Having a tradional Portuguese meal.
Friday, July 12, 2013
High up on Santa Luzia
Took the elevator tram up to see Santa Lucia high above Viana do Castello. This is scary high.
The elevator tram was interesting because there are two cars but one track. I will post a video when I have time showing how it's done.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
European Contradictions
A few things strike me as unusual in Europe.
Here are some examples:
They are concerned about their privacy and then tell you they need to take a piss.
They have had refrigeration forever and shop frequently. They talk about the healthiness of fresh home cooked meals. Yet they freak out about the short shelf life of fresh milk and eggs. Coming from Canada it is freaky to see eggs on an unrefrigerated shelf.
Monday, July 8, 2013
European Vacation - Day 19
What can I say. Internet access for the last two weeks has been sporadic.
Android and iOS need at least a gig a month. Most of that is usually over WiFi. If you don't have that then you tend to blow your data caps.
Solution on Android is to shutdown background data which also messes with apps that rely on it. Blogger app is one of them.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Is Portugal closed for business?
Just learned how business operates in Portugal. This is insane.
Strictly oriented to well financed operations with solid business plans. I.E. no starting a business in your garage. F.Y.I. You need to submit a business plan to get a business license. A lead economist has suggested that all small businesses should close for being inefficient.
Tax system is so regimented that all major goods are tracked from factory/import to retail sale to make sure the government gets there cut from every distributer, retailer and shipping company (there are various tariffs on the shipping of goods). The tax man for all intended purposes runs an inventory tracking system. This is big government at its worse.
Friday, June 28, 2013
European Vacation - Day 9
Doing some business for the family this morning. This afternoon will be either beach or sightseeing.
Did both. Went to the horse fair in Ponte De Lima and then for a swim in the Rio Vez.
Tomorrow we are going to Guimaraes.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
European Vacation - Day 8
Decompressing in Portugal.
Travel from Paris was long. Arrived early because our ride anticipated delays. Weather was delaying traffic all week but instead everything ran perfectly. Plane was late arriving in Porto and car rental was busy so we were almost two hours late getting on the road.
Bonus: we got a free rental upgrade!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
European Vacation - Off to Portugal
Goodbye Paris. It's been a slice.
Maybe able to be back for a few days next year. Starting to get a hang of the transit system and Paris in general. Hopefully next time we can spend more time sightseeing.
Definitely the crazy ex-girlfriend.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
European Vacation - Day 4
Versailles is spectacular. Although it was a cloudy day the golden gates and the gold trim on the roof still shined. It was sunny for a short period and it glowed. The hall of mirrors was bright even with the curtains closed. If megalomania built the Louvre, imagine the guy who built this place.
As far as the tour goes, the only peeve I have is that the route through the museum is serial. In at the entrance and out the exit. Security stops you from doubling back at the numerous check points. We missed the restaurant and were told we could get to it by starting the tour over. Thankful we were still in the museum and wouldn't have to go back through ticketing. Instead we went out through the side entrance and had lunch at a small cafe instead. Much cheaper too.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
My impressions of Paris
What is there to say about Paris that hasn't already been said or portrayed in media?
Paris is your crazy girlfriend.
Catacombs of Paris
The entrance is narrow so it is easy to assume that it is all medieval narrow. The actual crypts are much wider and taller. Ranges between 4 and 8 feet wide and the ceiling is rarely lower than 6 feet. Place is littered with sayings and quotes about the dead, the afterlife, respect and living for the day.
European Vacation - Day 3
Spent most of the day at the Louvre. Thankfully we got in early and got half way through before it got really busy.
Half way through our visit of course. You cannot visit the Louvre in a week or a month. We may need to invent a word to describe how big this place is. Can you say Louvre sized? Given it is a former palace, it gives you an idea of just how bad the megalomania was of French leadership. If you stripped the Louvre of all the additional artwork, the building alone would qualify as a work of art.
One comment on the Mona Lisa. It is now famous for being famous. If it was alive it would be Paris Hilton. Did I just compare those two?
P.S. Don't complain about the day numbering. Yesterday didn't happen and we will not speak of it again. Okay. Maybe. Three drink minimum.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
European Vacation - Day 2
Rain appears to be the order of the day. Flight was late. Traffic was slow.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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