I also appreciate Melissa more and more. I see how wonderful Jon and Laurie are and I know what wonderful clothe she is cut from. The two of the reek from intrigue, insight, and hard work. They are great molds to model oneself after and that is what Melissa is doing. She is a mixture of the determination of Laurie and the outspokenness/unabashedness of Jon. Just the right amount to keep me in check and keep me going.

Their trip was a success and I look forward to more trips with them in the future. Enjoy!