Meltdowns and Ginja.
I arrive at dawn at Lisbon Oriente, the architecture is incredible bathed in the early morning light and then I take the train back to Sintra. I'd texted the host a few times and heard nothing so was a bit concerned but hopeful. It was a long walk up the hill and when I got there, I rang the woman and she says she can't take my bags because she's doing breakfast and plus she didn't know what time I was coming. I told her I'd let her know in numerous texts and then I burst into tears. Where that came from I've no idea...menopause or the sleepless train ride? She came to the gate grudgingly, looked at me, took my bags and told me to come back at eleven instead of 3. I must have looked frazzled.
Coffee with a dash of spirits would have been in order. Most of the time I have settled in easily to this gypsy way of living but for some reason, today I was a bit fragile. It happens. I made it to a cafe, had sugar and a hit of caffeine and soldiered on until 11 and then collapsed.
The next morning, the hostess said she liked to seat people together so they could get to know each other. This could work if you had people who actually wanted to be apart of that sort of meet and greet. The lady and I who were placed face to face weren't that impressed. We tried to make general conversation which settled on climate change. She was from Germany and she said the melting glaziers in Scandinavia were changing the wind patterns which lead to the seas in her area no being cleaned so she had started to come to Portugal and Spain for the summer and then the conversation petered out. I am one of those humans that need to be alone at breakfast, quietly allowing caffeine to filter through my bloodstream before I can communicate with another human. I wasn't at my friendliest and I think she had a bit of me in her as well. I think we were both glad to eat and run.
Love the street names!
I had a few hours before the daughter arrived so I decided to go to the beach, Praia das Macas. The trip was short and windy and not greatly exciting so I returned to wait for the daughter and her friends. They took me back to their apartment and convinced me to stay with them. I didn't need much persuasion as I was already concerned that my morning ritual would be taken from me yet again. I returned to gather my belongings and explain my leave taking.
That night we celebrated the daughter's birthday at my favourite tapas bar, Tarascaniga. We ate, drank and were merry and then looked for another place to be even merrier and eventually we did find one. Brandy Alexander was on the list, an oldie but a goody and the birthday proceedings were done.
The next day, I directed the daughter and co. to go to the places I went last time and I went to Cascais, a lovely beachside town of arts and crafts and an old lighthouse.
I wandered along the harbour of this lovely old fishing town, passed stunning street art and the beautification by tiles.
Then went to Casa de Santa Maria with stunning 17th century tilework, walking past the symbol of Portugal, the magnificently plumed rooster.
We dined at Romania Baca restaurant on potato, seafood and garlic stew which was wonderful and ended the evening at the Ginga place, consuming the sweet cherry wine in little chocolate cups and then tomorrow we were off to Lisbon which is where I was going to get the plane to Morocco! So excited.
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