Portugal: PortuGREAT.

I decided to break up my Fall break posts into countries, as to not compose a single novel of a post! So here we go!


After 6 days in Spain, Katie, Christian and I met up with Katie and Christian's other housemate David in Lisbon Portugal for a few days! As soon as we got off the plane and stepped into the warm sunshine, we knew we were going to love this incredible place! Now for a summary of Lisbon through observations :)

• Our hostel was one of the greatest I've ever been in, Alfama Patio Hostel, located in the Alfama disstrict of Lisbon, the oldest within the city.  The staff was incredible, and had events for us within the city every night, along with free breakfast with crepes EVERY morning! It has a modern eclectic feel, and truly felt like home. If anyone is ever in Lisbon, you MUST check it out: Alfama Patio Hostel
• There was SO much history and culture crammed into the tiny winding streets of Alfama, and Lisbon in general, it was breathtaking and beautiful. 
• Our first night there, we checked out some Fado clubs with our hostel group. Fado is a Portuguese style of Flamenco like music that has so much feeling and beauty, it's incredible. If you get a chance, check out some Fado on Youtube, it's a beautiful thing.
• Boys vs. Girls: Friday, Katie and I had a beach day, our vacation within a vacation if you will, complete with a pitcher of white sangria, seafood, checking out some beautiful surfers, oh and getting our tan on :) all while the boys, Christian & David, went on some sort of hiking/castle exploring adventure on the outskirts of Lisbon. 
• Our second night we went out again with our hostel group to a bar/club with live music.  The band playing was unlike anything I've ever heard, they cover TV and movie themes like Ren & Stimpy, The Godfather, Life of Bryan, & The Muppet Movie! SO much fun!! AND the singer also played the hand saw. Yes, a hand saw, with a bow.
• There was graffiti and urban art all over the city, I found it strangely beautiful, I think because for the most part, it wasn't mindless gang names and tags, but political statements or works of art.  Although sometime it kind of ruined the architectural beauty of some of the older buildings.
• The Modern Art Museum in Lisbon was incredible, and had an Andy Warhol exhibit which I absolutely adored, made it all worth it being the only museum I went to the entire trip!

Now: Lisbon, in pictures!

Beautiful Archway

Alfama <3

Beach day!

White Sangria... By the pitcher!

Posing with the graffiti about Belgium of course!

View from the Hostel Terrace!

Breakfast on the Terrace!

David and a guard on the way to the Modern Art Museum

Lisbon from a church on the hill, and their bridge that's a splitting image of the Golden Gate!

Portugal is another country on my list that I'd love to explore in more detail, so much history and culture!