Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

“If we are not fully i the present moment we miss everything” Anon

Friday 15th and Saturday 16th June 2018

Kms walked; 30

The journey began on Thursday afternoon, i was seated on my Emirates flight swiftly and i was presented with my first gift (and I wasn’t even on the Camino yet), an empty seat next to me. Pure bliss. The flight was uneventful, Dubai passed by quickly, and then the next flight to Lisbon. No empty seat but a perfectly pleasant flight. Landed in Lisbon feeling excited and somewhat exhausted.

My second gift was presented in the form of a taxi ticket office gentleman who walked me right to the front of a 600m long taxi queue and promptly placed me in a taxi, like some sort of VIP and sent us off, people staring at me with envy as we drove by. No idea why I got preference, but hey things happen when you look for those gifts.

Flores Guest House looked dodgy as we pulled up but ended up being just gorgeous behind the facade. My room was airy, spacious, light and modern, albeit it up three very steep narrow fights of stairs.

My room at Flores and the view from my balconette!

After unpacking and settling in as only Stephany can, everything has to have a place, and it all needs to be ok. I set off to explore the town. Friday 15th June, Portugal against Spain in the FIFA World Cup. The streets are packed with people in Ronaldo and Portugal shirts, everyone’s carrying Portuguese flags. Very hot, and very vibey. Remarkably I find my way to the River front (you know my Vasco Da Gama compass isn’t great). At the river front there’s a Soccer Fan Park, pumping with people. I decide to do a Tram ride. Expensive at E20, but worth every cent. The tram tour took 90 mins and really gave me a great orientation of the city.

The trams above, still used as public transport and quite scary on the hills. The fan park, and the LISBOA sign made of old pieces of metal.

After my Tram tour, I made my way back to Flores, as I knew they were showing the soccer in a small Praca nearby. I arrived to great excitement as Portugal and scored. I ordered a Chorizo and a Mojito and settled down to people watch. Im not a soccer follower, but boy do I love watching people. All shapes, sizes, ages, watching soccer and holding their breath at appropriate times. I watched four little boys between the ages of 4 and 8 shouting for Spain with Spanish shirts on, obviously creating quite a few laughs and question marks as the whole Praca was filled with Portugal supporters.

The mood got a bit somber as the Spanish were ahead, then Ronaldo scored a goal through a penalty and everyone went ballistic. What fun. Three mojitos and a chorizo later I stumbled into bed exhausted and fulfilled.

Supporters overjoyed by Renaldo’s goal.

SATURDAY 16th JUNE

I woke up exhausted feeling like I had been run over by a Tram. I think my body realized i was on holiday and decided to rebel as it does whenever I go on holiday. I eventually dragged myself out of bed with the promise of beautiful things to see and set off to explore the city on foot.

I made my way to The Castle of St George, walking the streets, watching peopleI like to do. Lisbon is vibrant, energetic, happy, colourful, albeit a little grubby, but that seems to add to its charm. It is filled with Street art and Grafitti, but that seems to add to its flavor. People are friendly and helpful. Lisbon apparently predates London and is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe but I think the oldest.

St George’s castle presented spectacular views of the city, and a beautiful Stephany moment where I could buy Wine with a View” from a little Tuk-tuk in the Castle grounds. Once I had explored the castle and the surrounding streets, I took myself off for a late lunch of roasted Polvo (Pulpo in Spanish, Octopus in English) and the a quick sleep before going out to dinner with Teresa (a colleague who moved here from CPT) and her hubby.

Teresa and Kimze treated me an awesome evening on the town. Trinidade restaurant first. An old monastery converted into a spectacular restaurant. Then in an Uber to buy the best Pasteis de Nata (custard tarts) ever. Then in another Uber to the new city. A beautiful evening making new friends and discovering a new City with locals.

Then of course there are the beautiful doors of Lisbon!

As it sinks in that i am actually on holiday and about to start my second Camino, I am acutely aware of how blessed I am and of how every day in our routine lives we often forget to notice the beauty in the little things around us. The flowers, the fruit, the lampposts, the food, the people, the trees, the sea, the mountains. Everything just takes on a brighter colour when you take the time to slow down and notice. What a privilege to take three weeks out of my busy wonderful life to just be and STOP and NOTICE! WHAT A GIFT IT IS!

My gifts; A free seat me for me for a 10 hour flight, a VIP taxi queue jump, an unexpected surprise beautiful evening with a colleague, Ubers everywhere to get me and my heavy bags to the station, wine with a view. Noticing!