European Adventure Part X: Day 1
Here we go! It’s time for another adventure. It’s been awhile since I’ve traveled by myself and explored a new place. Sure, I’ve been able to the UK and explored new towns and places in the last few years but a new country, and new language?! It’s been almost a decade. For this adventure I’m headed to Lisbon, Portugal, Rome, Italy, London (of course), and back to Bath. This time in Bath I’m going to be there for three days instead of three hours - I can’t wait! So come on! Let’s get this adventure started.
TIME TO BOARD
It was a long work day trying to get everything done before heading out of the office for two weeks. So much work goes into leaving, it’s kind of crazy. After the work day was over, my Mom came over to help me get the birds to her place. Her, Nick, and I hung out for a minute before they dropped me off at Dulles. Finally sitting there with a glass of wine, I was able to start relaxing a little bit and think about the fact that I was headed out on another adventure.
The flight was a little bumpy, but I passed out, ready to rest up for an adventure.
HELLO LONDON - FOR TWO HOURS
I was a little nervous about getting into Heathrow for my layover to Lisbon because airport security was striking. While two hours is usually plenty of time when you don’t have to change terminals, I was worried about cutting things close. I also hadn’t transferred through Heathrow since Brexit, and more people are required to go through the Border than before. I needn’t have worried though! While the humanity in the airport was *overwhelming* things were moving pretty quickly. When I got through security, I wanted to go to one of my Terminal 5 favs Plane Food, but the speed of service didn’t quite match up with how long my layover was. Instead I went to my second fav - Pret, and grabbed a sandwich. Soon I found myself soaring over the clouds, headed south to Portugal.
LISBOA!
I also passed out for much of the flight to Lisbon, and soon found myself looking outside at big puffy clouds that I always find so beautiful. I also often forget that flying through said clouds usually means things are going to get bumpy! Our landing had a bit more of a crash feeling than you’d hope for, but it didn’t matter - I was in Lisbon.
The place where I’m staying offered a car from the airport and I was happy to take it. I was driven into central Lisbon by the wonderful Bruno. In addition to an easy and quick ride, he also gave me several wonderful tips:
Beware of the sidewalks when it rains, they are more slippery than ice. Considering I bit it on the sidewalk in Amsterdam when it was bone dry, I took this one to heart
The famous Tram 28 is well worth it, but if it’s too busy, take Tram 12 instead. Similar views, fewer people
Don’t pay for just the ride on the tram, instead get a day pass for public transportation in the city. More bang for your euro. Side note: is there slang for the Euro??? At home we call dollars “bucks” and in Britain they call pounds “quid” I have no idea, just curious
I must eat a lot of fish - their famous cod, and fresh fish
I feel like I got more information from Bruno in our 25 minute ride from the airport than I will in the walking tour tomorrow…
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
After checking into my apartment hotel, I tried to shake the travel funk off me with a nice long shower. My apartment is nice and spacious, and I’ve got a full kitchen. They also bring you breakfast so I’ve got muesli, coffee, tea, yogurt, cheese, and jam already in the kitchen. Tomorrow morning they’ll deliver fresh warm bread.
Feeling so much better after a shower and some yogurt and muesli for a snack, I walked a few blocks from my flat to the water. It was a balmy 69 degrees, and it was golden hour. What a wonderful way to greet the city. I sat there by the water for a minute and soaked it in.
I wandered around a bit more trying to find something delicious to eat but was a little overwhelmed by the options. Take out also doesn’t seem to be a big thing here - at least from full service restaurants. I finally found a poke place and took Bruno’s advice to heart and enjoyed some fresh fish. Now I’m sitting here at the dinner table in my kitchen so grateful for the day - with all its ups and downs, and so excited for the next two weeks.
UP NEXT: Walking tour! Crafting class! Classy dinner!