A Deeper Dive into Cascais

 

And it’s another glorious day in Zamunda – I mean Portugal. (10 points if you get that reference)

Seriously though, the weather for the month of September (except for a couple of days) was amazing.  Temps in the mid 80’s to low 90’s and lots of sun.  It made my afternoon walks all the more enjoyable.  

My week in Parede came to an end and it was time to move from one AirBNB to another.  Since I liked the area, I decided to stay there rather than go up to Porto (which I still need to do at some point).  The next place is just up the coast from Parede in the city of Cascais – yes, the city I visited a few weeks ago.  After a short Uber ride, I was dropped off at my new home for the week.

Oh.  Where do I even start with this place?  I know.  The smell.  As soon as I opened the door, I knew this place was gonna be a pain. The stench from the bathroom reminded me too much of the place in Athens.  And just like that place, you can’t put toilet paper in the toilet because the system is old and can’t handle it.  Great.

On top of that, the faucet in the cramped bathroom was very difficult to lift.  Until, of course, the handle flew off in my hand.  Putting it back in place, I could still get the water to come out, but most of the time I didn’t even bother and just washed my hands in the kitchen sink.

And about that kitchen.  I was glad to see there was an oven and the induction cooktop was one of the rare ones that I could actually figure out. But the placement of the cabinets and the water heater left much to be desired.  I had to keep watching my head while doing the dishes so I didn’t hit the water heater.  I did bump my head on the awkwardly placed cabinet by the window when I was throwing out trash.  Left a nice bump, thank you very much.

The place made me wish I'd stayed in the last place.  I would have happily extended my stay if it weren’t booked up. Even the blinds were better in the last place.  These have to be raised manually (well, I never!).

The building is in a maze of other apartment buildings.  There were some small businesses sprinkled around the area and a small grocery store across the street.  It was more of a hoof to get to a larger grocery store and the more commercial area of Cascais.  There are the usual shops and restaurants in the main area as well as access to the beaches.

With the weather being as nice as it was, the beaches were always busy. I spent a least a couple of hours there every day soaking up the sun.  And, oh yeah.  Watching sweaty, half-naked, bronzed, Portuguese men playing volleyball without using their hands.  Nice. 

Have I mentioned lately that I freaking love this country?

There’s a marina a bit further up the coast with its own set of shops and restaurants.  On the way there is a gorgeous swimming spot.  There were even some brave souls who would jump from the rocks along the walking bridge into the water.

Have I also mentioned just how many beautiful black people there are here?  It’s been my habit to take note of the number of black folk in the countries I’ve visited this year.  Portugal takes the cake.  It’s not just the African immigrants in Lisbon proper, but the people working the restaurants, the groups of kids walking home from school, the interracial couples and their gorgeous mixed-race kids.  When I mentioned being a solo black female traveler to my relocation specialist, she looked at me like I had just insulted her mother.  Lowering her voice, she said, “We don’t really say that.”  I asked what she was talking about.  She explained that in Portugal ‘black woman’ is not really a distinction that they make.  I know, I nodded, that’s one of the reasons I want to move here.

When I talk to someone in a store or on the street, they automatically assume I speak Portuguese because they have no reason to think otherwise. It's starting to bother me that I have to say this phrase on repeat; 'Eu nao falo portugues' (I don't speak Portuguese).  There are black hair care products in the stores (not the same brands or variety in the states, but still).  There is a level of acceptance of not only black folks but of tourists of all nations that I truly admire.  All the more reason for me to want to be a super cool Portuguese chick.