Notes from Lisbon

Saudade.

Running into the cute New Yorker from the Porto hostel.

“Would you like this complimentary fresh pesto?”

Praca do Comercio.

Turning around when you are headed toward the attraction to catch the view behind you.

The first time in two months that I regretted having a suitcase with wheels.

Fresh flower stands.

TimeOut Market.

Stopping for cookies and pastries to escape the rain.

Black and white tiled sidewalks.

Peach, yellow, and rust-colored buildings.

A lunch of appetizers, wine, and a good book.

Rainbow umbrellas shading Pink Street.

Chipped teal, green, and blue building tiles.

Green Street (Rua da Silva).

Trying on every single pair of sunglasses in the store.

Cafes tucked in along staircases.

City views from Jardim dos namorados.

Great Bougainvillea.

“Creativity takes courage.”

Cozy bookstores.

Red carnations in windows.

Triple bunk beds.

Arbequina olives.

More blue jacarandas and jade-colored fountains.

Reflecting on the past two months with a new hostel friend over dinner.

All my favorites for my last dinner – bruschetta, gnocchi, and tiramisu. 

Trying on every single pair of sunglasses in the store.

Catching the golden early morning sunlight and a city still asleep on the way to the airport.

One last pastel de nata and cappuccino at the airport.

Yellow trams.

Looking forward to going home and being thankful for having people to miss.

The feeling of “wow, I did that” and wondering how you’ll ever be able to capture and tell this story.