Sightseeing!

I guess this weekend would be the first time I did any "sightseeing", unless you count going to the mall (more than once, lol). We've been so busy up till now that there hasn't been much free time; even this weekend we had a memorial service to attend. That wasn't until the evening though, so in the morning Marilyn and I walked and window shopped around Samora (the town where the Rusts live). It's a nice little town! There's something so appealing about a small town where one can walk everywhere, and there are quaint little shops lining the main streets. And yes, I did more than window shop. :-)

Marilyn was concerned about my not wearing a coat, but I only brought my winter coat and it's just not always cold enough for that. I would rather be a little chilled than sweating in my coat. So, partly to make her feel better (and partly because I was a little cold) I looked at the stores for a nice jacket. Sure enough...I found one! And it's adorable! A nice red, which is fast becoming my favorite color, in a fitted cut...I can't describe it really but maybe at some point I'll take a decent picture of it. The best thing; it was only 7 euro!

Jon and Marilyn (my cousins) have a friend visiting for a few weeks to help with re-painting the school. He was actually the one who painted it originally 10 years ago when he and his wife came before. Well after the memorial service, the four of us drove into the Belem district of Lisbon for dinner at Portvgalia. Mmmm...wonderful food! It's high quality, traditional Portugese dishes. I ate here last time I came and have been looking forward to it ever since.

Outside Portvgalia and facing across the Tejo River is the Monument to the Discoveries, which is a "statue" of sundry explorers, financers, etc led by Prince Henry the Navigator at the front. On the ground in front of it is a marble map of the world, given to Portugal by China. Being here brought back all kinds of hilarious memories from my last visit. :-) Unfortunately it was dark so it wasn't easy to take good pictures, but I managed to get a few.

It's easier to just link you to the pictures. I added more to the first album, so I'm posting a link to that one again. As before, just click on one of the links and it should take you there. If not, let me know. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=60814&l=5e6b0&id=616731727 or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57513&l=2b8af&id=616731727