Saturday, February 6, 2010
"Laissez os bons tempos rouler": Comparing home and Europe- Part 1
With Mardi Gras starting today, the Saints going to the Super Bowl, and celebrating my 26th birthday on Tuesday, I found myself thinking about home a lot. Not that I miss it, per se, but I am a firm believer that you have to get away from a place for a while to really understand and and to realize what it is you love about it. One of the things I found surprising was that I find myself saying, "Oh, this reminds me of the South a lot" or "we do this at home, too." So, I just thought I'd share some of the similarities between Europe (mostly Libson) and South Louisiana (and New Orleans).
(below is a vew of the Alfama and the Castle)
Today's Topic: Time
1. The Perception of Time
Everyone's heard of 'Indian' time, 'Hawai'ian' time, 'Mexican' time, etc; basically, some of us just don't strictly abide by the man-made constraints of the little band we wear around our wrists and Portuguese are just the same. At law school in the US, I am frightened to walk into a class if I am 2 minutes late. Here, I walk into class 10 minutes late and have to wait another 5 minutes for the professor to show up. If you want a dinner party to start at 10:00, you should tell everyone 9:15 or 9:30. It is not seen as rude or disrespectful for peopel to show up late. Things just happen when people get there and it's not a huge problem. People stroll along the streets, taking their good ol' time; not the typical powerwalking you see in the states. I learned really early on to budget myself extra time for checking out, banks, etc.
(people enjoying coffee in the Largo do Chiado)
Timing is one thing I've had a problem with when moving from Louisiana to California and into the real world. Let's just say I'm not really known for being punctual. I remember going to Stanford and noticing that people were not just on time, but early for classes. At home, we never had a set time for anything, it was always just "I'll meet you there in a little while." 'A little while' ranging from 10 minutes to 2 hours. My dad always said we would have dinner at "dark-thirty"; since he worked outside, our lives revolved around the weather and amount of time he could work outside. When you check out at a grocery store, you can expect it to take a little while since you may be answering questions like "who's you mama, which bayou are you from, where did you go to school," etc; people are bound to make small talk and you'll probably find out you're related somewhere down the line. People walking around New Orleans seem to have no place important to go. Most of the time they don't and that's the best part about it.
People from Louisiana say "Laisse la bon tems rouler" which means "let the good times roll." Not, "let's make the good times happen right now", or "the good times will be at 10:00, if you are 5 minutes late, you'll miss it", just that it will happen on its own. Some people call us slow-moving or rude, but I just think we are a happy, chill, relaxed kind of people. While in Lisbon, I'm definitely embracing this part of the culture :)
Oh, and Geaux Saints!!!!
(below is a vew of the Alfama and the Castle)
(Today's Topic: Time
1. The Perception of Time
Everyone's heard of 'Indian' time, 'Hawai'ian' time, 'Mexican' time, etc; basically, some of us just don't strictly abide by the man-made constraints of the little band we wear around our wrists and Portuguese are just the same. At law school in the US, I am frightened to walk into a class if I am 2 minutes late. Here, I walk into class 10 minutes late and have to wait another 5 minutes for the professor to show up. If you want a dinner party to start at 10:00, you should tell everyone 9:15 or 9:30. It is not seen as rude or disrespectful for peopel to show up late. Things just happen when people get there and it's not a huge problem. People stroll along the streets, taking their good ol' time; not the typical powerwalking you see in the states. I learned really early on to budget myself extra time for checking out, banks, etc.
(people enjoying coffee in the Largo do Chiado)Timing is one thing I've had a problem with when moving from Louisiana to California and into the real world. Let's just say I'm not really known for being punctual. I remember going to Stanford and noticing that people were not just on time, but early for classes. At home, we never had a set time for anything, it was always just "I'll meet you there in a little while." 'A little while' ranging from 10 minutes to 2 hours. My dad always said we would have dinner at "dark-thirty"; since he worked outside, our lives revolved around the weather and amount of time he could work outside. When you check out at a grocery store, you can expect it to take a little while since you may be answering questions like "who's you mama, which bayou are you from, where did you go to school," etc; people are bound to make small talk and you'll probably find out you're related somewhere down the line. People walking around New Orleans seem to have no place important to go. Most of the time they don't and that's the best part about it.
People from Louisiana say "Laisse la bon tems rouler" which means "let the good times roll." Not, "let's make the good times happen right now", or "the good times will be at 10:00, if you are 5 minutes late, you'll miss it", just that it will happen on its own. Some people call us slow-moving or rude, but I just think we are a happy, chill, relaxed kind of people. While in Lisbon, I'm definitely embracing this part of the culture :)
Oh, and Geaux Saints!!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Exploring the Alfama
The Alfama is the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon. At one time, it was the most desirable place to live, located atop the same hill as the Castelo Sao Jorge, but people left for fear that it would be destroyed in an earthquake and poor fisherman and workers inhabited the area. Ironically, it is the one area that was left nearly untouched by the great earthquake of 1755. Today, it is still inhabited by the less wealthy populations, but holds onto the historical charm of the city.
The streets are narrow labrynths that take you up and down the hill. It feels as though you are in this intimate maze of people's homes. You often have to climb up narrow cobblestone stairs since the streets (ruas) and alleyways (travessas) are so steep. Laundry is often strung across the close buildings, drying in the gorgeous Lisbon sun.
Just when you feel like you are lost and have no idea if you should be going up or down, left or right, you stumble upon a gorgeous view (miradouro) or a peaceful bench under grapevines.
Of course, we had to have a little photoshoot :)
We finished off our exploration with some Super Bock at a small cafe in the Alfama. We didn't know the name of the place or even what we really ordered, but that's the charm of living abroad. With the sun shining bright on us, the beer and wine flowing and the city ours to explore, there's really no way you could go wrong.
The streets are narrow labrynths that take you up and down the hill. It feels as though you are in this intimate maze of people's homes. You often have to climb up narrow cobblestone stairs since the streets (ruas) and alleyways (travessas) are so steep. Laundry is often strung across the close buildings, drying in the gorgeous Lisbon sun.
Just when you feel like you are lost and have no idea if you should be going up or down, left or right, you stumble upon a gorgeous view (miradouro) or a peaceful bench under grapevines.
We set out to see the Sé and the Castle, but once we were wondering around, we just let our feet do the exploring and ventured down and up alleys on a whim most of the time just to see where we would wind up.
After trekking up for a while, we came upon this miradouro which provided a magnificent view of the red roofs of the city.
Contrasted against the blue of the river and sky, it was a breathtaking view.
Of course, we had to have a little photoshoot :)
We finished off our exploration with some Super Bock at a small cafe in the Alfama. We didn't know the name of the place or even what we really ordered, but that's the charm of living abroad. With the sun shining bright on us, the beer and wine flowing and the city ours to explore, there's really no way you could go wrong. Monday, February 1, 2010
Adventures on (or off) the 28.
Lisbon's #28 tram has been called one of the greatest tram rides in the world.
First of all, Lisbon has some of the greatest public transportation I have seen. You can easily get by on trains, buses, trams or boats. One of the best ways to explore the cities is hopping on one of these trams or buses and seeing where you wind up. Settling into my permanent status, I purchased my Lisbon Viva card and for 28 € a month, I now have unlimited access to the bus, tram, and train.
On our newly-initiated Thursday Exploration Day, Margaret, Emily, and I decided to explore Alfama and the St. George's Castle, which is located on a hill. The 28 winds and chugs all the way up this hill, up hills that you don't think it will make and through streets that look too narrow to contain it.
We meet in Chiado right in time to see the 28 coming by, so we hop right on it. About halfway through the trip, we realize that we are headed the wrong way. Since we are not tied to any certain agenda (as is the life in Libson), we just decide to see where it takes us. We wind up in this really old cemetary on the other side of the city, so we walked around the cemetary for a while.
We managed to make it up the hill and almost to the castle before I had to trek down. Guess I'll have to continue my adventures on the 28 another day! Adventure Thursdays are a must!
On our newly-initiated Thursday Exploration Day, Margaret, Emily, and I decided to explore Alfama and the St. George's Castle, which is located on a hill. The 28 winds and chugs all the way up this hill, up hills that you don't think it will make and through streets that look too narrow to contain it.
We meet in Chiado right in time to see the 28 coming by, so we hop right on it. About halfway through the trip, we realize that we are headed the wrong way. Since we are not tied to any certain agenda (as is the life in Libson), we just decide to see where it takes us. We wind up in this really old cemetary on the other side of the city, so we walked around the cemetary for a while.
The cemetery was a sight in and of itself. Their mausoleums were somewhat different then ours. The front had a door or window and inside was a little room with the coffins inside. The view from the cemetery was pretty nice, too.
We left the cemetary to once again try to make our way back to Alfama. Right in time for another train, we hopped on and started riding, enjoying the ride on a tram you could imagine strolling through the streets many, many years before. All of a sudden the tram stops and the driver tells us it's the end. We are definitely not up a hill. Oh well, we decide to walk up it. We're young and fit, and we can use the exercise to fit into these tiny bikini bottoms the Portuguese wear.
We managed to make it up the hill and almost to the castle before I had to trek down. Guess I'll have to continue my adventures on the 28 another day! Adventure Thursdays are a must!
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