This an unusual beginning to a camino. I'm staying in Jacques flat and commuting to the camino. Today we took the subway back to Lisbon and walked 10k. Then his partner Maria collected us and brought us back here for the night. Tomorrow we will walk 20k from Sacavem to Alverca. Some explanation is necessary. For most of the 20th century, the Camino Portugues was neglected because of the immense popularity of the pilgrimage to Fatima. Three Portugues children saw an apparition of Mary at Fatima in 1917. For many reasons, political and religious, the Catholic Church in Portugal encouraged people to walk to Fatima. Today, the Camino Portuguese is coming back to life but for the near future there are almost no alburgues between Lisbon and Porto. There are hotels and pensions but nothing cheap and basic. I am following the advice of Mr. John Brierley, guidebook author and camino authority. In his Camino Portugues guidebook, the first eight days are all more than 29 kilometers. So I'm sleeping in the pilgrim guest room to break up the long first few days. Okay, now for some photos.
A narrow street in the Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon. This part of the city was built and inhabited by Moors. It is also the home of the cathedral which is the starting point for the camino and the where one can hear fado, the Portuguese music of lost love and heartbreak.
Our first stop was the Park of the Nations, built in 1998. Another monumental space with restaurants, hotels, apartments, a cable car and lots and lots of space all designed for people to get out of the city and enjoy a day off.
Here we are after a grueling 10 kilometers ready for a coffee and nap.
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