Saudações From Lisbon, Portugal

We met with our British/Spoleto friends, Ian and Eileen, at the airport and ubered to our über home for four nights.

We are beyond excited by our housing choice. These are the views out our windows. So authentic and awesome.

These are scenes from our street. Wow, right?

After settling in in our apartment, we strolled to the market for our supplies. What discoveries were found around each corner.

Our apartment is in the Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon, spreading on the slope between the São Jorge Castle and the Tejo river. Its name comes from the Arabic Al-hamma, meaning "hot fountains" or "baths". It contains many important historical attractions, as well as an abundance of Fado bars and restaurants. We are beyond excited to explore it all.

Dinner was at the local Restaurante Aviz, recommended by our hostess, Isabelle. The experience did not disappoint.

The sardines were a huge hit with Ian and Eileen.

Portugal is a seafaring nation with a well-developed fishing industry and this is reflected in the amount of fish and seafood eaten. The country has Europe's highest fish consumption per capita and is among the top four in the world for this indicator. Foremost amongst these is bacalhau (cod), which is the type of fish most consumed here. It is said that there are more than 365 ways to cook cod, one for every day of the year. Cod is almost always used dried and salted, because the Portuguese fishing tradition in the North Atlantic developed before the invention of refrigeration—therefore it needs to be soaked in water or sometimes milk before cooking. Steve chose this traditional dish and it was good.