Hi Ppl

As a member of the last LDC, and speaking on my and Sofia's behalf, just to say that it was a great meeting and, needless to say, we had a very nice time.

One can live for 30 years in a city not knowing all of its finest night places. The Pateo da Memoria was a very pleasant surprise, not only by the good food, but also for it's ambience that somewhat was unique in recreating ancient Lisbon.

Of course the group was the best; all of us were in a good mood that just got better and better as the sangrias jars kept arriving…

Matt the photos are great (unbelievable, I’m becoming internationally known – thankfully not for my fado singing…) and I’ve downloaded a few – hope u don’t mind… I took a bunch of my own and for those interested, they can be seen here

http://victorphotos.fotopic.net/c977212.html

I’ve read the reports, I agree entirely with them, so no more comments on the last LDC for now, except one: we’ll meet again soon . As some of you know I’m currently living in Algarve (for a year) but my home is in Lisbon and I’m trying to be there at least one weekend each month.

Porto report: making us envy, Matt! The Douro scenery is really awesome and you got a privileged view. Even if the common mortal of us can not in ordinary circumstances get that cabin view, the Douro visit recommends itself. I’ve been there for more than a dozen times and yet not feeling tired of it. If anyone needs some additional info on Douro and Tua trains (or trains in general) please feel free to ask.

Vitor

Lily, some notes as a reply:
12 June is festa St Antonio, not a good day to listen to fado. In fact there is too much excitement in Lisbon. The expected activities for this day are eating grilled sardines, drinking beer, wine or sangria and jumping over the fire. If you like you may join us, or join collegue's family since I believe they won't stay home.
The places listed in LDC are not suitable to listen fado, except Pateo da Memoria. Pateo da Memoria has fados every first Friday of each month (seats available with previous booking). The last LDC experienced some fado because it was previously arranged with the manager.
For a occasional visitor without anything arranged and willing to experience some fado I advise Parreirinha de Alfama, in Alfama as the name says (tel 218868209), call in advance. Kenderina was there some time ago and the said she enjoyed.
16th June is the birthday of my very favourite sister. No social activities opened to other Fodorites
Bottom line: join us is "fado in tram 28". It may be articulated or not with a diner, but at least for the tram part, I'm interested.

Wow Vitor, what beautiful pictures!!! Just one comment, the real time clock of your camera is 1 hour late.
I hope we may count with you many more times. I'll begin prepairing LDC May2007 this time with Ladylin.

Ladylin, I'm anxiously waiting for part II of you report. Since Evora and the Upper Alentejo is my very favourite part of Portugal, I'd love to listen to you views about it.

my keyboard is eating some "r". Twice "your" became "you". Very sorry.

Lobo thanks for the commentary 'bout the photos, I'm glad you've liked them and feel free to download and share.
Thanks for the remark 'bout the camera date also, unfortunately the camera clock doesn't adjust itseft to the summer hour like the pc does, and I rarely pay some atention to those details
I hope that on the next LDC I've remembered to fix the problem...
Vitor

Yes Vitor, nice images but couldn't you have made me look better with Photoshop? ;-)

There's a particularly amusing photo of Jen and Greg (bailey) where she looks so bored - so the camera does lie: she never stopped smiling!

Matt

Hi everyone!

Greg and I dropped into an internet cafe in Obidos and I wanted to say quick ´´hello´´ and to tell you that we had a fabulous time the other night! Thanks so much to Lobo and Matt for organizing the LDC. We had a great time meeting everyone (Matt - you are correct - cameras do lie).

We are loving everything about Portugal - the people, sights, and food! Also, thank you Nancy for the Redondo map - came in handy while I was purchasing pottery!

Matt - we´re looking forward to meeting back up on June 9. We´ll give you call on Thursday, the 8th to see if you and Lizzie are still available.

JEn

Jen, we'll make that night free for you, Lobo, you too? Hope all is okay with Greg and that you are keeping him hydrated with plenty of alcoholic liquids!

Now if you need someone to carry all that pottery back to the states for you ;-)

A note for the editors:

"Thanks for your assistance, now us Lisbon Thread heads are back to normal. Cheers!"

Ask and you shall receive!

Matt

henryandcasper - are you still planning to come over at the end of June?

Sorry Matt, i'm a photography purist... no photoshop enters my hard drive ;-) You'll have to live with your ugliness online...

In fact, cameras don't lie. Period. The missing data in this analisys is that photos don't usualy take more than a fraction of a second to capture an image so, awfull luck, sorry Jen, the blame is on the photographer who just didn't knew to choose the right moment from the trilion thousand you were smiling .
OK Matt is right, I'm here to testify, so, bad photo - right into the waste basket ;-)

9th October is already in the agenda. What do you have in mind? a diner? a coffee? a beer crawl?
If it's a diner, we'll join you by the dessert time ;-) If it's a coffee, a beer crawl or just chating and watching people in Pastelaria Suissa, we are in

"9th October" - Lobo are you having Sangria flashbacks or something?

9th June sir...

What???? Isn't this month October???

;-)

Dear Folks,
We just got back home and since I hadn't been on the computer while we were gone, it was wonderful to read the report of our great LDC event. Matt & Lizzy, Lobo & Gertrude are the best hosts imaginable. The dinner was definitely the high point of our Lisbon stay. The food was delicious...Matt, it really was...and the Fado was fantastic. But best of all, of course, was the chance to meet everyone and make some new friends. It was such a special occasion and both Meyer and I will remember it always. I hope we can return the pleasure by hosting some of you in our town someday.

Jet-lag has got me, but I just wanted you all to know how much it meant to us to be part of your wonderful family for an evening. I think I'm going to have serious withdrawl symptoms leaving this thread!
Fondly,
Nancy and Meyer

Have truly enjoyed reading all of your notes to one another...we will be staying out in Cascais for 3 days in late August and am planning to take the train into Lisbon for sightseeing, lunch, etc. Is there any problem in catching something right in Cascais and getting all the way into Lisbon? Had planned to take the "tram tour" while we are there. Would appreciate any suggestions for lunch etc. Would have liked to be there to participate in one of your dinners...anyway anything you can suggest would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob

Matt-
yes we're coming at the end of June! I've been absent from the board because of work distractions and life distractions and whatnot but we're getting very excited about our trip! I'm hoping we can meet up for an LDC extravaganza but if the dates aren't good for dinner, maybe even coffee and a pastry? It's looking like early July (2, 3, 4) could be good for us...

Wow what a stunning day here in Costa, just had a coffee, I'm off to Yoga and looking foward to tonight with Barb - yesterday had been a bit overcast but today is hot hot hot: with luck the evening will be warm and pleasant for the outdoor concert at the castle. Barb, Lobo et al, we'll see you at 7 ish.

Matt

Bob - hello and welcome.
Re the train, you can catch it at Cascais and it will take you straight into Cais do Sodre: from there everything is walkable or you can always catch the metro from the same station. On that line is also Belem which is a must see.

The tram tour is a great way to see the old parts of the city, starts at Praça do Commercio. But for a lot cheaper there is always tram 28 - by a pass and just keep riding it.

I'm sure we can meet for dinner, just let us know your plans nearer the time.

Henryandcasper: glad everything is okay. Without doubt there'll be an LDC waiting for you, your enthusiasm here has been great! Just email me or lobo with contact details nearer to the time and we can firm things up on here: wasn't it Adega das Gravatas you wanted to go to?

Nancy: thnakyou for your kind words and the pleasure of your company, I'm glad Meyer and you had a nice evening. Lizzy really enjoyed talking with you. And please, don't be strangers here, drop back in for a virtual coffee from time to time

Matt