Arrived at Cascais, Portugal to meet AMISTAD, the crew and students for the deployment to Lisbon. Two things, the condition of the vessel and beauty of the city and the country struck me. The crew had really been working hard to prepare for the grand entrance to the Port of Lisboa the brass was shined and the varnish bright. The morale high and energy level that vibrated.

The level of excitement was high and I caught the fever immediately. You would think that after so many years with AMISTAD it would be old hat for me, but the expectation of going to a city with such long sea history was just the thing to get me back in the spirit.

Cascais is a resort city at the mouth of the Rio Tejo about 15 miles from Lisbon. The city faces the sea and the marina is at the base of a fort that has guarded the river entrance for hundreds of years. A" quaint little town" is one way to discribe it but that would be too "cutesy", rather it is a charming little village would best say what it is like.  Plazas with mosaic tiles in black and white wave patterns, streets with dark blocks of stone, not like the asphalt we are so used to at home. Shops everywhere selling everything from sweets to local had crafts to haute couture men and women's clothes. The pace is slow with people sitting at umbrella shaded table sipping espresso watching the sunset just behind the Fort.

A thirty minute, 1.60 Euro train will put you in downtown Lisbon. Where the Pace changes but not by much.  Just more people and cars but still moving at a speed that would be considered a snails pace in New York or LA.  We have the best of both worlds, seaside and city all in thirty minutes.

Comments (0)