Thank you Schuler. I always remember Mr Otto as Mr O-t-t-o :-) It was a Saint Patrick's night, we'll remember forever.

Come, Sher. We are waiting for you. And Nikki is planning too :-) This sounds like a dream for Lobo and Loba and young Lobinhos. And for Matt and Liz too. We gathered all in Gravatas a couple of weeks ago, and we remember you all with a lot of saudades.

Dear Sher, my other activity is begining in the critical phase tomorrow, and will last 3 weeks, more or less. I'm submerged by papers as you may guess :-)

Lobo. Thank you for your kind words.

Mr. Sher said YES!

See you in August.

Lobo Mau, I just came across this delightful thread. We will be in Lisbon June 5-8. Any "inside tips" for those dates? Will we be there for any of the Saints Days?

Flyingaway, I made a selection for you.

Marchas Populares (folclore parade)

The highlight of June in Lisbon is the parade in Avenida da Liberdade during the evening of 12th June, day before the Lisbon's patron day Saint Anthony. Every 23 districts of Lisbon are recriating a theme related to the history of each particular area. There is a competition to the best march, music, customs ad coreography. Before the Avenida da Liberdade grand finale, there is a presentation to their fans in Pavilhao Atlantico, in Parque das Nacoes(former expo98) during the days 5 to 7 of June, 9 pm (metro: Oriente). Tickets 6 euros. Personal comment: You may find this way too much etnic, lot of noise, soccer like atmosphere. Go there if you have some interest on antropology or are looking for photo ops.

Arraiais (I can't figure out any possible translation, sorry)

Is a district festivity. Typical activities are going out, sit in an outdoor informal restaurant, order some sangria and grilled sardines and enjoy your time. Don't worry about finding any particular location, go to Largo do Chafariz de Dentro, near by Museu do Fado, from there go into Alfama, and sit wherever you feel like. 8 to 11 pm are a perfect timing for indulging yourself with this low pace activity.

Fado

Concerts in Saint George Castle

5 June: Vicente da Câmara José da Câmara /Manuel da Câmara/Teresinha da Câmara/Helena Vieira
6 June: Aldina Duarte/Maria do Rosário Pedreira/Nancy Vieira/Manuel Paulo

Entrance 12.50 euros. Ticket office in the Castle.


Fado in tramway #28

From 3 to 13th and from 18 to 21st June, 4 pm to 7 pm. You must have any title available to travel in the tramway. The fado itself is free. The difficulty might be a large number os tourists willing to join tran #28 and enjoy a free performance.

Lobo, it looks like we'll be coming your way sooner than I had thought. Hope you keep your head above water, keep those papers under control, and check your e-mail.

My e-mail box is full of excellent news :-) (so I was told). WIthin one week, I'll answer emails with all due attention.

buying tickets now. need attention sooner.

Since yesterday there is an official list of Wonders of the world built by the Portuguese. And the list is:
Diu fortress (India)
Mazagan fortress (El Jadida/Morroco)
Church of Good Jesus (Goa/India)
Old Town of Santiago (Cape Verde)
Saint Paul Church (Macao)
Saint Francis of Assisi Convent (Ouro Preto/Brazil)
Saint Francis of Assisi Convent (Bahia/Brazil)
These were selected out of a list of 27 spread over 13 countries including Brazil, Uruguay, India, Bahraim, Iran, Malasya, Oman, Mozambique, Angola, Etiopia, Gana, Kenya and Tanzania.

The large majority of venues are of militar or religious nature. The process of selection, image collection and interviews with locals, had all the support and encouragement from the authorities and scholars of countries where the monuments and located.

"the monuments are located".
Flyingaway, I hope you enjoyed your stay in the "western Lusitanian shore".
Nikki, I know about your email (Loba's courtesy). I plan to answer later today, but let me say that I start field work. Come prepaired to eat a lot of moelas and caracois and all kinds of desgusting food :-)

Everything but the squeal. (I googled and translated and I know that moelas and caracois don't squeal, but you get the idea.)

Moelas and caracois definitely don't squeal. Anyway, I don't eat alive food.
In 10 minutes, the whole wolf pack is leaving for Santo Antonio eve, the night Lisbon goes crazy.

Lobo. Are you back among civilization or are you still stuck inside of your papers?

Dear Lobomau, I have been following this thread for some time as I will be in Lisbon in September. Any inside tips for early September? Thanks so much.

Dear Lily. I suggest you to go where no other tourist has been before.
Many years ago, every single town in Portugal and many Lisbon districts had a once-a-year summer market. It allowed producers to sell their products and buyers to spend some fresh money. As time went buy, country side markets changed their flavour (mostly to cattle and agriculture exhibitions) and all but one of the Lisbon's summer markets closed.
The proud survivor is Feira da Luz (Largo da Luz/Carnide area). It stands from 1st to 30th of September. All sophistication is absent there. Come prepared to loud local music, sandwich bars (vans), smoke, hotdogs, bifanas and pregos. Coffee and beer in plastic cups, a lot of photo opportunities (please ask and with 99% probability they will be glad to be photographed).
Word of caution: The environment is 100% safe but, as in any place with a lot of people, it's wise to keep an eye (or both hopefuly) on personal property. Take the usual precautions, don't carry a lot of money with you, I'd say that 20 euros is enough for a couple of beers and some bifanas or hotdogs.

Before somebody asks what a bifana is, check (main picture) http://acozinhadatianita.blogspot.co...ana-no-po.html
It's a hot sandwich of a thin cut pork steak, usualy eaten with mustard and requires a cold beer.
As far as pronunciation is concerned, I think that "beef Ann" is a good aproach.
Prego is similar, but from a different pork cut, and usually less tender.
The combo (bifana + beer) should cost about 2,20 to 2,40 euros.
A glass of canned beer is a "imperial" (don't ask me why), approx 1/2 pint and less to 1 euro. It's always served ice cold, in glass. Plastic cups are only acceptable in large concentrations, such as sport events.

Thanks LoboMau - sounds very interesting and I'm sure to go!

Lobo Mau is awaking from his turpor/lethargy/hibernation (pick one) at the same pace as the best LDC ever is taking shape. Please watch CNN for further developments.

LDC is scheduled for next Thursday, with an outstanding participant of this forum :-)

Thanks for the snail mail.