"Home, where I thought I should go..." Portugal by Faracy

Portugal Travel Guide: 23,441 reviews and 52,760 photos

Saudade for a country that I wasn't born in.

I have a strange relationship with Portugal, it seems almost like a relationship with a person.
We met by chance encounter when I was 17 years old in Minneapolis, by way of the wonderful fado singer Paulo Braganca who somehow by the grace of God performed in my city. To say that I was enchanted by him would be a drastic understatement. This was the first time I had really heard the Portuguese language.. I vowed that one day I would speak it too...I got to meet him, and on the program that he signed he said " come to Lisbon, and a big kiss from Paulo Braganca and Lisboa."
I took this absolutely to heart.
I read about Portugal, imagined it, and bought out just about the entire section in the world section of any music store that was from Portugal. This went on for 3 years. In July of 2000, I finally found my way to my personal Mecca.
The first time around was bittersweet,
I was with my best friend who didn't have the same passion and fervor for Fado that I do. I asked anyone willing to listen if they knew where Paulo Braganca was, and scoured all of music stores in Lisboa for anything and anything related to him... I was on a mission! In the process I discovered how sweet the Portuguese people really were, and how much I loved absinto. I was only there for a week this first time, but I left with the taste of honey on my lips. It took me nearly four years to return, and find part of my heart that I'd left behind.... These pictures and musings are mostly from this second odyssy. This time was when I really knew that I had found "home."

the way in on the bus

view from the bus window

I watched intentely out the window of the bus all the way into Lisboa. I was coming from Evora, so I really got to watch the scenery change. I vividly remember how I felt when I could see the lights of Lisboa.. I had "Clocks" by Coldplay blasting on my walkman, and I could see the Tejo river, and the lights, and the Ponte de Abril bridge, and I felt like I was making aaliyah.. I started taking pictures out of the bus windows to try to capture how beautiful I thought it all was.

The Algarve

Cabo Sao Vicente

This was my second time in the Algarve. I was there nearly 4 years ago, it was my first taste of Portugal.
This time I certainly got to see much more. We stayed in Lagos, which is still a special place for me, but drove all over.. Silves, Portimao,
Sagres, Faro, and many little villages in between.

Pros and Cons

Pros:It's not Spain
Cons:It's not Spain
In a nutshell:unlike anything I can put into words

Last visit to Portugal: Jun 2004
Intro Updated Aug 3, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (12)

Monument to the Navigators Things to Do (3)

This is just what the title says it is. It's very majestic indeed. This picture was taken at about 4:30 in the... more travel advice

Bairro Alto in Lisboa Nightlife (1)

I love Bairro Alto! Its old, windy, and one of the few places on earth where one can go shopping for clothes and drink... more travel advice

The Tower of Belem Things to Do (3)

This is one of the purest examples of Manuline architecture that exists. Its was the departure point of many of the... more travel advice

bigger portions Restaurants (2)

This is just an observation, which perhaps isnýt fact, but seems to be.. The food portions in Portuguese restaurants are... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (16)

Sininen Nov 17, 2007 at 1:57 AM Report Abuse

Great thoughts here. I've only spent one week Madeira and another in Algarve and a day in Lisbon and loved the country. I saw fado in Madeira and enjoyed it but not as much as I enjoyed seeing Mariza in concert here in Lahti. Amazing!
Nicolita_Lena Oct 6, 2007 at 9:01 AM Report Abuse

I love your story and I perfectly undersatnd your ralationship with Lisbon....as I also have my personal relationship with this city or maybe I should write with the soul of this city...seems leaving it I left part of me there
hunterV Apr 20, 2007 at 11:13 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for your wonderful description!
nixca316 Feb 6, 2007 at 8:23 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the tips...
bijo69 Jan 5, 2006 at 6:56 AM Report Abuse

Really like your stories! Lisbon is also one of my favourite cities in Europe.
chiara76 Aug 26, 2005 at 4:48 AM Report Abuse

Hi there. It is nice to see Lisboa in your pictures once again...I miss this wonderful place as it is one of my favourites ones... Greetings from Poland.
JPGoncalves May 5, 2005 at 4:54 PM Report Abuse

I guess you got the Bairro Alto beat, I am glad you got it, ...and the Ginja..well better to drink 3 or 4 in a row, then you will like it more:), Welcome to the real thing. JP
Arkeolog May 3, 2005 at 12:14 PM Report Abuse

great page and pics on Lisbon. well done. Bora
ncfg Nov 30, 2004 at 12:54 PM Report Abuse

Hi Faracy, i loved your Portugal page, especially the way you describe my country and the portuguese people. Thanks for this page. Nat
dr.firas Aug 8, 2004 at 10:26 AM Report Abuse

Great page Faracy, planing to go there after Spain this year in the very end of October :-))