May 28, 29

We worked up by the castle on Thursday.   It is interesting to see so many people visiting Lisbon from all over the world.  They say not alot of people come from the US, but many people from Great Britain, sso you do hear English.   The shops we spoke in today were Bengali men.  Our partner Debra is learning Bengali and can greet them and ask a question in their language and they respond to that and listen closer.  There is one man I will make a RV on in the next week.  We had an earlier day as we were tired.
On Fri, our sightseeing day we went to Belem.  It is only a 20 minute train ride or a longer bus...we went by train.  I
Here is the pink palace, but we got no pictures because we didn't go in.  It is the home of the president and some of it was open but we chose not to go.  Our first stop was the museum of the coaches and has horse and mule drawn carriages from I think the oldest was 1600's.  Some were so ornate it was mind boggling.  The 1 pic I enclose was made for pope Clement V, I think.  The art work is amazing.   Also will put in a picture of the museum ceiling.  It was definitely worth going to see.
Next we saw the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.  It was commissioned by Manuel 1 in around1501, after Vasco da Gama's return from his historic voyage.   It was financed by a "pepper money", a tax on spices, precious stones and gold.  They monastary was cared for by the Order of St Jerome until 1834, when all relifious orders were disbanded.
It is truly the most beautiful work of architectural design I have seen.  A sister said you think that's old wait for Italy!
We were exhausted when done and will have to return to see the other things Belem has to offer.  We had a beautiful meal with wine.  I ordered veal chops (I know, baby cow right...but it was already dead) because I have never eaten them.  Delicious!  Claudia had the salmon again (I need for her to be more adventurous in her palate or how am I going to sample all thats offered), but it was the best salmon we have eaten.  Our sightseeing Fridays have been so enjoyable, and there are so many things to see!
Another absolutely beautiful day in Portugal!