236. Going to Lisbon–yappy yappy ya ya–maybe we’ll be struck by Pessoa’s hypographia and develop 72 heteronyms of our own!
January 7th, 2010 § 16 Comments
Me: LaRok tiered garden dress, Michael: H&M pink shirt, my dad’s tie, my dad’s sports jacket, Silence & Noise supertight black jeans, fresh yellow roses stolen from a vase.
We’re going to Lisbon tomorrow. What have I done today to prepare? A lipsmack of nothing except pick up my new glasses that have secret heart cut-outs, and eat lobster-tofu soup and french fries. I’m scared to go to Lisbon tomorrow and I’m scared to leave my family and I’m scared to go back to Iowa.
I read a little bit of The Book of Disquietude online to calm me.
To describe the universal is to describe what is common to all human souls and to all human experience–the broad sky, with day and night occurring in it and by it; the flowing of rivers, all with the same fresh and nunnish water; the vast waving mountains known as oceans, which hold the majesty of height in the secret of their depths; the fields, the seasons, houses, faces, gestures; clothes and smiles; love and wars; gods both finite and infinite; the formless Night, mother of the world’s origin; Fate, the intellectual monster that is everything…Describing these or any other universals, my soul speaks the primitive and divine language, the Adamic tongue that everyone understands. But what splintered, Babelish language would I use to describe the Santa Justa Lift, the Reims Cathedrale, the breeches worn by the Zouaves, or the way Portuguese is pronounced in the province of Trás-os-Montes?
I look forward to seeing the Santa Justa Lift, I wonder if we’ll hear how Portuguese is pronounced in Trás-os-Montes, there’s more I’m not even dimly aware of yet, this post is dedicated to Michael because sometimes he wears flowers in his hair, and he saved my house from burning down in gingery flames, and he introduced me to Pessoa and his aphorisms and his heteronyms and his obsession with what other people thought of him, and he told me about hypographia–when you can’t stop writing–and he convinced me to go to Portugal, and if there exists a splintered, Babelish language to describe all of the shivering, mysterious particulars of the world, I’m sure Michael would master it immediately.
Both photos taken at the Harvard Club this past summer, where my friend Victoria held her wedding reception. (Photo by MTT)
I would love to hear from anyone who has been to Lisbon/Portugal. Do you have recommendations for places to see and things to do and food to consume? I’m open to anything, from the sleazy to the cheesy, and I’d love to scout out some vintage clothing stores and bring home some European booty for my Etsy shop.
Love, Jenny
ahAH! Firsst pict cuteerzz. about the portugal, not yet. but soon!! Good love in Portugal!
Euh hi!
Well i’m a Lisbon girl so here are my shopping picks!
Outra Face da Lua -www.aoutrafacedalua.com/
Cool de Sac – http://www.cooldesac.pt/
Fabrico Infinito – http://www.fabricoinfinito.com/
A Vida Portuguesa – http://www.avidaportuguesa.com/
MOOD – http://www.timeout.pt/news.asp?id_news=4478
Zilian -http://www.zilianchoose.com/
If you any help convo me!
Have a nice trip and staying
xoxo
J.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great and thorough list. I can’t wait to check these places out.
The ruins of the Castle of St. George are in the old part of town and walking around them gives you an INCREDIBLE view of the city.
Also, if you like ruins, the ruins of the convent from the great earthquake (can’t remember the actual name of it, but there’s only one ruined convent in town, so it does narrow it down) are also amazing.
For shopping, wander around the Baixa-Chiado area, there’s tons there. I don’t know about vintage, but there’s a lot of great stuff.
As for food: eat everything. Portuguese food is fantastic. Febras is some kind of mildly spicy pork product, and it’s delicious. You must try sardines at some point, served whole – they’re amazing and totally 100% classic Portuguese. My favorite is steak & fries – the steak is usually served with a creamy sauce and an egg on top and is amazingly delicious, and the sauce is great for dipping the fries.
I just got back from Lisbon, but I’m still totally envious of your trip! I really, really love it there. Here are about ten bazillion photos from my earlier trip this summer if you want to get a feel for the aesthetics of the city: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grapefruitmoon/sets/72157620865051148/
Hi Sonja– thank you so much for your wonderful recommendations. It sounds like you had a great time & I will definitely have the sardines. The food so far has been delicious and I’ve already gone to see the ruined convent and loved it! Thank you thank you!
nope, no recommendations. I’ve never been to Lisbon. have a great time! Hope to see pix of your holiday there x
OH! PS! Specific food recommendations – Trindade Brewery in the Chiado area not only is really, really beautiful, but the lunch I had there is in the top three best meals I’ve ever had in my entire life.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2153062550054944492ulzsSu
I have never been, so no recommendation from me, sorry :/ but I still had to comment to let you know how those pictures are so rad!! Love it!
-Coco from Our Paper Moon
i totally second outra face da lua–and i believe one of the branches might even have a small cafe attached to it.
the bairro alto (not sure of spelling) is good for independent/artist shops.
pois cafe is a cute place near the se cathedral.
and while it’s a tram ride out of the center, the belem cultural center might still be free
http://www.ccb.pt
bon voyage!
Thank you Charisma for the recommendations! I’m going to try to go to the Outra face da lua for sure–it sounds lovely
i’ve never been to lisbon, so i have no advice [other than to have a good time], but i, too, am scared of going back to iowa. winter….yuck.
oh, how scary yet exciting! i’ve never been out of the states so obviously i have no advice to give, but you’ll have fun, especially if you keep the exerpt in the back of your mind.
bon voyage!!
CUTE DRESS JENNY!!! (: love the ruffles!
have fun in lisbon!!! be sure to take lots of pictures and shop your heart out
Thank you everyone so much!! You’re all so sweet!
xo,
Jenny