9 things I learned in Lisbon, Portugal, in 72 hours…

I was in London for UKLUG a couple of
weeks ago, and wanted to visit a place new to me for the weekend before
returning to the US. About the only country in mainland western europe
I’ve never visited is Portugal, so I booked an impromptu trip to Lisbon
for three nights.

What I have learned in Lisboa (Lisbon)
Portugal in 72 hours…

1) Football (soccer) on your first night
is a great way to get into the spirit of a European city.

2) Lisboa is a very walkable — but
hilly — city, with lots to see every minute.

3) Being a solo tourist for the first
time EVER was unexpectedly nice, as you can do whatever you want, stay
as long as you want, and change your mind whenever you want.

4) Gradeschool studies of 16th and 17th
century Portugal ruling the seas hit you in the face when you tour magnificent
castles and waterside fortresses of Lisboa.

5) Central Lisboa was mostly destroyed
by an earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,000 people in 1755, then mostly
rebuilt.

6) The people are Lisboa are incredibly
friendly, beautiful, and full of spirit.

7) Portuguese is the most beautiful,
and one of the most unusual and difficult, languages I’ve tried to speak.

8)
Particularly in a small peninsular
country like Portugal, the internet is the great equalizer of artistic
opportunity. A pub booked local singer-songwriter Ana Free, but couldn’t
handle the 400+ fans who showed up as a result of her recent YouTube fame.
This week she’s the fastest rising artist on the Portuguese
Singles chart with a song at #3.