Bellowing Cats

LEFTOVERS

2009-07-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been awhile. Most of my doings/days recently have been pretty crappy so I haven't felt like blogging. I'll try not to dwell on them, other than my latest allergy attack.

LEFTOVERS!!!!!

Vicki & I went to our favorite Mexican restaurant on Wed evening. I had Sopes. I've never had them there before. They are tostadas in a masa bowl. No more than a chicken taco. Wed night, I'm fine. Thursday I go home for lunch and eat the leftovers. I was swelling up before I got back to work. Still swollen today. My attacks are coming on faster and lasting longer...and getting more bizarre.

Everyone keeps asking if I've been to the doctor. I tell them the same thing she told me...there is no cure or treatment other than avoidance. And the only way I'm going to figure out what to avoid is to eat it and wait for a reaction. It is tiring.

When I came home yesterday afternoon to medicate/knock myself out myself with benedryl, I had to sleep on the couch. Lark was having a new flat screen TV installed in the bedroom. For me, of course. So I can watch NCIS on a nice HD screen. Uh huh.

Lark & I are off to New York in August. Going with the Giants fan club to watch them beat the Mets. We're taking a red eye so we can get in and have as much time in NY as possible. This was somewhat spur of the moment. I'm so proud of Lark. We saw the ad during a Giants game and Lark says "that would be fun". Next day I booked it, except for airfare. They only had so many full pop slots. So I booked the hotel and ball games and Lark found the flights.

Speaking of flights, Lark has advised everyone of the Myrtle Beach flights, but we haven't heard anything back. Driving, flying, going? Kathy & I are SO looking forward to it.

Vicki is turning 50 at the end of this month. She's going somewhere with her hubby, but she just doesn't know where yet. Neither does he. They ended up in Vegas for Jason's 50th so it could be her turn.

Having fun on facebook. I have one friend who must live on the PC. I'm constantly getting updates on his "activities". I set up a page for Lark, but he's afraid to use it. I have to tutor him on it first. Gee, I'm sorry, it didn't come with a manual.

No budget yet in California. Both the Demos and Repubs are sticking to their party lines and no one is giving in. State workers are on 3 furlough days a month and we are getting IOUs for grant payments. But the legislators can't be bothered to play nice with each other to finalize a damn budget. I hate politics.

WIDE AWAKE

2009-07-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

It's 11:15 and Scooby and I are wide awake. He's demanding attention, yes bellowing for it. It's a game...I pick him up, he purrs and drools, then he gets down, bellows some more and we start all over again. And you thought cats were easy. Right now he's trying his pitiful holler.

I did take a 2 hour nap today, and slept most of yesterday, but I don't think that's what is keeping me awake. I'm thinking it's the 5 glasses of caffenated ice tea. Probably should switch to decaf. It's the only thing I am not afraid of drinking. I'm out of diet Pepsi, which is probably a good thing. Lark has about 6 bottles of Gatorade in the fridge, all of which have red or yellow dye in them. BBQ potato chips have red and yellow dye in them, as do Cool Ranch Doritos. Lark poured out half a bottle of Margarita mix and almost a whole bottle of Sweet and Sour. I am becoming the All Natural Girl.

Vicki, her sister Liz and I are off to SF on Sunday to see Wicked. We've been wanting to see it since it debuted. Every time it comes to SF, we miss it, so this time we decided to just buy the tickets and go.

No State budget so Arnold is issuing IOUs.

What's with all the celebs dying recently? Ed McMahon, Farrah, MJ, Billy Mays, Karl Malden(97!) and a couple lesser knowns Gale Storm & Fred Travalena. OxyClean commercials will never be the same.

Made Lark a screensaver with he and Arnie (not the Gov) superimposed on #8 at BayHill. He's quite tickled with it. He's leaning on Arnie's shoulder.

Been off work since Tuesday, when I called in sick. Could not wake up. Spent the day in bed. I am officially off Wed - Fri although I might change today to sick as well. However, it's been nice not being at work. I've only looked at work e-mail once.

Carmel in a few. Will be nice to get out of the heat. No humidity, thank goodness, just feels like a furnace.
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8:15

2009-06-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

and it's still 101!

I HAVE SO HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!

2009-06-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

MARGARITA MIX HAS YELLOW DYE IN IT!!!!!

First Maple Nut scones, then Skittles and now MARGARITAs. My own body is turning on me. Do you know of an all-natural, no artificial dye margarita mix? Lark had better start practicing up on that perfect margarita, cuz I am NOT giving them up. One glass with Kathy over guacamole after a swim in the 110 degree heat and my eye puffs up like Rocky socked me.

The good news - I did not get mis-quoted by the Modesto Bee. the article was mostly about the loss of dental for Medi-Cal clients, behavioral health was an "oh, yeah by the way". But, my little 2 line blurb was exactly what I said to him. Check it out here:

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/762149.html

Mis-Quote

2009-06-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

Just had my second interview with the local paper in my career regarding program closures. At least it was a subject I knew. We'll see how I'm mis-quoted went it goes to print.
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PUHLEASE!!!!!!

2009-06-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

I actually heard a newscaster last night say that Michael Jackson's death was a "defining moment in history"!!!!! Give me a break. Yes the guy was talented and yes he sold a lot of records. But come on an androgenous, pedophile, fallen pop icon's death is a defining moment. Maybe for his plastic surgeon. I was more interested in Farrah dying.
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THERE ARE A LOT OF...

2009-06-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

really stupid people out there that California, in it's infinite wisdom, has trusted with a driver's license. Or maybe not.....

Dental polisher has dye in it. Luckily, my hygenist checked the box before using it on me. She did however use pumice. Isn't that what people use on their toilets?

There's naked man standing behind me whining about how bad he golfed today. While telling me at the same time how much fun he had. Go figure.

Arnold is rejecting the Democrats proposed budget because it increases taxes on oil and tobacco companies. Can you say special interests?

California is looking at opening up the ocean area around Santa Barbara for oil drilling. It isn't going to solve their/our problems.

I spent the day watch demos for a new IT system. At 4:15 when they started talking "platforms" and "architecture" I left. I have two more days of demos to go.

Loved last night's NCIS with the Christmas theme.

Last week's temperature averaged mid-80's. It was 101 today, Summer has arrived. I'm spending the weekend with an air conditioner.

Peace, what a concept.
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Things to Ponder

2009-06-23T06:54:00.001-07:00

Like,...

*why, at 5:00 pm yesterday, was there a line out the door at the County Jail?

*why does a suped up VW Bug with handicapped plates need a rollbar?

*why do people camp out to be the first to buy an iPhone?

*why does a 50 year old woman suddenly become allergic to nuts and food dyes?

*how did the cat get behind the dryer?

And to quote the comedian Gallagher, if our knees bent the other way, what would chairs look like?

Just wondering

No Peppermint Candy!!!!

2009-06-19T07:18:00.000-07:00

You know those innocent little peppermint candies you get at restaurants to kill the food taste? Well put those on my list of things to avoid. Big time reaction after just one. Red dye. I'm just going to have to stay away from anything red that is not ketchup. I'm in Roseville at a gathering (meeting). Had to leave at the last break to take a benadryl since the Zertec wasn't working. Ended up having to take 2 benadryls and a Prednisone to get thru the night. Still a little swollen, but nothing like last night.

Our meeting is scheduled to be over by 3:00, hopefully will be home by 5:00 depending on Friday afternoon traffic. Hubby and I have tickets for a Motown Revue at the Gallo tonight. speaking of hubby, he has contracted iPhone envy. The new ones have more features, not that he'd know what to do with them. Supposedly Apple is coming with a lower end iPhone, which is what he really wants.

PLAYING WITH PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

2009-06-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

My Compadres

2009-06-13T20:05:00.001-07:00

Look who got to be front and center. That's what happens when you let your Facilities Manager take the picture.

WAKE UP, WAKE UP

2009-06-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

So said my 4-footed alarm clocks both this morning and this evening. They know when it is 6:00.

Lark is in the hills playing golf, staying at a half million dollar "cabin" on a lake, for 2 days so I'm on my own, and loving it. I got up this morning at 6:00 when summoned, fed the cats, made chili for my lunch, did several loads of "dry-cleaning", played on the computer, did some digital scrapping, watched several episodes of NCIS, ate 3 bowls of my chili, then took a nap.

I was summoned again at 6:00 pm. Now I'm ready for part 2 of my day. I'll probably be up all night, but I can live with that.

Got a call from Kathy this morning that there was an accident outside my office. She couldn't see the building for the emergency vehicles, but it looked like it was intact. I didn't even bother to check it out. I'm on call so if it was anything worth worrying about, I'd get paged.

Just went out to get the mail. We have new neighbors that have taken over the street, literally. They have 3 cars, a boat and a jeep with flat tires. He's turning the garage into a "man cave" so they won't park anything in the garage. He's also tearing out his old fence and throwing the old planks in the street for city pick up, which they only will do once a month and just did it, for him, last week. Today there is a block long 5th wheel, still attached to the monster truck, parked across the front of the house, so they've taken over every bare space on the street for their vehicles. The boat ended up on the corner next to my driveway. Did I mention that there are only 2 of them living in the house? Between them and the house down the street with the junk piled in the driveway, we look like a scrap yard.

Love the weather. Been low 80's for weeks. It's mid June for Heaven's sake. It should be 90-110. I'm enjoying it while I can. We have one weather-guy who keeps talking about our monsoonal moisture. Great term. It can monsoon all it wants if I get to keep this with the slight breeze.

No State budget. What else is new? Everyday is a worse proposal. Now the State wants to borrow from the Counties. Who are they kidding? It is ugly in California. One of my co-workers was talking about legislators yesterday. I swore I heard her say Legislative Whores. She says that's not what she said, but it fits anyway. We have one program that defers jail time for certain drug offenders if they get treatment. Arnold has been trying to defund it since he got into office. The local law enforcement agencies hate the program, saying it doesn't work and decriminalizes drug use. Now it looks like it will finally get eliminated, but law enforcement has now decided it will impact their staffing too much, so they want it kept. I started calling them Grant Sluts. So we have Legislative Whores and Grant Sluts. No wonder California is a mess. To really show what a mess it is, I'm working on 2 board of supervisors agendas to go on the same day. One to eliminate the program I just mentioned and one to add $7million in prevention dollars. Weird.

But for now, I'm appreciating my quiet at home. Thinking about a bubble bath.

ps - speaking of weird, my latest allergic reaction - red and yellow coated generic Tylenol.
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PS

2009-06-07T14:09:00.001-07:00

I just got my first Shutterfly album. It was a freebie. It turned out great. I even impressed Lark.
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Never Elect An Action Hero Governor!

2009-06-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

Of course, he'll blame California's woes on Gray Davis who was in office about 5 minutes before he was recalled. He's spent millions on 2 special elections that both failed. I think he should have to reimburse every County for the costs. Now he's taking every General Fund penny from Counties. California is going to hell in a handbasket (whatever that means) and soon. There will be no public services. I want to move to Georgia. If I was even close to retiring I might consider it. Hell I may be one of the only County employees left pretty soon. I have more seniority than most.

I have now joined the ranks of Chiropractor devotees. My neck has been bothering me for some time, so I finally broke down and went to Lark's guy. He's a cutie. Probably the same height as Gary. His professional opinion is that my neck is "all boogered up" and has been for several years. I'm on the 15 session, re-eval plan. My neck hurt all day yesterday. Of course it is in spots it hasn't been in for years. I have another session Monday morning. Luckily he is 5 minutes from my office...if that.

New obsessions - Burn Notice (that guy has big teeth) and In Plain Sight (Mary says all the things I want to but can't without getting fired). I also watched the firtst episode of Royal Pains..pretty good.

Did you know that the current leader in golf's "prestigious" Memorial tournament is from Spring Creek? Yep, Matt Bettencourt. Lark plays with his dad quite often. He is currently the talk of the club. I'm just hoping he doesn't implode in today's final.

Kathy's back from Tennessee and survived. However, I don't believe she'll be going again anytime soon. Got left with StepMummy while everyone else went to Dollywood. Kathy says she huffed and puffed and slammed things until she finally took a nap and calmed down. She's a piece of work.

Till the next time Arnold does something stupid.
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A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

2009-05-31T11:50:00.001-07:00

Or in this case digital wordart. Thanks to Elegant Word Art by Bethany.

So far Yellow Dye #5 seems to be the common denominator. But I'm not ruling out Green 8 or Red 40. go figure.....
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Recent Pics

2009-05-30T09:44:00.001-07:00

This from Monday's trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. We bought season passes for $5 more than the regular price. This forces us to go more often. Formerly Marine World/Africa USA. So there's animals, SeaWorld type shows and ride. We just wandered and ate on this trip. We did see the SeaLion show and were very disappointed at the Whale Show. Keiko was being uncooperative so they cut it short. Just splashed the kids to make them happy. We decided we had plenty of opportunities for rides and more shows next time(s).

This is from March's Beer and Jelly Bean Road Trip. Not the most flattering shot, but a souvy just the same.

Allergies, Allergies and More Allergies

2009-05-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

I've got a new one, but don't know what it it. I'm getting so tired of this. I hit 50 and my body is revolting (in more ways than one).

I bought Skittles Sours at Discovery Kingdom on Monday when we went. I've nibbled on them for 3 days. On the fourth day all hell broke loose. They were the only thing I had eaten that day so it was pretty obvious what set me off. My throat swelled and I got a lump in it. Went home, took a benedryl and crashed. Next day, still swollen. The benedryl always works. Called the allergist who said it is either the dyes in the candy or one of the artificial flavors. But since Skittles is full of so many, there's no way to tell. She gave me a shot of dekatrin in the butt and script for Prednazone and told to make sure I always have it on hand with my EpiPen.

She told me she had a patient who was allergic to Red Dye 40. They didn't know it until he started listing the items he'd eaten and had reactions to...Big Red gum, Laffy Taffy and some else that was red. Unfortunately, I threw away the remaining skittles and the bag, so I can't check and haven't found the sours anywhere yet. I looked at a regular skittles package and sure enough - red dye 40. So now I have a notebook to keep track of what sets me off. particularly watch for red stuff. I'm sitting here eating toast with Pomegranite jelly on it. Very red, but also homemade and I'm pretty sure the red is the pom seeds. Carol would have no need to color it.

Kathy, Vicki and I went to see Menopause, the Musical last Tuesday. What a Hoot! We are trying to decide if we want to spend the $$$ to Wicked! in SF before it goes away again. We keep missing it and this may be our last chance.

Scooby is demanding to be picked up (he's not really spoiled) and I can't type and scratch at the same time. Bravo Yankee Echo (too much NCIS).
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Yes, I'm still alive

2009-05-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

but barely. May has been a hell of a month. We started the month at work thinking that we were going to cut $6.9 million from our budget and layoff 24 people. We ended up cutting $4.5 million and only laying off 5 staff. Most people would think this was a good thing. However, some of the County powers that be think that the Assistant Director at BHRS is incompetent. The last two weeks have been hell, with me at work or in meetings until 10:00pm. Luckily the Board of Supervisors thinks it's a good thing, so I may still have a job next week. We'll see.

Then....................all of Arnold's "Take it to the People" budget saving propositions failed. The other shoe is about to drop. California has a $24 billion deficit. We know at least one drug and alcohol program is being cut, which severely impacts our residential substance abuse program. All the fun is about to start over.

Other News:

I took a mini vacation with a 4 day weekend. It won't change anything at work, but let me sleep for awhile.

Lark is enjoying retirement. He's become quite good at "Breakfast ala Lark" (cinnamon rolls and bacon), the laundry and running errands.......and still getting golf in. He's taking guitar lessons every Monday. Today had an ephiphany that he can play the right chords, but is a white guy and has no soul.

Kathy leaves next week for 7 days with her dad & stepmummy in Tennessee, along with her brother, his wife and 2 kids. Peggy will freak. I'd love to have a hidden camera.

Vicki is going to be a grandma again. Oldest son Jake and his wife Carina. They'll know next month what they are going to have. Due in October.

Us girls have tickets for Menopause the Musical on Tuesday. I managed to get the balcony's cushy seats. I'm really looking forward to that. One of Kathy's clients gave her tickets to see Hairspray earlier in the month. That was fun - except for the parking ticket.

Vicki decided we needed pedicures to get me out of my funk, so the 3 of us took over a nail spa and have very pretty toes.

We, the girls, also bought an annual pass for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo and plan to try it out tomorrow.

Only four months to Myrtle Beach. Lark is still trying to find cheap flights. He's now thinking of going into Charleston and driving to Myrtle Beach. According to Mapquest it's 8 hours from Maitland.

I smell ribs, so Lark must have put them on. Later...............

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Posting Assignment 1 for Scrapping Boot Camp

2009-05-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 7

2009-04-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

March 27, 2009

On our own in Seville. After breakfast several of us made the walking trek to the city center for shopping. Ceil bought sensible shoes. I bought these:

Yep, they are PURPLE.

After lunch, 5 of us ended up at the Cathedral, where we all decided we wanted to go to the Macarena, no not the dance, the church. Not knowing how to get there, we negotiated with a carriage driver to take the five of us for 40euros. A deal, considering it was quite a trip.

When we got there the Basillica was closed until 5:00, because everything closes between 2 & 5. We wandered down the old wall-fortress of the city and ended up at a little cerveceria across from the church.

After seeing the crying virgin and praying for World Peace, we took 2 taxis back to the hotel. Dinner was an adventure. Try to find something open in Seville before 9:00pm. We found a place down the street from the hotel and were the only people there. However, as we were leaving the locals were coming in.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 6

2009-04-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

March 26, 2009

Seville, pronounced Se Vee Ya. Started the day with a guided tour with Mariangles who asked us to call her Maria. Seville is a beautiful city. We drove past the Parque de Maria Luisa. A beautiful park and gardens. The road led to the area designed for the 1929 Ibero-American World’s Fair and still contains the buildings that were exhibits for most Latin & American countries. At the end is the Plaza de España, the center piece of the fair, and the palace of Star Wars’ Queen Amadala. The Plaza is massive and has a intricate tile display from every Spanish province.

This is only about 1/3 of the full size of the Plaza

From there we visited the Alcázar (in Spain pronounced Al Cath Ar), built by Pedro the Cruel in the 14th century and later the home of Prince Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The Alcazar has a very Moorish influence. It borders the Jewish district of Santa Cruz, with very-very narrow streets. The walking tour ended in a flower-lined courtyard in which we stopped for coffee (Bica is Café Solo in Spain) and I got Strawberry Ice Cream…which was my fave on this trip since I couldn’t have chocolate.

Next stop was the cathedral which occupies the site of a mosque built by the Almohads in the 12th century (yes this is out of the guide book). The cathedral is the 3rd largest in the world according to Maria and contains the dna-proven remains of Christopher Columbus.

Chris is in the casket that the lords are carrying

We were turned loose after the Cathedral. Ceil, both Pats and I ate Paella at an outdoor café. After lunch we wandered the streets of old Seville and then met Roberta at the appointed spot at 3:00. From there we walked (me, very slowly) across the Rio Guadalquivir back to our hotel. It really wasn’t that far, I’m just out of shape big time.

The day ended with a carriage ride through the old town to a Flamenco show. Loved both the carriage ride and the show. We had front row seats and were encouraged by Roberta to shout ole when there was something we liked. We each got a free drink...water, soda or Sangria. I had the Sangria and survived, even though red wine makes me ill.

Our bus driver picked us up after the show and dropped us at the hotel. From there most of us walked to the river with Roberta and had tapas on the sidewalk/riverbank. It was about 9:00 pm and Seville was just revving up. Most restaurants don’t even open until 9:00. After dinner, Ceil, Pat and I stopped in the hotel bar for a nightcap.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 5

2009-04-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

March 25, 2009

On to Seville and a five hour bus ride. Outside of Seville is the town of Italica which has an excavated Roman amphitheater.

We made a brief stop and then on to Seville. Our hotel had a nice little courtyard with a patio. After unpacking, Ceil, Pat & I headed for the bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. The tiny bar was smoky so we took our drinks outside. Already there was a couple from Connecticut whose daughter was in school in Seville. They were eating the most wonderful looking olives, so we ordered some from the bar. Big Spanish Olives soaked in garlic…heaven. Pat doesn’t like olives so Ceil and I gorged ourselves. Later the couple went in and gave us what was left of their olives. By that time we were joined by others from our group and shared the remaining olives with us. This started our trend of olives at every meal and bar stop. Dinner was at the hotel and so-so. For dessert we were offered ice cream or fruit. Those who chose fruit got a tangerine and a hard pear.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 4

2009-04-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

March 24, 2009

TRAINS, TROLLEYS and TAXI CABS

Excursion to Sintra, the quaint town in the hill’s beyond Lisbon and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Sintra Palace once served as the summer home of Portuguese royalty. Our guide was Annabella, who we all thought would be a great EF tour guides handling kids. Directive would be a good word to describe her. She steered us towards a pastry shop and then almost got into an argument with Roberta over which pastry was best. I ended up going with her suggestion only because Roberta's had almonds in it.

After Bica and pastries in Sintra, we took a trip down the hill to the Atlantic Coast. Several of our group were disappointed that we didn’t have more time in this area, so Roberta gave us the option of staying in Cascais and taking the train back to Lisbon, or going back on the bus with her. Most of us stayed in Cascais for a new adventure. that would have never happened on an EF tour.

More narrow streets. I like the wave effect.

Our lunch view.

and of course, tourists (Ceil, Bev & Julie) with their feet in the Atlantic.

The trip back went very well considering none of us new what the heck we were doing and it was "rush hour". We had to change trains about 2 stations after Cascais, but the next trip was right behind us.

We got off in Belem and attempted to find the Starbucks. After significant walking, we did. It was right across the street from the Monsteiro dos Jeronimos, one big-honking church built in 1502. Barbara, Carol, Pat & I went in to the Church, prayed for World Peace. When we came out the monastery and museum was closed, so we headed back to Starbucks. Met up with Julie, Karen and Jennifer and decided to tag along with them to find a place to eat. They guided us to the trolley, which we rode to the end of the line and then walked up hill to the Barrio Alto to eat. I almost thought I wouldn't make it. Ceil and Virginia took pity on me and stuck with. Which almost got Ceil hit by an ambulance when it when up on the sidewalk to get around the traffic that wasn't moving out of it's way. The 7 of us ate at a very nice sidewalk cafe and were given mega-attention by the waiters. Although I didn't have it, this was my introduction to Garlic Soup, which I had several times following. After dinner, Julie, Karen and Jennifer hung around and took the metro back to our hotel. Ceil, Pat, Virginia and I completed our multi-mode of public transportation with a cab ride.

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 3

2009-04-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

March 23, 2009

Our day started at 9:00 with a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon with Raphaella, our local guide. In Portugal, R’s are pronounced liked Hs, so Raphaella was pronounced Haphaella. Raphaella also taught us the word for very strong espresso "BICA", which Ceil and I tried often.

Raphaella showing us the Explorers map in Belem.

To quote from the GoAhead Guide “recall the great explorers from Portugal’s past as you stroll the riverside Belém precinct, and visit Ajuda Palace, a former royal residence. Travel through the narrow streets of the Moorish Alfama district, along the Tagus River, and into the Barrio Alto”, which is exactly what we did. I was awed by the narrow streets that are still used by cars (very small cars).

Ceil, Pat & I at the Belem Tower

The afternoon was on our own. We “wandered the streets” of Lisbon and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. No running to keep up with our guide, no having to be at a specific location at a specific time. Leisure time really was leisure time.

strolling Lisbon's version of the Champs Elysee

the tram to the top of the Barrio Alto. The picture does not do the incline justice.

Overlooking Lisbon from the Barrio Alto

Wandering tourists seeking liquid refreshment

and, the obligatory stop at the Hard Rock

Day 3 Evening was spent at a traditional Portuguese tavern listening to “the beautiful and haunting strains of fado music”, one of the oldest urban folk music in the world.

a good time was had by all

ADVENTURES IN PORTUGAL & SPAIN - Day 2

2009-04-19T12:25:00.001-07:00

March 22, 2009 - Lisbon

Our guide, Roberta, was waiting for us at the airport. We were in and out of there quickly, amazed that we did not have to clear Customs again. As long as the countries visited are in the European Union, tourists only have to hit Customs at the point of entry.

Roberta was a doll. She was from Brazil, but lived in Spain and spoke fluent Portuguese. She quickly became one of the girls.

After dropping us off at our hotel, we had time to get settled, then met back downstairs for a quick briefing. There were 15 in our group, but 10 more travelers were added to bring us to 25, a very manageable number…and all adults!

Roberta gave us options for the afternoon on our own. She strongly recommended the Museu Gulbenkian which was within walking distance and free on Sunday. Several of us took off for the museum and FINALLY found what we thought was the correct museum. What we found was the Modern Art museum and weren’t real impressed with the display of “arranged chairs” or the “toilet paper roll” sculpture. We got a little too close to the toilet paper rolls and were admonished by the guard. Feeling totally uninspired, we wandered the grounds and found the cafeteria. After lunch about half of us went back to the hotel. The other half actually found the real museum…right behind the cafeteria. Apparently it was worth the hunt.

Our first night, we had a welcome dinner with traditional Portuguese food. What stands out was the egg and cod mixture that is a company tradition in Portugal. I at least tasted it.