First Glimpse
We arrived in Portugal around 9:30 a.m. from a relatively uneventful flight (not counting the flight attendant threatening to remove a passenger for not sitting down and buckling up). While I understand that others encountered longer lines at passport control, we breezed right through. We also quickly found a cab although Ubers are abundant and maybe a little cheaper.
Lisbon definitely has her own personality. Seven hills serve as the crust of a city that rolls into the Tagus River. The ocean lies just beyond Lisbon (or Lisboa as the citizens call it), which may explain why it feels more like a large lake. Water is in Lisbon's blood.
Red tile roofs and white buildings dominate the landscape. There appears to be only room for differences in wall color as the red tiles dominate the view of the landscape. Most buildings appear to be less than 10 stories perhaps as a nod to The Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 that destroyed much of the city as fires erupted in its aftermath.
Through previous trips we have learned to book an extra night before we arrive if coming in on a morning flight. There's nothing worse than waiting 6 hours for your room when all you want to do is take a shower and a nap in an attempt to feel human again. Our hotel, 9 Hotel Mercy is near both Baixa and Barrio Alta which makes it a convenient home base for our adventure.
Our group met on the lovely rooftop bar for our first introductions to the workshop led by Liza Politi and Joe McNally. Rounding out the staff are Ari Espay, Joe's wife, Anne Cahill and Michael Calli (Joe's assistant). They're here to insure we all pick up some photography skills while enjoying the blue skies and historic beauty of Portugal.
Before dinner, we wondered over to an elevator, think more of a Tower of Terror size elevator not a typical one for a building, for a rooftop overview of the city. Wind greeted us at the top. We spent half an hour orienting ourselves to the landscape. We walked to our dinner of cod (it must be mandatory to consume at least once a day) or steak. We're looking forward to a great week.
Tomorrow: Hit the Ground Running
Lisbon definitely has her own personality. Seven hills serve as the crust of a city that rolls into the Tagus River. The ocean lies just beyond Lisbon (or Lisboa as the citizens call it), which may explain why it feels more like a large lake. Water is in Lisbon's blood.
Red tile roofs and white buildings dominate the landscape. There appears to be only room for differences in wall color as the red tiles dominate the view of the landscape. Most buildings appear to be less than 10 stories perhaps as a nod to The Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 that destroyed much of the city as fires erupted in its aftermath.
Through previous trips we have learned to book an extra night before we arrive if coming in on a morning flight. There's nothing worse than waiting 6 hours for your room when all you want to do is take a shower and a nap in an attempt to feel human again. Our hotel, 9 Hotel Mercy is near both Baixa and Barrio Alta which makes it a convenient home base for our adventure.
Our group met on the lovely rooftop bar for our first introductions to the workshop led by Liza Politi and Joe McNally. Rounding out the staff are Ari Espay, Joe's wife, Anne Cahill and Michael Calli (Joe's assistant). They're here to insure we all pick up some photography skills while enjoying the blue skies and historic beauty of Portugal.
Before dinner, we wondered over to an elevator, think more of a Tower of Terror size elevator not a typical one for a building, for a rooftop overview of the city. Wind greeted us at the top. We spent half an hour orienting ourselves to the landscape. We walked to our dinner of cod (it must be mandatory to consume at least once a day) or steak. We're looking forward to a great week.
Tomorrow: Hit the Ground Running
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