Portugal, Spain, and Northern Ireland, June 4-21, 2016

Queluz, Portugal, June 4-5|

Hello, dear friends,

Writing you from the small town of Queluz, outside of Lisbon, Portugal, after an evening meal and a sigh of contentment that I am here and getting my traveling groove in gear once again for the summer.  It takes a moment or two to bring back into consciousness, but once I find the groove again, things seem natural and travel becomes a joy.  

It is a lovely Sunday evening here.  As you know, I left Dallas on Saturday, June 4 to a clearing sky, so I was not as worried as I had been about having a short commute to my second departure for Lisbon.  My plane arrived even earlier than scheduled, and at the reservations desk in Dallas I had asked for and received an aisle seat in a row sporting my favorite number--14.  There was a seat between me and my neighbor, so a little more legroom, though flying in economy still brings forth a picture of flying in an airborne cigar, so never a pleasant sensation.  And on the first flight, to Philadelphia, I was going to the bathroom and traversed a dim cabin to get there, not realizing a man had stuck out his legs.  He almost tripped me, but instead banged hard against the top of my left foot, which really hurt and would later trouble me until I took some Aleve.  Can't allow something like that to bring me down!

After a rather miserable night of trying to find any old position which might suffice for sleeping, I finally gave up and watched movies instead.  We landed without incident in Lisbon at 8:50 a.m., and then I couldn't wait to start walking, but boy, did my left foot give me grief!  We got to Passport Control, where there were about 250 people, but the line proceeded quite rapidly and we were hurtled into baggage claim.  Mine was one of the last to come off, and then we sped on to the Arrivals Hall, where I met our tour guide, Louise, as well as about 12 other travelers out of the 23 that form our total number.  These active people are seasoned travelers who don't let anything get to them, are always prepared, and there are plenty of stories and witticisms swirling around to make for an interesting, vibrant group.  It took most of the morning to have people leave and be able to get into our hotel rooms, and by noon I had still no key for my room, which I am sharing with Jill Immerman, from NY City.  My left foot was killing me, I was hungry, thirsty; it was humid (though 60 degrees), and I was getting testy.  And then I thought to take two Aleves, change shoes, and get some lunch with another trip acquaintance.  I had an excellent bowl of pureed vegetable soup, while she (Barbara Shaw) had an omelet and a salad.  Things started looking up as soon as I had regained some balance physically and mentally.

But enough of me.  We are staying in a section of the Queluz National Palace, once the summer residence of Portuguese royalty--specifically, the Guardhouse.  It was heavily influenced by the Baroque and Rococo styles of the 18th and 19th centuries.  This summer residence is located in an area chosen for its particularly cool and healthy features, making it ideal for spending the summer and for hunting.  In a small, intimate space with 26 rooms rather modestly furnished in German Biedermeier style, the palace is surrounded with a theater that reflects the interest in art and music of the court.  We didn't tour the interior of the palace in too great a detail, but had a feast wandering all over the palace gardens, inspired by French palace gardens.  Featured were gorgeous stands of agapanthus, box hedges, cypresses, yews, amazing tile water bassins, statuary, lemon trees, and a fascinating grotto.  

The Pousada de Queluz, where we are staying, is close to the Cascais beaches, the Sintre Mountains, golf courses, and the capital of Lisbon.  Once we returned from our garden tour, we sauntered into town and had a look at the mishmash of old and new buildings side by side, and then decided to return to the hotel for some much needed rest.  I came home (the room was finally ready and my luggage  had been delivered), and I finally met my new roommate.  Very nice lady and very considerate.  I took out my contacts, shed my shoes, and lay down on the bed totally exhausted.  After sleeping for about an hour, I roused myself, and roommate and I went down for a meeting by the tour guide detailing practical procedures and details for the next few weeks.  Then we went to have our first meal together, consisting of appetizers of a kind of tuna spread, with bread; also garlic butter, warm cheese with parsley, and a little carrot dish, followed by roasted eggplant, which I actually like.  This was followed by stuffed chicken and broccoli, and a flan for desert.

Afterwards, we walked back home in a gloaming twilight, and now I am finishing this blog.  It is after 10:00 p.m., and my body is doing its best to reboot itself.  Left foot is better now, but am yawning a lot, so will bring this to a close.  Busy day tomorrow!  As ever, and with greetings from Lisbon, Sylvia /Mami

Sylvia M. Venable, PhD

Instructor, German

St. John's Episcopal School

Dallas, Texas