Take a Walk

Cheek to cheek, ear to ear

My knees creaked, going downhill for the first time. Ten curling toes were nervously gripping the insoles of my walking shoes. 

We were clenching everything while summiting the crumbling cobblestone streets. 

Just another morning with my Lisbon walking group. 

Locals and visitors join me during these morning walks. Like Ramiro, a regular. A Portuguese explorer who brings requests for which direction to wander. 

Walking two-by-two through the winding streets, we share our stories. It’s a comfortable way to open up conversations on a seemingly narrow path.

I had a realization one morning: walking side-by-side allows conversations to flow naturally.

We set off to explore the Tagus Riverside views. In spring, everyone seems confused by the weather and how to dress in Lisbon. So we laugh about all the layers we are carrying by the end of the hour. Side-by-side strolls through the hills are unpredictable and enjoyable. 

‘Lisbon’s special appeal lies elsewhere. Its secret is in the mix. There is an afterglow of Lisbon’s imperial history, when the city was the nerve centre for Portugal’s extensive colonial possessions in Africa, South America and the Orient. That cosmopolitan legacy endows Lisbon with an intriguing, exotic flavour that is unique in Europe. Lisbon, for all its loss, still engages the imagination.’ - Barry Hatton, Queen of the Sea

The book that inspired the walks tells us tales of history that take us through these destinations. I feel like tour guide Rick Steves when we pass by a monument or historic location and share a tidbit of history.

And on your right, we have the Sao Vicente monastery. 

I point out one of my favorite destinations as we wander by. Fun facts shared with anyone who will listen. But really, the monastery is fascinating; check this out:

‘Lisbon’s São Vicente de Fora Church is bound up with this cult, which faded after the Middle Ages. The church and an attached monastery, which are among Lisbon’s most stately buildings, stand on high ground where King Afonso Henriques’ army pitched camp during the siege….The church’s façade possesses two towers, as if it were a cathedral, to lend it dignity and prestige.’ - Barry Hatton, Queen of the Sea

Waving goodbye to old students from Taiwan who came to visit me at the Sao Vicente Monastery!

The unchoreographed journey takes us to new places while old paths emerge. 

It’s the historical buildings and sights but also the unknowingness that tempts us around the bend. What’s left to be discovered? Towering hills and low alleys connect the sprawling districts of the oldest city in Europe. Historical sights and sounds of conversation. 

Wandering opens up the connection. Instead of worrying if I got the spinach quiche out of my teeth, it turns into a side-by-side shared awareness of the breathtaking surroundings and friendly company. The awkwardness of forward-facing talking is absent. Although we do spend a lot of time looking down, just so we don’t trip on the uneven cobblestones. 

We share the views facing ahead, wondering with our feet and less with our inner thoughts. 

Side-by-side walking with a friend (or a stranger!) is a perfect place for a supportive conversation. 

Morning walkers enjoying the spring flowers!

Free breakfast?!

1. Use the five senses to discuss the beauty and your surroundings. Allow nature to bring natural flow to your words.

2. Admire the landscape, and explore the unknown by taking new paths. Deepen the connection by facing a challenge or perhaps getting slightly lost for fun.

3. Have fun and be playful. Don’t take your walk so seriously! Discover simple pleasantries to enjoy with your walking partner.

Walking benefits are endless. Give it a try.

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Thank you for supporting Walking in Lisbon! If you can join us, find us on Meetup.

Please share your journey below if you were inspired to walk solo or with a community.