From Beira Gare to Santini

A day with my dear friend C. in Lisbon and Cascais

I and my friend C. met in the beautiful Neo-Manueline Rossio Railway Station (Estação do Rossio) in Lisbon. Our meeting place was not chosen by chance.You see, I wanted to go to the restaurant in front, the Beira Gare, to eat a simple Bifana. While waiting for my dear friend, I was happy to see that the Beira Gare was still open and full of customers. I was afraid that due to the economical crisis this picturesque restaurant would have closed its doors. But no, Beira Gare was still alive and kicking.

From Férias Portugal 2012

Beira Gare's Bifana, is really, really delicious and considered by many the best in Lisbon! A Bifana is a sandwich of pork fried in garlic and white wine and served in a heated bread. I simply love it!! And it is so cheap: 2.40€!!! Can you believe it?! Give it a try if you go to Lisbon!

After our lunch we walked until the Cais do Sodré railway station where we took the train to Cascais. For a half hour we enjoyed the Tagus River and then the Atlantic Ocean amazing views. Arriving in Cascais railway station, we went to the beach nearby, Praia da Conceição. After enjoying a splendid sunny afternoon there, we went finally to Santini for a delicious ice-cream.
In this photo, my friend C. is holding my mango and strawberry ice-cream. Looks yummy, don't you think?

From Férias Portugal 2012

Santini ice-salon opened its doors in 1949 in Cascais. Soon became well-known for the quality of its ice-creams. The European Royal families living in exile in Cascais - from Spain and Italy among others - soon became Attílio Santini's customers and developed a friendly relationship with him and his family. Along the years going to Santini to eat an ice-cream became a delicious tradition when in Cascais.

Holidays in Portugal

I almost wasn't able to go to Portugal last September. My cat Fofinho has been very ill,demanding constant care and attention. This time, we couldn't ask our neighbors to take care of him. Too much work and responsibility...

So, my husband stayed here with him and I managed to go to Portugal  to visit my mother, the family and a couple of  friends.

My mother's health has been worse - she has many difficulties to walk and a lot of pain in her back and legs- and I wanted to spend some time with her and take some measures to make her life easier and comfortable.

I arrived in Portugal very tired since I hadn't been sleeping very much due to my cat's situation. I wasn't feeling very relaxed either, fearing that something might happen to Fofinho while I was in Portugal and my husband would have to deal alone with some unpleasant and painful situation. The expectations given by the vet were very bad...

My stay in Portugal was a bit depressing since I found some of my friends and relatives facing serious economical troubles.Every year I go to Portugal, the economical situation looks worse than before. Some of my friends have lost their jobs, other needed to close their businesses, etc, etc...

Meanwhile, we almost lost Fofinho during my short stay there, but since I arrived to the NL, he looks better.Let's see how it goes. I keep going with all the treatments. Soon, I will write a post all about it.

I have so many things on my mind now- I feel like I have two lives, one here, one there- that my mood for blogging has been very low.I 'm now trying, for example, to understand all the new rules and taxes of the Portuguese State Budget 2013, so I can explain to my mother in the best possible way how she will be affected by all this mess. The economical situation in Portugal is critical than ever and this time, she will lose a considerable deal of money that could be used, for example, in thermal treatments or to help paying someone to take good care of her at home a couple years from now.

Nevertheless, Portugal is still for me the most beautiful country in the world, and for some moments, I was able to forget all my fears and worries...:-)

Portugal, September 2012

Alcochete

From Férias Portugal 2012

Cascais

From Férias Portugal 2012

Galapos, Setúbal

From Férias Portugal 2012

 Lisbon, Parque das Nações

From Férias Portugal 2012