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Jan. 22: It's a little damp in here

We knew winter in Portugal would be a little damp and rainy, but were hopeful that that would be contained to the great outdoors. Turns out Portuguese apartments, like many across Europe, are lacking in a bit of insulation. Our apartment is also lacking in having any source of heat. We have nothing. Our only source of heat is the sun, on our little front balcony, when it comes out.  So it was off to the local store to purchase an electric heater. For 24 hours, it helped, but then it conked out. Stay tuned to this part of the story to see what happens next, if we can get a refund or exchange, and if that will maybe last a bit longer. Meanwhile we're figuring out how to stay dry, and thus warm, and not letting it get to us. We pile on the extra layers and whatever non-musty blankets we can find. The sun came out today at least in full force, and that made a huge difference. Wandering around the local neighbourhood gives a very authentic glimpse of daily life in urban Portugal, from corner stores and fruit markets to little playgrounds and lots of graffiti.  We're starting to feel adjusted settled. But is there anything else we can do about the damp? * The view in this episode's cover art picture is of the National Pena Palace on top of the distant hill, from the corner of our balcony.

Jan. 19: Arriving At Our New Home

After 9 days of intense travel, we arrive at our new home for the next 4 weeks. The apartment is much bigger than expected, or was reflected in the listing. No issues there! We even have 3 bedrooms, so if you're in Lisbon before Feb. 18, we may have a spare bed for you. Send me a message via one of my social media accounts. We had some time to maximize in between leaving the Lisbon Calling hostel and catching the train out to our suburb of Rinchoa. We needed something affordable, fun and not too short.  The fast ferries beckoned, so we found our way to the ferry terminal and tried to figure out the tickets and schedule. We knew on the other side of the Rio Tejo there would be even less English, but we were ready for the challenge!

Jan. 18: Our Arrival in Lisbon, the Best Day Yet

We make it to Lisbon, and the trip really comes alive.  Gaining an hour from Spain helps extend the day, and sunny warm weather gives a big boost of energy. We depart Madrid, fly to Lisbon, make it into the city from the airport, check in to our hostel, and still have time to ride innumerable trams, metros and more. We explore the city centre and start piecing the puzzle together of what is this place and where everything is. Lisbon is a stunning city full of squares, monuments and majestic buildings. It has an old-world feel that is well worn and much loved. The modern has not quite crept into the old city centre, instead it's quirky trams, rumbling through the streets, multicoloured buildings and 18th century architecture. It is both affordable and good value. The kids had a great time on the trams, elevadors and running through the many parks and terraces. All this in one day. 28 more in Lisbon ahead of us!

Jan. 17: Paella, pero no parque...

It was a bit of a hit and miss day today. We enjoyed the Hop On/Hop Off tour, even though it was €25 per adult, but you get a lot of flexibility and information too. It allowed us to see parts of the city that would have taken a lot more effort otherwise, hence we probably wouldn't have seen them. Our plan of exploring the giant Parque de el Retiro however was unexpectedly cancelled, as you'll hear in this episode. It turns out even the day before it was shut down too, so either way we would have missed it. But we did find our paella, and that at least brought the day to a nice conclusion. Do you know how to order water at a restaurant that won't cost you €4? Or how to make sure that you don't get caught out in the rich upscale part of town with two hungry kids? Listen in to find out! Madrid has been a mixed bag but we're very glad we came to see it, and understand it much better now. Tomorrow it is on to Portugal at last, and we can't wait.

Jan. 16: A Visit to the Royal Palace

It's a pretty cold, windy day here in Madrid, high up on the plateau, and we're getting the full brunt of it while waiting for the free entry into the Royal Palace, the Palacio Real. Walking around the central city though has been fun, seeing sights like the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via and Teatro Real. We also find some great authentic tacos for a mid-afternoon snack, a solid import from Mexico. The Royal Palace is the largest of its kind in Europe, and certainly an impressive Baroque structure. It is a glimpse into the staid and strict lives of royalty from the early 19th century, and yet it remains in active use for state ceremonies and banquets. Surprisingly though, it could use a coat of paint in more than a few places. We kept a relaxed pace to the day, and look forward to the bus tour tomorrow and exploring Parque de el Retiro. And hopefully finding some authentic paella! For the moment though, we made it ourselves, and found a very solid €2.60 bottle of wine to go with it.