Annie told us Lisbon would remind us of San Francisco.
She got that one right.
Hills, trolleys, other quaint vehicles to carry people around, sidewalk surprises and whole lot of funk and people flowing every which direction.
Ya gotta watch your step on the sidewalks and pay attention at all times with all the street and sidewalk activity.
We even saw the beginnings of a street protest which was kept in tow by policemen dressed in riot gear, ready to act if necessary.
The protest never made the square where we enjoyed our dinner last night, so the police had a lot of time on their hands to hurry up and wait.
We saw a small portion of the city as we walked those hills and listened to street musicians and even spent a few Euros on souvenirs and tasty tarts.
Our day began in Peniche and proceeded south toward Lisbon where we stopped to view oceanside attractions a couple of times.
When we arrived at the Westernmost tip of Continental Europe, we encountered hoards of people and an unscrupulous faux parking attendant.
I guess there are opportunities for one to make a Euro or two if you just put on a florescent vest and act like you work there.
Annie had suspicions as he directed us into our spot and then took two Euros. Within a few feet after leaving the car, the "free parking" notice on the pavement, confirmed Annie's skepticism.
When we came back to the car later, Bill told a few drivers that the parking was free and not to pay two Euros. In the meantime, Annie and I quickly convinced the fake attendant to give our money back.
He did so and found some other spot to fool the visitors.
We also found another "pay before you go" WC turist trap. This one was highly regulated with a machine for the money and a gruff-looking attendant letting so many people into the toilet headquarters at a time.
I stood with a group of women speaking a language I probably had never heard: Slovenian.
When it came time to go to one of two available stalls, one lady warned the others to take in a paper town, lest the stall toilet paper might be used up.
All took her word, while I showed them the wad of TP I keep in my pocket thanks to Annie's advance warning that TP may not be available everywhere.
My display elicited a quick change in language. They all spoke English and we exchanged a few pleasantries before taking our available stalls and getting the heck out of there for the next group.
We enjoyed another great day in Portugal yesterday and all felt a tinge of regret that it would be our last unless we find a way to return.
This morning we head to the airport where all three of us will fly to Dublin and say our good byes as Annie heads back to Seattle.
She's given us six days of wonderful travel, always taking Mom's suitcase wherever it needs to go, and that has includes several blocks of street walking in some places.
We are so appreciative of this time spent with our daughter who has traveled the world and who knows the turf pretty much everywhere she goes.
Thanks, Annie. We love you.
Later this evening West Coast time, Willie and Debbie will board an Aer Lingus flight in Seattle and several hours after they arrive in Ireland, we'll see them in Kenmare.
What a trip made even more fun with our wonderful family members!
We are blessed.
Enjoy the photos.
Note: because of our travel schedule by air and to our travel destination for tonight, I may not publish the blog tomorrow.
If that is the case, I will just add photos to the Facebook promotion for this post. Thanks for your patience.
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