Showing posts with label Lisbon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lisbon. Show all posts
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Lisbon, Portugal & Comparison for Joy
Nanncy, Stella and I just spent a happy summer weekend exploring Lisbon, Portugal. While this was my third time in the city, it was both Nanncy and Stella's first time. We each have quite chilled out personalities (I am definitely the most high maintenance of the three), so they were happy to go along with doing whatever. Since they were busy with work and school, I decided to come up with a rough itinerary of things to do during our three day escapade. We ate, we laughed, we wondered the streets at 7am. Lisbon is truly such a beautiful city, and I feel like it was only this time, on my third trip to the city, that I truly appreciated all it had to offer.
After spending six weeks in Morocco, having a lot of time to myself as I'm currently not working, it felt so good to stretch my legs and wander again in a foreign city. This striking comparison between being at home and travelling intensely for three days reminded me of why I fell in love with travelling in the first place. It's the beauty of being present, of having your time be yours, of feeling like everything is possible and within reach, of having food be such an intentional choice and most importantly, for finding the joy in every single moment.
They say comparison is the thief of joy. But I really believe comparison is what allows us to realise what we do and don't want. For there is abundance for everyone in this world. We only need to choose what abundance we desire.
Friday, June 08, 2018
Lisbon, Portugal & The Ugly Truth of Travel
After Marrakech, our next destination was Lisbon, Portugal. Europe's underdog, as it is labelled now as the 'most underrated city'. I can understand why - it's one of the most picturesque and colourful cities I have been to, and each building has it's own flair that made me think of what the decision maker was experiencing at the time, to publish their feelings on an entire building to make up the beauty of Lisbon.
It's also super cheap compared to other main cities like Paris (or Nice, where I am currently... and starving) and has so much to do and see.. including a short trip to the most Western point of Europe.
But you know what is lacking from the guidebooks and recommendation lists for this whimsical destination?
A sweat towel.
Man, Lisbon has as many steep hills as they do Pastel de Natas. In some cases, it almost feels like a vertical climb. When you travel like me, there are two important aspects to note: a) We want to see as much as we can with our own eyes and really feel the city. For this, we travel on foot. And b) We are also looking to save every cent so Ubers and taxis are a no-go zone.
It made me think of all the beautiful women on Instagram taking photos with the colourful buildings, in their dressed-to-the-nines ensembles and unrealistic shoes and thinking "HOW?" It's freezing in the morning, striking hot at midday and you're a sweaty MESS of a human by the end of the day.
But I also think that's something I love about travel. The love for exploring overrides the pressure of looking a certain way and pretending you have your shit together. Travel is messy, sweaty, late, tiring, hangry, budgeting and feeling like an elephant exploring the streets of a new city as you consume everything in sight in no less than two bites. You give in the expectations of how you should be and completely submit yourself to the wonderful miracle of seeing the world as a child again.
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