micetrail

Timeline: May 11 – May 12

Continuing the saga of a Year of Living Lazily (YoLL), I’ve made my way to Barcelona where I’m to meet up with my buddy Mary who has managed to use her “old” travel benefits from the airline and get us a berth on the Seabourne Odyssey for a “7-DAY Romantic Riviera Cruise”.

Now mind you, we are not romantically involved, but what the hey! We do act like an old married couple. Not to say we’re old, of course…just putting on an act. We have a lot of fun criticizing each other and, as it turns out, everyone we see on the cruise. Lots of laughs ensuing. I say, “let’s go this way”…and she says “no, let’s go this other way”. Somehow or other it works out. (I usually give in, but don’t ask her because she’ll disagree.)

Barcelona entertained us with good food, our stay in the Gòtic center (read “old”), and getting lost several times. The Picasso Museum was worthwhile as was the visit to the Gaudi (gaudy) designed house.

You looking at Me?Yes, those are fishing poles with diamond ring bait…theme obviously is LOVE We had good luck with the weather and, other than the 5’10” ceilings at our airbnb, causing a few banged heads, the stay was a success.

Now after a night of sailing, we’re docked in Mahon on the Isle of Minorca. Such a sweet town with a wonderful fish market, the usual churches, and houses built into the rock. There’s a gin factory just down the road from the port where you can sample about 26 “species” of gin. I have hope of giving it a try before we leave…but will need a porter to return me to the ship.

Heading off to Palamos tonight….our last stop in Spain.

So much to see…so little time. On the first leg of my vagabond year, I’m headed to the Central Coast of California: Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Valley and Arroyo Grande via San Luis Obispo. Lucky person that I am, I’ve been able to beg a room from a few friends.

Today I managed to visit the La Purisima Mission in…Purisima. Based on several other Missions I’ve seen in California including Mission Dolores, Mission San Luis Obispo, Mission San Diego,Mission Santa Ynez, San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Batista, the one in Purisima is the most authentic. A wonderful self-guided tour is assisted by plaques explaining the history, the use of the various rooms, the artifacts, and the art. Purisima is one of the more complete Missions in its restoration.

The setting is beautiful and bucolic. There are several hiking trails beginning at the Mission. Day Parking is $6.00.

If you’re headed down (or up) the coast of California, don’t miss La Purisima.

First stop on my year’s long journey: Carmel Valley. A rustic cabin along the Carmel River (stream) and very quiet. It was quite a winding road of 22 miles and 45 minutes from Carmel where I just had to stop for a wine tasting. It made the road trip a little more exciting.

It’s extremely quiet here and Marcia, my Airbnb host, was lovely. She has 3 small cabins available but tonight it’s just me. Not a damn thing to do except light the wood stove, walk down to the river and read…and drink more wine 🍷.

No 📺 but WiFi, so I’m not out of the loop totally and unfortunately.

Next stop, Arroyo Grande, then back North to Monterey. After that I’ll be heading to Europe where I hope to spend the rest of the year. Who knows? I’ve just got my carpetbag and heading for parts unknown. Fulfilling a wish.

I just can’t stay away from this place. I’d have to say that Lisbon is now my second home and I’m Lovin’ it. My new home away from home is in the Bairro Alto area of Lisbon. Night life, fado and restaurants abound.

I just had a beautiful salmon and risotto lunch with the ubiquitous glass of wine. I would say it’s difficult to have a bad meal here. And today is no exception. The salmon is seasoned and cooked to perfection and topped with sesame and poppy seeds while the mushroom risotto is aldente and fabulous. (20 Euros total!!) The restaurant, Stasha, is just off of Camoes square on Rua da Gravoes. Just 4 minutes from my new home. A single ham hock hangs in the Center of the room. Only about 35 seats. Excellent wine choices and good service. I could get used to this.

I’ve had a whirlwind week (or almost a week). However even with all the forms to be signed and people to coordinate, it’s worked quite well. (My new home that is). Of course I’ve had some fabulous help with my avocado 🥑Manuel. It’s actually advogado (lawyer) but I couldn’t resist.

There are some excellent museums here. Many of them cover the history of Lisbon in some way or other and, of course, there are lots or religiously-themed museums. But almost everywhere you turn there’s a small museum of some sort to examine.

I’m working on making a few friends. So far, four. Housewarming 🎉 party in the making.

OK, so they say to be sure to bring your Yellow Fever Certificate or you will not be permitted to enter the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo…formerly Zaire). The first step in crossing the border is to toss your Yellow Card into a booth at the entrance to customs where evidently they will be checked by two agents and recorded. 

The next step is to go to the passport control where they will check your visas and give your passport the DRC stamp. 

Then back to the booth to pick up your Yellow immunization card. Oh wait, they seem to have put mine aside. I attempt to retrieve it but am motioned inside. One of the Canadian couple also has some issue with his card and is called inside. 

After much haranguing the agent points to one page of my Yellow Card where I haven’t filled in my name. After pleading with her that it is truly my card and my name is on all the other pages she will have none of it. 

Finally the light goes on. She wants some baksheesh. Now, being by smiley agreeable self I ask her how can we solve this. She says money, suddenly speaking English quite well. I say how much. She says $20. I say how about $15 and pull out a tenner and five one dollar bills. She say she can’t take dollar bills. I pull out a fiver and she proceeds to fill out the blank space on my Yellow Card even though it’s me who should be doing that. Guess she feels she needs to do something for the $15. She hands my card back and I sign that page with my hand shaking trying to hold my temper and keeping my little smiley face on until she gives me back my Yellow Card and passport. (At the outgoing border they will probably say that’s not my signature). 

So this is just a border scam that everyone is in on. I think that even if I had added my name on that one page, they would have found something else wrong.  I was thinking of asking for her manager but he was snoring in the next office with his feet on the desk. I’m not sure how they divide the spoils but at $15-$20 per couple entering it must help their paltry salaries. I just wish they had said up front they wanted some money and it would have saved a lot of time and ill feeling. 

Anyway, I’ve renamed the whole kit and kaboodle the “Unwelcoming Committee”. I have to say it was a small price to pay to get here and see the fabulous highland gorillas. 

Just have your $20 ready!

I’ve been here in Lisbon for over 2 months and am getting the hang of things…or really just hanging out. My initial fascination with this city happened when I was 19 (a very good year) and traveling Europe with my then boyfriend in our VW camper (not diesel 🙃). I remembered the beautiful rendered mosaic sidewalks and the casualness of the city on the Tagus. So here I am again on my 3rd trip and still enjoying the lifestyle, people, and the casual everyday goings-on. 

My intention this time was to find a pied-a-terre where I could bide my time over the next few years.  I haven’t changed my mind but it’s been a bit of a challenge to find the right place at a price I can afford.  I think I’m close however. 

Lisbon is a lovely city and extremely welcoming to everyone. I don’t think you can find a more diverse city without prejudice.  In every little neighborhood parque one has a kiosk serving sandwiches or hamburguers, beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc. from about 10AM to 2AM (not a typo).  Today, sitting, at my local parque and having a Burger and fries, the neighborhood homeless person came around the tables asking for handouts. At one table, the three young people gave him their fries and the server provided him with a coffee and a container for the fries.  I didn’t see anyone  give him money but I wouldn’t rule it out. 

I’ve had some friends visit and was introduced to a very nice woman who invites me to go to the movies and outings from time to time with some of her friends.  Although I’m generally a loner this has been a welcome interlude. It’s just another example of the friendliness and openness of the Portugese. Now, I don’t speak the language and, for the most part, it hasn’t been a problem as everyone seems to have more than a smattering of English.  But shame on me…I need to get cracking on my language lessons. 

One of the benefits of Portugal, I find, is that is set on the extreme edge of the Iberian Peninsula and seems to be somewhat immune to European problems.  It’s also a great jumping off place for European or African journies. The prices are reasonable, the politics seem stable but maybe too liberal and socialistic for my more conservative friends; people are relaxed and non-judgmental and spend an inordinate amount of time at cafes having coffee and pastries. But not a lot of fattys because the hills. will take it all off. 

Saturday is relaxing day and one of seven card-playing days for the ol’ guys in the parque.  Lots to see, places to go…and the good life.  Come visit!

http://flip.it/RBNnm1

Well it happened.  Now, I understand how you could possibly drop your phone in the toilet if you’re standing, facing it. But really, how could it happen when you’re a girly-girl and facing the other way. I will tell you.  Putting your phone in a back pocket is not a good idea, especially if it’s not a normal placement for you.  Dropping trou and forgetting that you’ve got the precious item in your back pocket is definitely a no-no. Now, what to do?  

After no more than 3 seconds, I reached down and pulled “precious” out of the water. I started drying it but there was a back cover on it which retained some of the H2O and most likely made it worse.  The flash started flashing, the phone got too hot to touch and all sorts of dying noises came from my baby. All I could think of is “can I function”? Now, what I didn’t mention is that I’m traveling and in Lisbon. Trying to function like a normal person, I continued my day and had to resort to a “real” map which luckily I had with me. 

I recalled that I had seen an apple dealer in my travels and made my way there. They directed me to an authorized repair shop who told me it would take about 5 days to get a replacement. I was very lucky in that I had brought my iPad, so at least I could communicate. I did realize that I hadn’t backed up my phone recently, so I’m unsure how much data I will lose. I immediately backed up my iPad to iCloud when I go back to my apt that day. 

So, I found out I could function without my precious. Really, you can too. Just remember to back up all your stuff  before you travel and bring two devices if at all possible. And don’t put your phone in your back pocket…EVER. I hope I’ve learned my lesson. On the bright side, I’m doing a lot more communicating to “live” peeps and reading real books, just like the olden days. It’s rather pleasant to be away from the newsfeeds for awhile. Happy travels. 

Airports are a microcosm of the world it seems. Frustrated travelers abound – sleepers on the floor, tired heads on folded arms, exhausted father wondering if their kid wants them to stick all the purchased food items up his culo. Kids pouting, crying, people waiting, waiting, waiting. The ubiquitous luxury shops, Starbucks, electronic shops, luggage stores…I mean who wants to purchase luggage in transit? I guess someone does.

Heading via Istanbul to Lisbon with a long layover. I recommend the TAV airport hotel that has one entrance in the international departure lounge obviating any need to head out through customs. I managed to get a good rest in a very serviceable hotel…quiet and clean. I still don't understand the fascination with Starbucks coffee especially when you can get excellent Turkish coffee…just familiar I guess.