Lisbon’s a Blur: Rain, Pastel Buildings, and Seriously Strong Coffee
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and the sheer force of will. i landed in lisbon yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, chaotic, slightly damp lot. the air smells like salt and something vaguely floral, maybe jasmine? i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 82% humidity, feels like 6.06 - that’s a legit sauna, folks. the pressure’s at 1012, which is… fine, i guess? i’m aiming for 929, but the altitude’s playing games.
my flight was delayed, naturally. of course. and then i spent an hour wrestling my ridiculously oversized backpack onto the train. it’s a beast, this bag. i swear it has a mind of its own. i’m pretty sure it’s judging me.
first things first: coffee. i needed it. desperately. i stumbled into this tiny place near the *Alfama district - it was called ‘O Boticário’ - and the guy behind the counter, he just knew. black, strong, no sugar. he looked at me like i was a lost puppy and just… delivered. someone told me that the best pastel de nata are at Pastéis de Belém, but honestly, i’m not sure i can handle that much sweetness right now. i’m operating on a purely caffeine-fueled level.
i spent the afternoon wandering around, mostly getting lost. which, let’s be real, is my specialty. the streets are ridiculously narrow, all winding and cobbled. it’s like a maze designed by a particularly enthusiastic squirrel. i found this amazing little shop selling vintage port glasses - seriously, the selection was insane. i almost bought a whole crate. almost.
i overheard some guys at a bar near the Praça do Comércio talking about a secret rooftop bar - ‘A Brasileira’ - that only locals know about. they said it’s amazing views, but you have to be invited. i’m adding that to the list. i’m also adding ‘learn Portuguese’ to the list. and ‘get more sleep’ to the list.
Someone told me that the best way to see Lisbon is to just get lost. Apparently, you stumble upon the best things that way. I’m pretty sure I’m already doing that.
i’m staying in this Airbnb in Bairro Alto. it’s… charming. in a slightly dilapidated, wonderfully weird way. the neighbors are a mix of artists, musicians, and people who look like they’ve spent the last decade perfecting the art of looking effortlessly cool. if you get bored, Cascais are just a short drive away.
i’m trying to capture the vibe of this place with my camera, but it’s hard. it’s just… saturated. everything is bright and colorful and slightly overwhelming. i’m thinking of focusing on the textures - the rough stone walls, the faded tiles, the worn leather of the old shoes people are wearing.
i heard that the seafood is incredible here. i’m planning on hitting up a restaurant in Cais do Sodré tonight. i’m also hoping to catch some live fado music. i’m not entirely sure what to expect, but i’m open to anything at this point.
i’m seriously considering buying a ridiculously oversized hat. it feels like the appropriate accessory for this city. and maybe a beret. definitely a beret.
i’m linking some useful stuff down below:
TripAdvisor - Lisbon
Yelp - Lisbon Restaurants
Official Lisbon Tourism Website
okay, i’m going to go find another coffee. and maybe that rooftop bar. wish me luck. and send caffeine. seriously.
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