It is about four years since we had some proper classes to learn the language.
Although we have learned much more in the interim, mostly by asking and interacting with people, Janet decided that we should have an intense, immersive week of lessons with a different language school.
For the first week of our early Summer holiday we took the slow train to Santa Apolona on the Sunday afternoon and arrived at the apartment a little before 7pm. By the time we had settled in and found something to eat, it was time to get to sleep in preparation for returning to the classroom.
The apartment in downtown Lisbon was literally in the roof of the building and the views from the windows were quite good.
Santuário de Cristo Rei across the river from Cais do Sodre where we were staying.
A view of Ponte 25 de Abril.
The language school was just around the corner from the apartment and we turned up on time. Of course, the usual level of Portuguese timekeeping was in effect and we waited for everyone else to show up.
Once we started it soon became obvious that we had simply joined onto an already running course and not the specific 'intense' course as we had envisioned. Nevertheless, we managed to learn some more about the language during the 20 hours of classroom lessons and 5 hours of individual private sessions. The classes were fun and interactive, we had a good time and a very enjoyable break.
We happened to be there when the Feast of Santo António was taking place, there were many events around the city, culminating in a colourful parade along Avenida da Liberdade. This meant that there was no class on that day, so we wandered around Lisbon and headed to Edward VII Park where the annual book fair was on its last day. Here we found endless rows of bookstalls selling books of all types.
Just one of the many lines of bookstalls stretching down the hill towards the Praça Marques de Pombal.
After walking for what seemed to be many miles in the heat, we stopped for a welcome bite of lunch.
Janet did buy some more books and is supplementing Portuguese learning by reading novels.
The day could not be completed without seeing the parade celebrations later in the evening.
By that time it was almost dark and, as I had forgotten to bring the proper camera, I had to use the camera on my mobile 'phone.
The quality is not too good but I took many pictures and videos of the parade. More images in the album ...