Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is one of the busiest ports in Europe. Our maritime approach up the Rio Tejo river took us under a suspension bridge (that very much resembles the San Francisco Bay Bridge) to the “24^th of April" port (that’s really its name, referring to Portugal’s independence). The cruise ship dock area is filled with modern shops,
restaurants and bars.

The bus that was scheduled to take us into the heart of the city – about five kilometers away – stopped short by a kilometer because they were afraid of potential radical demonstration activity near there. It was after all, April 24. Sissies. As it turns out, the walking tour we had planned out for ourselves took us directly through where the commotion was expected. We decided to take a look.

It is highly unfortunate that the overall psyche of Lisbon during the economic crises (I suspect before as well, but perhaps not as much) has allowed there to be graffiti plastered over nearly every paintable surface in sight.  The city could use a serious dose of high pressure washing too. But there were lots of narrow alleyways, plazas and high vantage points throughout the city to discover so we noted the degradation and continued on.

Lisbon topography resembles San Francisco with its steep hills as much as the suspension bridge does, however the city has a very interesting approach to navigating the hills. There are public and private outside elevators dotted throughout downtown that take you up or down a hundred feet or so. When traveling with Eileen… you take the stairs.

The 150’ elevator pictured, the Elevador de Santa Justa, was designed by one of Gustav Eiffel’s (of Paris’ Eiffel Tower fame) students. It’s certainly period-specific with its Neo-Gothic motifs in the ornate iron work, but it continues in operation daily since it was completed in 1902.

Electric trolleys and funiculars are still used to get around the center city because in many areas they’re the only transportation that can navigate the narrow streets and hills. The originals built in the 1920’s were all made in America so many older residents continue to call them Americanos.

Ah yes, the demonstration! As things turned out it amounted to a peaceful march up a wide boulevard between major squares. The radicals stayed home. The folk singers sounded a number of Joan Baez type anthems and that was about it. Eileen and I decided we were parched and settled into a sidewalk café for a couple of drafts. A 16 oz. pint was two Euros by the way, about $2.60, including tip.