Day 22 to 24 - June 13 to 15 - Back in Lisbon

  Lisbon, Estremadura, Portugal
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The next day, we drove to Castel de St. George (St. George's castle). It is the most amazing place built by muslims to defend Lisbon. With tall watch towers and a huge courtyard, the place is out of an epic movie.

That evening, I had ginan waro at the Ismaili center in Lisbon, but we were late due to traffic, so they rescheduled me for the next day. The Ismaili center is a grand structure, however, fell short of my expectations considering I have grown up watching jamat khanas like Garden and Kharadar. 

Fado performers

At night, we went to a Fado restaurant (Cafe Luce). Fado is beautiful music, traditional to Portugal and it is very emotionally charged. During dinner, people talk but the moment the lights dim for Fado, there would be complete silence. The performers would do their act for 30 off minutes and then go off only to return in 30 minutes.

Sofia and husband

After the restaurant, we went partying at Docas and then a late night drive around Belim.

The next morning, I stayed in (my foot was worse). In the afternoon, Sofia and I went for some coffee and then got ready for JK. This time, we left earlier and made it in plenty of time. At night, we were invited to dinner at Tia Taju's. A lot of Sofia's mom's side of the family were here, but I believe we were still missing half :)

Pics of men

Dinner was a fun affair with men eating first, then women. Later the men went down for coffee but all the places around the area were closed. We returned home around 1a. We all stayed awake all night. Feiba made me one last cup of galao. Tio Nawas and Tia Nafeesa came to say bye and stayed including driving with us to the airport. They are too sweet. On the way, Sofia forced us to stop and pick up pastels for Mana.

Tio Karim and Manu Nadir

I will just add this:

I cannot believe how much Sofia´s family has done for us. Specially, Nasser, Feiba and Kaka Anil. They have really made this a trip I will never forget and I am sad to be leaving them..

Also, Portugal is truly a beautiful place that reminds me a little of Italy, a little of Paris and a little of Pakistan. Beautiful, cultured, raw, modern and untapped.

Thats it from me on this trip.