colourful and lively Portugal
The trip to Portugal was memorable. Perhaps I have lived in the tiny peaceful village in Switzerland for too long, I felt so alive when I was walking up and down on the narrow steep city streets, panting; when I was hearing dozens of seagulls sing (or rather scream) non-stop with their full power; when I was taking a ride on an old-fashioned wooden tram enjoying the city view and hearing the crispy bell ringing; when I was savouring the famous Portuguese custard tarts and being intoxicated; when my travel companion – one of my dear girl friends from Shanghai now living in Toronto – and I were enjoying each seafood course and being ecstatic for its extraordinary taste; when we were wandering in the fairytale-like castle called Pena Palace… We left our steps and shadows in Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Porto and Braga.
The colours, the smells, the noises, the crowds, and hence the chaos – were all deferent from everything in Switzerland, yet, quite exciting. Oh, how I miss life! Portugal is full of life.
Jinglei Zhu 