Lisbon: "Taste of Lisbon" Excursion
We met our Program Director, Sofia (also pronounced So-FI-a) a little before 3 pm and then boarded the bus to take us up to the top of one of the many hills in Lisbon to the Graca District, which has always been home to working class Portugese. The bus took us to near the top of the hill and then over the next three hours we worked our way down to hill. We made three different stops for drinks and finger food. One thing we noted at several stops was the famous tile work everywhere.....from just on small sections of the buildings, on steps and covered the entire three-story home. The first stop we went to we were served a melon/lemon fruit drink mix and two kinds of finger food: sardines on lettuce & bread, and tuna on bread. At the second stop, which we thought was much the best of the three, had codfish cake, cornbread with meat cooked in it, served with beer. The hostess was THE best story-teller and had us all chuckling or laughing out loud the entire time. At the conclusion of the stop she passed out small, shot-size glasses of the Portuguese dessert drink "ginja." She explained it is made with THE WORST tasting sour cherries. But when the liquor and sugar is added - OH MY, that was DEEEEEE-licious. So much so that Kim, who never likes sweet drinks, asked about buying some at home! A big time second on that vote :) The third stop was wine with cheese and meats. Good for sure. And at each stop we sat with a different couple, enjoying the conversation very much. Down the hill to the bus and then headed back to the hotel, arriving around 6:45 pm to conclude an amazing day! Tomorrow we leave the hotel early and will be headed to our ship, the Viking Osfrid, in Porto....stopping along the way for more tours and lunch.
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