I don’t like crowds, but I wanted to see how the Moorish Alfama district was like on the day of the largest and best city wide festival in Lisbon that is devoted to Saint Anthony, the patron saint of the city. So, from the flea market I walked and walked through every corner of the district, with a single stop at the Castle restaurant, for lunch... sardines, of course!
Alfama, like many other typical neighbourhoods, was decorated with streamers and tinsel, balloons and colorful garlands. Many tourists flooded it with their cameras always ready to snap something that caught their eyes. I was asked more than once to explain what this or that was. It happened with little potted thyme plants shaped as balls with fake colourful flowers and a heartfelt poem attached – I had to translate several poems - that are given as gifts to loved ones. Thyme along with sardines is the symbol of the popular saint celebration and cleverly the plants have been transformed into hanging decorations.
I saw here and there oil drum barbeques, ready to grill the sardines to the delight of the Lisbon citizens and perhaps tourists, too. The sardines are grilled with little preparation. They retain their heads and contain many little bones, requiring a special care when we eat them.
The ‘carnival’ parade would start around 9:00pm to continue well after midnight until the sun rises. June 13, is Lisbon holiday. I didn’t walk to the main avenue where the several groups of each Lisbon neighbourhood would parade but I saw some people ready for it.
At the square overlooking the river, a big stage was being mounted for a live performance of fado – the Portuguese national song. I saw something else during my 12-hour outing but please wait for my next blog...
terrific photos.
ReplyDeleteI joined and found it very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe city is wonderfully decorated :-) how lovely!
But:
The meal was too much, though I like fish!
your country is so diverse, interesting and colorful.................I have truly enjoyed this little walk with you , while having my afternoon tea.
ReplyDeleteWarren reported today that the sardine run is on, the shoal has hit Port Edward on the south coast, Russell is champing at the bit, wanting to go, so have told the boys to get packed and try to meet the shoal on Tuesday by Scottburg or if having to go higher up. They are taking 5 days off and I am hoping for some game fish for the freezer.
Another wonderful tour, I loved it!! So colourful. I would love to experience this festival for myself. I could almost smell the sardines cooking :-)) Mmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteYes definitely. I just love those street markets and festivals. Our market festival begins tomorrow. during the day market stands and in the evening music. I will probably have a look around, but the evening stuff is a bit too much for me. My first experience of real sardines was in Albufeira. I didn't realise they were so big, only ever seeing the tinned ones up to then. I love them - it seems the cheapest fish in Portugal, but in my opinion the best.By the way love the idea of the slide show (so have been reviving my photo bucket account in the meanwhile)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invitation . Wish I were there with you live :-((
ReplyDeleteReally, Amalie?Normally, when we order sardines they always bring 4 or 6 units,depending on the restaurants. They are served with mixed salad and steamed potatos.
ReplyDeleteMARIANNE.... We are a tiny country, yet with a diversification of landscape. Hope the sardines didn't damage your tea time...
ReplyDeleteThis and other festivals are always very colorful. Something a bit strange, as Portuguese are said to be gloomy, in stark contrast with our neighbours the Spaniards. We believe that sardines are good from May to August - the months spelled without 'r' - when they get fat.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat, for your visit. Hope you enjoy the festival at your place. I can understand how the size of real sardines was amazing to you. Sometimes, they are really big, mainly if we are used to see them in tiny tins. They are not as cheap as before. Even though, I suppose they still are the cheapest fish in this country. In June, the price soars up a bit. Just for your reference, a standard resurant will charge you some €7.0 for 4 sardines served with mixed salad and steamed potatos.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Fatos! If you happen to come over here in the future, you better schedule your trip for June, ok?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anders, for your visit. Good to know you liked the photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks all for having joined me.... Did you like the background music? At this time of the year, it's very typical in Alfama neighborhood.
ReplyDeletethe colors and colors! blue skies, festive music and great people watching.... I always love being invited along to your festivals and wanderings....
ReplyDeletetwelve hours is a very very long day, am glad you got to enjoy the food too!
You like to be invited and I love to have you touring with me....
ReplyDeleteWow Belita, you do have some fantastic places to go and see. I wish we had more of it here. I love the colours.
ReplyDeleteI don't like crowds either! I can see why you made an exception, it was a beautiful day, no?
ReplyDeleteWatching your slide shows...hard to resist taking a trip to Lisbon.
ReplyDeleteIs Portugal in Fall as lively as during the Summer?
I don't think we can say Portugal is a very lively country but summer is the season during which the country becomes more colorful.... outdoors life and the weather make it so.... anyway, Fall brings its beauty with less hot days... take the plane, Sophie, you're welcome, yet I can't assure what this Fall will be like in here...
ReplyDeleteIt must be a funny day...such a colourful...very interesting ...
ReplyDelete