Lisboa in July

Last summer, I left Italy only for a brief while: to go to a country that is possibly my second south European love, Portugal. It was my second time in Lisboa and this year I remained for four days, after spending a weekend in the south of the country, the Algarve region.

Lisboa is a town so full of colors, and twirling shapes (such as the pavements designs, reminders of Rio de Jainero's streets) that it is a delight just exploring it with one's eyes. White facades, orange sunny rooftops and the gorgeous street art. The sea and the river, perfectly blue and calm in July (but shattered by rainstorms during my first visit) add to this desire of discovering, of going beyond Lisboa but also of staying here and enjoying a moment of serenity. Portoghese writer Fernando Pessoa, whom captured so well the soul the city, never left it during his life but kept dreaming of far away journeys. Lisboa is everywhere in Pessoa's work, endorsed by several writing identities, and now Pessoa is everywhere in Lisboa, especially on the drawings on the walls.

In July, Lisboa is pleasantly warm. At night, almost a bit chilly with the Atlantics winds breathing through the city. Like a spring season that would linger, a nice break for the heat I had known since June in Roma. My vacation was spent with some lovely friends from Brazil but on the last day they
had caught their plane and I remained alone for a last stroll along the city. I could have gone to Cascais for a beach day but instead returned to Afalma, enjoying one more time the sights, sounds and smells of the eastern quarter.

Lisboa, possibly next time I will meet you in autumn. And this time I will make sure to have learnt some portoghese words, others than Obrigada, Bon dia and boa noite.