Foodtopia Moments

 Part of my early journey this summer included a layover in Lisbon, Portugal. For lunch, I stopped at a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop and got a local pork sandwich called a befana. It was simple, yet delicious. The pork was cooked in butter, and very flavorful on its own, but they suggested mustard and that took it to another level. At then end of the meal, I ordered a pastel de nata. I've had them from a Portuguese baker in North Jersey before, and also from Lidl, but this one was next level. The flaky layered pastry of the cup was delicious without the vanilla custard. The custard was perfect the perfect blend of rich and delicate. I culd've eaten a dozen of them. I only had two on the day, and each time I ordered one the people asked me, "only one?" I guess it's odd to only order one, or I look like someone who would order more than one. 

Back to traveling

 After almost two years, the long-distance travel bug bit me again. Last summer, I stayed local in the US to play golf and coach tennis. It was a blast, but traveling is what I still long for.  As I'm writing this, I am in my hotel room in Rome. I spent all day seeing the splendors of the old city, and getting my Italian phone and internet hooked up. This is, however, my second stop on the trip. 

On Tuesday, I started my journey with a red-eye flight to Lisbon, Portugal, where I had 9-hour layover. Armed with two bad knees and a must-see and taste list provided by ChatGPT, I spent the day taking rides with Bolt drivers to a few of the different sites. In Baixa, I saw the Praca de Comercio and the Rue Augusta Arch. Then I took a ride up to Alfama and saw the outside of the Lisbon Cathedral, and got a red roofed panoramic view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia. After a quick stop for lunch and souvenirs, I headed off to Belem to witness the Belem Tower. I stopped back in Baixa on the way back to the airport for a little treat. The pastel de nata custard cups have a special place in my heart. 

I got into Rome last night after 25 hours of traveling with almost no sleep. Slept in today, still hit the town running, and am getting ready for a nice Italian dinner.  I hit the rails in the morning for a three-train trip to my little oasis, Campomarino Lido.