Exciting... the first trip out of Germany together. However, Josh and I took different flights. Josh's flight was at 8:30 a.m. and had a 10 hour lay over in Frankfurt and I had a 3 hour direct flight at 10:55 a.m. (Since he is considered a US employee, his ticket was purchased through the US side. Josh got my ticket through one of European airlines Germanwings. What a good husband!)
Fist encounter --
I landed around noon Lisbon time, got my baggage, and waited for a taxi. I saw a man behind me holding a piece of paper appeared to be the same hotel as Josh and I would be staying. I asked him if he would like to share a taxi with me since I was going there too. So we did and on the way we chatted about the reason of visiting Lisbon. I told him that I was coming with my husband, but he had to take a different flight and layover in Frankfurt for 10 hours. He immediately said "Joshua!" "Yes!", I said and thought...lucky me to ran into someone Josh knew. Joyachim (His name I learned in the taxi ride. It is pronounced like "Yoahim") checked in the hotel and I checked my baggage at the desk, then we went out wondering around the city together.
Second encounter --
Joyachim and I took a subway to downtown and changed to a bus to Belem. There were not that many people got on or were on the bus. However, just we were trying to figure out how to purchase bus tickets (there are two ticket vending machines on each bus and they only take coins.) we suddenly got a lot of pushes around us. I felt like everyone suddenly was in line and buying tickets at the same time while we were figuring the system out. Then, I saw a ugly hang hiding underneath a coat was approaching my wallet. I followed the hand, looked up with a unbelievable stare, and started thinking out loud in English... this is crazy... how can they be so brave... stealing people's money on a day light! Blah blah blah... I was going nuts... until I saw Joyachim holding his wallet like holding a life preserver. I realized that I was blabbering. I calmed down finally and was glad that Yoyachim was with me. Later, I took money out of my wallet and put them in my frond pocket and checked if they were still in my pocket every 5 minutes.
The rest of day went well. Yoyachim and I wondered around in Belem. We saw the Monument to the Discoveries, Torre de Belem, and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos but didn't get inside. I thought I could do that another day when Josh is working. Then, we took a bus back to downtown and wondered around Baixa area. There are a lot of shoes stores...I was like...YA! I am in heaven! I love shoes shopping. Joyachim was like...Josh should keep your credit card for you. A smart guy!! (Apparently I was thinking out loud again.) We also ran into a gay parade. It was interesting. (Later that night back in the hotel room, I saw they even had a live concert in the center of downtown that continued from the gay parade earlier.) Joyahim and I ended our day with a local traditional meal. I had Fresh Seafood Rice...Yummy.
Josh arrived at the hotel around 10 p.m. and told me that he had an interesting day too. He ran into people who were coming to the HP conference and had a great time with them too.
What an interesting day for both of us! I wondered what the rest of the trip will be!!
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