It felt like all we were doing the first few days was shopping. Well, being jet-lagged and shopping. We didn’t do much the first day we arrived, Thursday. We landed around 10:30 and arrived at the condo around 2pm. We quickly ran to the closest store to get food for dinner and breakfast. The rest of the day, napping, and enjoying the balcony. I’d brought everything we’d need for the first day from sheets to towels to basic kitchen items. I knew from past trips that we’d be exhausted from the overnight flight. Gone are the days I can sleep the whole way and be ready to go when we land.
Friday was the longest shopping day of my life. It started with getting sim cards and home internet. e-SIMs have made travel a lot easier. We’re able to purchase and download it at home, so it’s ready to use right after we land. No longer do we need to stand in line at an airport kiosk or find a store in town, nor do we have to remove our US SIM. Luckily, we could do e-sims for our Portuguese numbers as well. We got the bundle–TV, internet, home phone, and mobiles. Yes, we have a landline. I haven’t had one since Cauby Street in San Diego, when I was still in the Navy! But, international calling is free after 9pm, so that’s a plus. Just have to buy a phone.
After our visit to MEO, the service provider we chose, and eating lunch, we began the afternoon of marathon shopping. There is an Auchan (think small French Walmart) in the same mall as the MEO, so that’s where we started. We had to do 2 trips to the car with a full cart. It’s impressive what you have to buy when you start fresh, with only 8 bags of possessions. We need things like plates, silverware, cleaning stuff, a TV, things for my work setup, comforter, etc.
What we didn’t find at Auchan was a mattress topper–something we sorely (pun intended) needed to sleep that night. So, we headed to the local Leroy Merlin, hardware store. They showed one online, but we didn’t find it at the store. We did pick up a few tools to have handy in the condo. We tried the Continente next door, it’s similar to an Auchan but more focused on groceries and a few houseware items. There’s a Worten in the same building, and they happened to have the topper we needed! I didn’t think to get a photo after I fit it in that already packed car. But I managed it! Back to the condo to unload and unwind.
We spent the next day at the condo putting things away and then taking a walk along the beach. We did need to get a few more things–we had the car rental through Sunday to give us time to do a few errands. We ran into our realtor Vitor at a cafe. He was on his coffee break, so he sat with us a bit. We made plans to meet him and Gina to watch the Benfica match Sunday evening.
Vitor told us that the reason there is so much distance between the road and the water is that breakwaters have been built at the mouth of the Mondego River for shipping. Where we sat at the cafe had been where the beach and marinas once were. Those structures dried up sections along the coast of the city, creating what looks like a flat dunescape–i.e. without the dunes. The city has added boardwalks, seating areas, and sport courts. Mostly football (soccer), but I hear there are volleyball courts somewhere. Just have to find them…
Sunday was travel day to return the car back to Lisbon. We took the train back, and Vitor was nice enough to pick us up. We enjoy his company, and he and Ben are becoming friends. Vitor is a Benfica fan, but Ben chose Porto as his club of choice. So they developed a genial rivalry over this season. Gina is working to convince me to come to the Benfica side, but I may just have to be the dark horse and pick Sporting or the local team in Coimbra.
Above is the train station in Lisbon. We had one connection, taking a fairly empty train to Figueira. Interesting color scheme…
After the match and dinner, Vitor showed us around the city. He said he does it with all his out-of-town clients, but we didn’t have time when we met him in December. He’s been in Figueira for a while and knows the town well. They also took us north to the Praia Quiaios (kwai-osh). It was a beautiful drive. If you visit, we’ll take a trip over the mountain.
The photo below shows the city of Figueira da Foz. I’ll have to check out some sunrises here.
We came home to a spectacle along the beach road. Apparently someone hit a light pole. I have found that the Portuguese like to stop and watch anything out of the ordinary. A German Shepherd barking at another dog–we all stop to watch. A speeding car–heads turn in unison. Tall lady definitely not Portuguese running by you, this requires a second look. So you can imagine that this incident had gathered a crowd, even at this quiet end of town. Ben went down to get a better look; I was too tired.
The light pole stayed up until morning, when a crew cut it down. An interesting end to a long day. Monday will be a rest day.
Ben and Megan Travel the World 