I headed back down the hills and closer to the shore to find the National Pantheon. I went inside a church on the way called São Vincent de Fora. At this point, I felt like I was checking off monuments via google maps after walking around a lot.
It was later afternoon as I wrapped up Alfama and headed back to my hostel to rest my feet. I got back and deduced to go to the BBQ rooftop party at my hostel’s sister hostel by the shore. I got my ticket and was told to meet in reception if I wanted to have someone walk me over (which is standard, it is an option to walk over by yourself if yo wanted to). I opted to hang out in my hostel room and relaxed until it was time to go at 7:30pm.
In the reception area, I again bumped into Paulo and Harrison who were also going, along with a woman from India named Anupa. Taken by a hostel volunteer from Mexico, we all walked from our hostel to the sister hostel by the water for the sunset BBQ. We arrived just as the sun was setting and grabbed some box wine and bbq food. We sat down at the picnic table under a half-tent covered with colorful streamers and lights, surrounded by beanbags — very much a bohemian vibe going on on that roof. We met Jessica from Brazil who Harrison may have known through a different tour though I might be wrong - she wasn’t staying at the hostel but had a friend with connections. So it was me, Anupa, Jessica, Harrison and Paulo all hanging out and eating and drinking boxed wine. Harrison and Jessica invited me to go with them to Belém the next day on Thursday (and I would). All of them were going to the pub crawl later and I liked them all very much so after some talking.... I ended up signing up for the pub crawl later that night!
It’s my first. I never really imagined I would enjoy a pub crawl since it was always gonna be crowded. And it was, but the company was good and drinks were great. Our Tuesday night fado tour guide ended up tagging along so he could get experience being a “guide” for the pub crawl - which is how the volunteers get experience in different areas. First we had a bit of a drinking competition before we set off - we had to drink our beer in succession and quickly flip the plastic cup from the lid so it landed upside down. We tied and then the other group won. I learned I am terrible at flipping cups! Then we set off.
All in all, we hopped about four bars and some had dancing areas so we danced in between too. Eventually we ended up at an outdoor exclusive club and danced the night away to flashing lights and deep electronic/rock music. Harrison, Jessica and Anupa and I pretty much had our own dance circle so we stayed together. At one point, our tour guide made sure we were okay before he had to go since the “crawl” has ended. We stayed probably for another hour after that point. Before I knew it, I was crawling into bed close to 4am.
What. A. Night.
I had so much fun.
Not a lot of photos besides half-lit blurry photos :)
Here’s one good one. The others are either me sweating my butt off with the other folks or blurry buildings in the night. Well, I kept a beer bottle for memory’s sake.
Thursday, I would regret eating my breakfast due to mild hangover and set off to Belém by train with Harrison and Jessica. Nothing like rearranging my hastily put together plans for better plans.
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