A Day In Cascais.

Today I walked along the ocean from Estoril to Cascais with Vivian and Marco. Still one of my favorite sounds in the world. Both cities are total beach towns. I hear that in the summer all from Lisboa hop on the train and head this way. With anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, I would say it's a pretty quick trek. The walk from one town to the other couldn't have been more than 15 minutes, with waves breaking over bicycle riders and just enough drizzle to keep us on our toes and under our hoods. 

We split off at the beginning of downtown Cascais and I have literally been walking around town all day. It's absolutely stunning. Hills filled with little walkways and historic buildings that make my heart pitter patter. It's laid back here. With just enough people where it doesn't feel deserted but not enough to have to find a spot on the sidewalk. I love that things close from 1-3 in the afternoon and that it's not uncommon to give or receive a "boa tarde" (good afternoon) while walking down the street. All of the buildings around are beautifully old and the calcadao (sidewalk) takes me back to being a little girl again. One of my favorite parts about the town is that at any given point you can follow an alley to the end and be face to face with the ocean. 

I have of course managed to find what seems to be the only irish pub in town and adore that I can sit and enjoy a Guiness. Now if only they had shepards pie! I must admit it's surreal to be in a place where mainly Brits seem to hang, and hearing english here throws me off a bit. I've already become accustomed to only speaking Portuguese, even if I can't fully pick up their sultaque (accent) just yet. 

I've spent my days explorings and it's really nice to have so many new sights to see, I adore feeling lost, I adore the little old ladies all primped up walking arm in arm, and the shopkeepers carrying on with regulars. I know these things happen everywhere, but isn't it so much for fun when it's somewhere new? 

Onward. My Guiness has come to an end and I am off to say hello to Cascais at night...