We finished with the Colorado diversion and headed to the Denver airport. We were happy to return the rental car knowing that for the next 5+ weeks most of our travel will be on foot. It was an easy check in and then an overnight flight to Dublin. With only some dozing I was rather tired as any of you who have flown those flights know. But then came the interminable wait for our next flight. Seven hours. The Dublin airport is not conducive to a restful long stay. We made the best of it we could and happily got on the flight to Lisbon.

Three hours later we were off the plane and wonderfully zipped through immigration and found our one small checked bag that contained our hiking poles, umbrellas and other gear. We grabbed a waiting taxi and drove over to our first hostel, the Poets Inn. We chose that for its central location but also because it had a good system for us to get in late at night.

We all zonked out, thrilled to have beds and pillows and no need to even pull out sleeping bags. I was amazed when we woke and found it to almost be 9 am! By then we were hungry so we quickly dressed and headed out to a nearby cafe that Mandy found on Happy Cow. They had a vegan brunch! Yum. And of course, espresso Americanos for the two coffee lovers. I have to once again get used to smaller and fewer coffees.

Once we were filled up we headed back to the hostel and picked up our packs. We decided to do our intro to Lisbon walk with not quite full packs just to get a bit of a shake down as we’re all using new packs that the company Mandy reps for got us. They were specifically designed for a Camino hike so we’re testing them out to provide feedback.

We caught an Uber to head down to the river’s edge to begin our exploration at the Belem Tower. It was originally built as a fortress then was used as a monastery. There we also met our first pair of fellow pilgrims. After trying a few languages we determined they were French. Our walk continued along the waterfront to the discovery monument and to the roof of the science museum where we had a great view of the bridge that resembles the Golden Gate. Along the way we glimpsed our first of the decorated walkways. Even the ground is decorated here not just walls with all the beautiful tile and murals.

Eventually we left the waterfront and began meandering through the city streets. Hills, hills and more hills. And stairs. And lots of people. We found a Basilica that gave us our first stamp in our pilgrim credential. Not the Se Cathedral which is typically the start, but of all things it wasn’t open on a Sunday!

Later along the way Mandy found the singular pilgrim office in Lisbon. There we found a most informative and helpful woman from whom we got our Camino shells and scoop about changes to the initial few stages of the hike. Most pilgrims hang a scallop shell off their packs to denote them as such.

Further along we finally stopped to buy bottles of icy cold water. Delightful on such a hot day after sweating through our attire.

More hills and stairs later we wended our way back to the hostel. Showers came first then serious packing pulling in the extras from our checked bag. And now we’re off to walk another mile to meet a hiking friend of Mandy and Karma, whom they met on the CDT for dinner.

Today’s total was 7.3 miles (before dinner!)