September 28, 2022
I’m wrapping up a three-and-a-half-week visit to Portugal as I make my way over to Seville. Before this trip, I had only spent a day in Portugal. Why? I have a love of Spain that I just can’t shake. Every time I leave, I want to return immediately.
Since I was spending three months in Europe, friends talked me into giving Portugal a chance. I must admit, it did not disappoint. I found the Portuguese people warm and welcoming. In all honesty, Portuguese food is better than Spanish food. (Sorry, Spain; I still love you with my heart and soul.)
One of Portugal’s trademarks is its stone sidewalks. It’s a rather clever idea. The stones are primarily black and white basalt set in as pavers which can be removed or replaced easily for maintenance. When work needs to be done, the stones are removed and can be replaced in the same pattern. There are numerous delightful patterns, especially in Lisbon.
The problem with these walkways is that they can be uneven and sometimes slick when it rains. I have stepped through some rather treacherous spots thinking, “What would this be like if I were in my seventies or eighties?” Apparently, some Portuguese people believe it is time to do away with them, while others are clamoring to keep the tradition.
The other problem is that they are hard on the feet. When walking on the city sidewalks, it is more like hiking on a rocky trail. The bottoms of my feet were aching terribly after the first couple of days in Porto, driving me to buy a new pair of sneakers with extra cushion and regretting that I left the Hokas back in the US.
And when I arrived in Lisbon, one of those stone sidewalks did a final number on my suitcase, completely removing the rubber on one of the wheels. I ended up dragging rather than rolling it to my rental apartment.
Still, I’m not angry with the sidewalks. People will tell you that Portugal is a little more rustic than the rest of Europe. The sidewalks are part of that rustic charm!
I guess I will be shopping for a new suitcase in Spain.
Here’s a sampling of some of my favorite sidewalks and plazas:
Wandering Shannon 