Back to Sintra

Manfred writing, this time -- We are in Sintra again, for two nites, found a Hostel, just opened about two weeks ago, a short walk from the train station. We first thought that it was closed but the door handle was about 18 inches above ground level and it was rather small. 36 Euros for the two of us per nite including b'fast and free internet (full 4 bars) in the room!!

Two young people are running it, they have other jobs but spell each other off so there is someone manning the small front desk at all times. Plus they are so helpful. Oh, there is a kitchen where you can do your own food, buying stuff for sandwiches from the store and, making coffee or tea also drink beer or wine, then sitting and chatting either in a nice large sitting room, your own room or the terrace.

It is 7:45 am, I'm sitting in our room in my undies, windows wide open, looking at the near treed hills with one of the castle on it, the sky is blue and cloudless and the air is very mild, sort of like a Hawaiian morning, some of our friends may recall.

Last nite we had a great Chinese dinner here in Sintra. Odd, but a beautiful place. Two main dishes, crab salad, rice, chinese tea, ice cream desert for 20 Euros for the two of us, about $30., reasonable for Europe, even in a slightly cheaper Portugal. A good size and very tasty.

For the last little while, Geneva has been complaining about a tooth paining her a lot. Every time she bites down on it with food that loose tooth was painful. So we just happen to see a dentist office as we were going out for dinner last night. So today, with the help from our hostel host, we went there, just around the corner, and at 3pm she will have it out. The dentist said that she has several problem teeth, which one would she like to have out. She said "this one". Out it came. 40 Euros, about $60.

All this time we have not watched any TV, read any news paper or anything else newsy, it's great!!! The other day we were standing on the Lisboa subway platform, waiting for our subway, there across the way was a big news display screen saying briefly that Obama was to get a Nobel Prize!! That's all.