with paulo
i went to lisbon with a friend of mine from california and it was the best trip i went on while living in italy. every person we met was very nice and friendly, the cab driver from the airport, the people on the street when we got lost trying to get to the hostel, the receptionist at the hostel. we stayed near a park called miradouro de santa catarina and met more friendly locals there. our first night, we were just chilling in the park and this guy came up and started talking to us. he told us where to go, what to see and invited us to a party his friends were throwing a few blocks away. we had a great time and didn't get back til sunrise, but my friend's boyfriend didn't feel the same way. he was in california and wasn't too thrilled about the idea of his girlfriend parading around portugal with her single best friend.
how many parties have tuba players?
needless to say this put a damper on her trip, but i wasn't going to let their problems ruin mine. the rest of the time we were there, we would go sightseeing together during the day. but at night, she didn't want to go out so i went to the park to hang out with my new friends. we'd go to the bars in bairro alto, an area of lisbon that has to be the most lively. the streets are narrow and at times are more crowded than being in a club. it's so loud that you wonder how the people living on top of the bars could ever get any sleep. you can buy beer for a euro, not your standard sized bottle but a whole liter. and the company is great! i still keep in touch with the people i met there, so once my friend breaks up with her boyfriend i'll take her back with me!
