Feliz Ano Novo (Happy New Year in Portugese)

By the time we got to Portugal, (after our 6:30 a.m. flight, which necessitated a 3:30 wake-up and 4:15 shuttle pick up) we were all wondering what we'd been thinking including this last leg on our trip - we were tired in more ways than one.  But happily, Lisbon delivered.  It was my favorite city of the 5 we saw, and the cool mosaics that are everywhere in lieu of regular sidewalks, as well as the fancy tile on the buildings was part of my love.  Also, this crazy guy in a gas mask - just out in the street in the middle of the afternoon.  Lucky for the rest of the population, it was a precautionary measure...


We had more transportation issues in Lisbon - after our success with the city bus tour in Madrid, we signed up for the Lisbon version - but chose the line that was never on time, and had fewer buses than all the other companies so on day 2 Nate had it out with their manager (after we walked to the main pickup area from our hotel - probably at least a couple of miles - but it was a beautiful sunny day and we walked through the park) and got our money back.  We then took a different bus up through the hills and old neighborhoods of the city to get to St. Jorge's Castle.  It was pretty awesome - the views and the ride through the neighborhoods were exactly what my mom and I were picturing in our dream version of Portugal.

                      This picture is from - and included for Nate.

                                 Pretty sure this is St. Jorge himself.

Nate and I climbed up on the castle walls, and my parents kept the kids down in the courtyard, and listened to a little acoustic guitar.  Will had a blast running around, and Finley was happily sleeping, snuggled in the carrier with my dad.  It was great - he took several turns wearing her, and with my mom pushing the stroller, I was on my own again!

Lisbon also had the coolest Christmas lights - and a little (downpour) of rain on New Year's Eve.  After a late lunch/early dinner we sent the kids back to the hotel with my parents and Nate and I wandered for a little while until we realized we were way too early (6 pm) for any celebrations to begin, and too late to do any shopping, and too wet to just stroll aimlessly so we took the metro back and started our little party in my parent's hotel room.  With some chocolate and cookies from the grocery store down the street, a sleeping Finley in our room and Polar Express (for the hundredth time:) on Will's little dvd player, we got out the Quiddler game and played on the bed.  I told you we were big partiers.

Finley was very helpful with the umbrella:)

On our last day, we walked down the Lisbon equivalent of the Champs d'Elysee (sorry Portugal, I can't remember the name of it), and admired the tile mosaics, and some cool fountains.  I had to get a picture of Fin in her little skinny jeans, pink Aggies hat and sparkly boots.  So cute:)  And it was so nice of Will to let her have a turn in the stroller - he was pretty possessive of it.  The cable car up the hill was a last minute decision, but a good one - again, amazing views (despite the literal piles of garbage and New Year's Eve bottles left in the park) and Will even got to "drive" on the way up the hill.  Lisbon is set in the hills, and there are a couple of spots where they installed these cable cars to save people the steep hike.

So finally, 12 days later, we packed up and headed our separate ways after a great trip.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and thanks to my parents for joining us on our adventure!