I've been talking about my country too many times but i don't get to talk much about the city i live, Lisbon, or as we say in Portuguese Lisboa 里斯本.
Since there is too much to talk about this city, i'm going to divide this post into parts. I just think is too much information to write about in just one entry, besides i think it would get boring and tiring for anyone to fully read it.

Usually Portugal ( Lisbon more precisely ) is a sought destination when combined with Spain travelling packages, but when it comes to visit Portugal isolatedly...i guess i won't need to talk much about it. Oftenly, people compare three cities that make up the iberian peninsula: Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon. Usually there are two types of comments concerning Lisbon when it comes the moment to talk about the three forementioned cities:
1) Don't like Lisbon. Compared to Barcelona or Madrid, Lisbon seems like a slum house and not tourist friendly. But the people and the weather are nice.
2) Love Lisbon. Charming old city with lovely pastries compared to Paris and interesting architecture, a mixture of Paris and San Francisco.


But why there isn't a third option. An option that says, all of those cities are different and unique in their own way, and let's be frank, comparing Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona, is comparing oranges, apples and bananas. What do these fruits have in common? Nothing, except being fruits,

.


Lisbon is the oldest of the three cities, so it's not fair to compare which city is the best. Madrid is also not an ancient city like Lisbon. It was born in the 16th
century to become the nation’s capital in the middle of the Spanish
territory.
Lisbon on the other hand, is a city that was formed over
the centuries, with several incarnations, first as a Phoenician trading
port, then as a Moorish city, then the capital of the first
great modern empire, to a city isolated by dictatorship for much of the
20th century. It is a city that has been destroyed by battles, by one
of the greatest earthquakes ever recorded in human history, by tragic
fires.


In short, Lisbon was not “made” but rather a city that has
adapted for better or for worse, to its turbulent and remarkable
history. It is a city that is not meant to be imposing, but
a place that is truly seductive, again in my own opinion. I love both Barcelona and Madrid, but i don't consider any of them better than Lisbon, or vice-versa. They all have good and bad points like everything else. Sure, Lisbon might not be as well organized as Paris or cleaned-up-for-the-tourist-to-see cities of Spain, but it's still
a great authentic city.
Lisbon is a port city located on the banks of the Tagus River. Its charm and attraction for many tourists has a deep connection to Lisbon's strong links to the past. As someone walks down the city's streets, it is difficult not to notice the cultural richness of its heritage in all of the churches, castles and palaces. Lisbon is also knows as the " city of the seven hills ", mainly because it was originally built over seven hills, and so the best is to come prepared and bring with you a pair of good walking
shoes. Although you are visiting a European city and not a trek in the
jungle, it is best to keep in mind about that facet of Lisbon.
Another interesting thing about Lisbon ( and perhaps maybe Portugal too ) is the coffee culture found at every corner in the streets of Lisbon. Could actually might be compared to the attraction found by Italians and their coffee. As you'll be able to see, there's only two Starbucks coffee shops in Lisbon. Why?? Because competition is pretty high here when it comes to coffee.
And the same thing about pastries, usually France comes up in mind but Lisbon also has its own share of some of the best pastries found in Europe. To top all of that, Portugal is also ridiculously cheap when compared to other european cities and the weather is awesome, being one of the warmest capitals of Europe.
For the next article, i'm going to prepare something about what are the must-to-see-and-do attractions and things to be experienced in Lisbon. And just for the record, i'm not a good tourist guide

, i get lost in Lisbon occasionally, sometimes more than just occasionally, haha.
Some interesting links about Lisbon:
- Go Lisbon- Lisbon connection- In love with Lisbon
Retard Babe 2009-07-03 19:40
Bonequinho2009-07-03 21:45
Thoughts 2009-07-01 10:11
Bonequinho2009-07-01 13:15
Lisbon??? I have a better place for you retirement
≈★Roxy★≈ 2009-06-30 17:25
wow
i've visit some of them ,it's fantastic~
support u!
Bonequinho2009-06-30 19:12
幸福小妹 Nicole 2009-06-30 16:15
Good for you, it's really a nice city!!
Bonequinho2009-06-30 19:12
Stella Bella 2009-06-30 02:00
I met the rude ones in Paris. ho ho ho
I want to go to Porto next time. :)
Bonequinho2009-06-30 02:06
Stella Bella 2009-06-30 00:46
I did have a good time in Barcelona but my hubby's wallet got stolen there. lol That wasn't good really and I found the people there were not so friendly which was a bit strange because the Spanish people I met in London were very nice.
So when we were in Lisbon, we were very happy and amazed by the lovely people we met. They smiled a lot. We even chatted with some local people there. ^^ It was just brilliant to be there.
We also checked out some clubs and bars near Chiado area. There was a nice crowd there. :) Very friendly people! Not dangerous like Barcelona! lol
Bonequinho2009-06-30 01:46
I love Madrid and Barcelona as i mentioned before, but i also love my city. Tell you something, usually French people are known to be a bit arrogant and not polite, but every french guy or girl i met overseas is extremely nice.
Usually people consider Portuguese people to be sad, but you have to come to Portugal to realize how wrong those assumptions. I guess it's because of the Fado music. Next time go to the Docas area or Parque das Naçoes...very nice lounge bars and pubs
噢! 地利 ..Oh!tria 2009-06-29 05:56
Ta 2009-06-29 01:07
The pictures you have picked for this entry are all very beautiful
!! That's right that it's not fair to compare the cities. They have different elements which have made them unique and beautiful in different aspects.
Please we are all waiting for what the "must-do-and-see" attractions...
Remember to keep your momentum going... haha
Bonequinho2009-06-29 02:48
A friend of a blogger who came to Lisbon for a visit, compared Lisbon with Barcelona, not night life but shopping, but here's something interesting...She spent more than 5 days in Barcelona and just one in Lisbon, and then i heard Lisbon isn't a shopping paradise like Barcelona and the funny thing is she joined a tour bus to visit Lisbon. I beg your pardon, Lisbon might not be as interesting as Barcelona, but one thing cannot be denied, Lisbon has the biggest shopping areas of all Iberian Peninsula:
http://www.golisbon.com/shopping/shopping-centres.html
http://www.ingrealestate.com.au/au_en/communications/news/2009/20090509_Dolce_Vita_Tejo.jsp
Special Family 2009-06-29 00:03
Bonequinho2009-06-29 00:47