Pshhh

Oh yeah I forgot to mention this, apparently I look really Portuguese. So far everyone thinks I am and talks to me in really fast blurred Portuguese and all they get in return is a blank stare and, "english?" Tonight at Starbucks (yeahhhhh. I went there.) I was moving around chairs to fit for everyone, and these two old men are sitting at the next table and one starts talking to me in Portuguese, really smiley and nice. Not creepy, like a grandpa saying something funny to you. I smiled and nodded, he kept talking, and then he asked me a question and I was like "uhhhh I speak english sorry! I'm learning portuguese!" and he goes... "no portuguesa?!!!"

Then he "psh's" and rolls his eyes and totally loses his cuteness. He waved his hand at me like go away. Not because I was acting like I knew what he was saying before, but because I don't speak Portuguese. I was SOOOOOOO angry. Not a good experience. Whatever, some are stuck in their ways.

I'm A Lot Like You

Madeira BOOKED!

Poor image quality due to google search.

So excited, our group just booked our flight to the island of Madeira.

Can't wait to be laying in the sun ;)

Everything is going really well here so far. Our excursion to Sintra, nights at Bairro Alto and it's getting warmer. We're going to see Gui Borratto (a DJ) at this club, Lux, thursday night. Lux is apparently impossible to get into, they turn people down left and right---- I'm excited to see what all the hype is about. First Portuguese quiz tomorrow on verbs, Estou feliz :)

To: SINTRA

Queijadas de Oeiras... the best pastry ever filled with a custard and almond paste wrapped in filo dough topped in sugar. Ahhhh.

Quinta da Regaleira

Leda's Cave

view from the bottom of Leda's Cave

view from the Turret of the castle.

Portuguese stufff

T'was a beautfiul day!! Amazing village in Portugal. :)

Where I Live!

Photos of my beautiful homestay! Will post some of my hosts too :)

Bon Appétit

The food here is SO freakin' good. Well, not the squid or the octopus - haven't tried that. But the pastries and cheese and croquettes. Yes. Good thing I joined a gym. Kristen and I cooked our first meal in Lisbon tonight, we went down the street to the local meat and cheese market, then the vegetable stand and of course the pastry shop. I love that about Lisbon, or living in a city in general, the fresh locally owned groceries. The people were so nice it was amazing, I pulled out my pocket Portuguese phrase book at the meat and cheese market, but the nicest woman ever helped us out and got us samples of chorizo. I would have taken a photo in here, but I don't think there's any way to make raw meat look appetizing - no matter the photoshop or camera. Then at the pastry shop we got some samples again, pretty sure the guy remembered Kristen from the day before! Obrigada. :)

I do think it's hit or miss with the people here though, how they act toward Americans. Some people are so nice and welcoming and smiley that it's cute. Others, typically the older but not always, kind of stare at you in dismay that you're not speaking Portuguese fluently and roll their eyes. This is a small percentage, but I wasn't really expecting it.
The good outweighs the bad.

We put some fresh cheese (so upset I forgot the name), chorizo and sliced tomatoes on a cracker - then sautéed a bunch of vegetables with pasta underneath, and the pastries (which I have not got an adequate shot of yet... soon*) and the vino.  Cheers!

Downtown

Finally some photos! Lisbon is definitely an underrated city when it comes to European cities. Everyone asked me, "why are you going to lisbon?!" and .. This is why. It's so beautiful, the people are so nice and I would love to be fluent in Portuguese - someday! Of course I think that almost every European city is incredibly beautiful and has it's own vibe to it - but I'm happy that this is the city I chose to spend my 4 months in. Plus -- I've met great people so far. Yayyy

Finally!

Finally... here! And finally... internet! Arrival in Lisbon, Portugal was not bad at all - compared to others who had messy flights, mine was 7 hours direct and I met two girls on the flight. One from Chicago and one from the Bronx- they're cool :) We stayed at this quaint hotel first with the entire study abroad group (16 girls and only 3 guys!) and I'm pretty sure we were the only ones in the hotel. We learned how to use the public transportation - which is a must in this city, somewhat like New York except less crowded and smaller and cobblestones. It's beautiful. I'm liking everything that's happening so far. The food is fantastic, although I must join a gym, it's carbs / cheese / fish / meat. I thought there'd be more vegetables but not so much. I also had my first bite of a cooked chessnut today which is very popular here, it was delicious! After 3 days in a hotel full of students, I am finally in my homestay. I'm very happy with this arrangement - single mom with 3 daughters all around my age and really hip/ cool. The mom is an instructor at the gym and really hip as well. I have my own room and bathroom --- YES! We're going down to the bars tonight, our whole group, the bar area is called Bairro Alto. The drinking age is 16 and you are allowed to drink openly out of a bottle in the street. We bought wine and the salesperson uncorked it + gave us cups. Haha. My only complaint so far = they don't have heat inside. It's in the 50s but Freeeeeeeezing!!! Otherwise - first few days have been interesting, beautiful and awesome.

love :)

Leaving In 6 Days

Hello!! So this is my second blog. Specifically dedicated to my adventures throughout Portugal (and excursions throughout Europe). It will be my online diary and photo journal. I hope you enjoy and are excited to follow me on my Portuguese Encounters. For now, because I am SO excited, I was just looking through weheartit and these photos made me really happy. :)

How beautiful!! --Once I arrive, all photos will be my very own :)

Come on, follow me through Portugal.