Portugal! A Final Visit to the Lovely Lisbon City...before departing Western Europe/Schengen Countries! (7/23/23)

 It was a great day--and last visit--to the city, with Diego... wandering the streets, seeing the sights (like this crazy street "performer" of sorts!), and finishing with an amazing dinner in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, recommended by Andreia, the tour guide.  Who knows? I may be back one day!

On the 24th, very early in the a.m., I was sad to have to leave the schengen countries... as my 90 day visa is finished... I would like to have stayed longer, but not possible! Such as it is.....


The "flying man", as Diego and I dubbed this character! It was fun trying to discern the trick behind this... one metal rod deep into the ground, no doubt...the other one forming an arc around his midriff, most likely...exceedly clever, no matter what...but the poor guy must have been broiling hot in this get-up! 



Some nobiel horseman or other! 



Diego and I feasted on a grilled fish platter for two;  it also included salad, roasted potatoes, prawns, grilled asparagus, and a chocolate mousse for dessert! All most excellent, and the leftovers made for a wonderful picnic lunch for us both the next day in Sintra!


Early morning flight... 5:55 a.m.! From Lisbon to Bucharest, Romania... (NOT in the Schengen countries...) 
A stopover in Switzerland, with a dramatic rainstorm delaying flights... so I waited 3 hours for the second flight when it should have only been 2! Worse, the customs official who checked my passport on the way out was really nasty... accusing me of overstaying (I had not! In fact, my departure date was on day 88, not even the 90th!!) and then, when he saw his error, didn't even apologize... he then stated I could return in 6 months. I had to correct him AGAIN--I had to be out of the Schengen countries for 3 months, NOT 6--again, no apology forthcoming. What an insecure a-hole! Sheesh! 
At least the flights were pleasant enough...had window seats on both legs of the trip...and nice photos as a result! On to Romania!!! 

Totally gorgeous weather and skies on these flights! Clean, clear...brilliant! 



Caught a rainbow in this one...gorgeous!!! 



                              
Thrilling to be in a new country--uncharted territory!--where I have never been before!!! 


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