We started our trip Friday afternoon right after our class was dismissed. We rushed to Charles de Gaulle airport, only to be 2 hours ahead of schedule. European airports are similar to those in the United States, but they also have their differences. People arrive much less promptly, and the security is much more relaxed. I have certainly enjoyed my 3 jet-setting weekends it a row, but I am looking forward to spending the next two weekends here in the city of lights, Paris.
Our hostel was very clean and friendly. We had our own private room and bathroom, which makes it seem more like a hotel than a hostel. A basic breakfast was included in addition to free access to the internet just in case we needed a Facebook fix. We have not been getting the full hostel experience during our weekends because we have been staying in them for such short periods of times. Normally, hostel goers tend to get to know one another, if the time permits. On Friday evening, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe, as I mentioned in my previous post. It was great to just relax in an authentic American restaurant and to get away from the bustle of European culture. After dinner, we explored the Bairro Alto neighborhood. It is full of nightlife and restaurants, and we even tried a traditional Portugese/Brazilian cocktail called a Caipirinha (which tastes like lime, tequila, and sugar water). The basic Portuguese language is relatively easy to understand in written form with a knowledge of English and French; however, the spoken language is very different and difficult. At times, the accents and oral Portuguese could be very overwhelming in Lisbon.
After getting a pretty good night of sleep on Friday, we set out to see one of Lisbon's most popular tourist attractions: Castelo de São Jorge. This 12th-century castle was originally constructed by the Moors during the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, but the Portuguese royals made it their own during the following few centuries. To get to the castle on the hill, we took an 19th-century tram, which was very similar to New Orleans Street Cars. After getting off at the wrong stop (where we stumbled upon a beautiful church and the National Pantheon), we finally reached the top of the hill. However, we could not find the castle, a GIGANTIC structure, for the longest time. After sitting down for a Sagres (delicious Portugese beer), we finally started our trek around the hill before finally finding São Jorge. The ticket only cost 3.50 euros, and the views were absolutely spectacular. Other than observing the architecture of the castle, the location on top of the city's largest hill provided a lookout over the whole city, including the Cristo Rei statue (like the famous one in Brazil) and the 25 de Abril Bridge (which is the twin of the Golden Gate Bridge).
After a long day in the hot Portuguese sun, we took a break in the hostel before heading out to dinner. We went to a traditional Portuguese restaurant where I had beef with cream sauce and peppers. The food was delicious and inexpensive but very greasy and heavy. The prices in Lisbon where phenomenally reasonable, especially when compared to Paris. An entire 24-hour period on the metro costs only 4 euro, and beers were only 2 euro (you would be lucky to find the same in Paris for under 5 euro). Before calling it a night, we went on a pub crawl with some other hostel guests in the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Portuguese nightlife is crazy, like what many people think of the Spanish going out scene, and the Lisboners sure know how to go out for a long night.
Sunday was a bit of a struggle for us, as we were tired from the previous day in the sun and the long night in the night district. We spent most of the day traveling back to Paris via metro/bus/trains/planes, and I am very glad to be back in Paris for a breather. Unfortunately, it is incredibly hot in Paris also. Can someone on this continent please invest in an air conditioner? Anyways, back to class tomorrow and beginning to buckle down on work for the final two week stretch.
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