We came to Lisbon and they threw a party

We drove to Lisbon on Friday, which coincided with Portugal National Day. I had been researching this public holiday in an effort to find out the best way to celebrate it and I was sadly unable to get much information. As we drove into the quiet city on a warm afternoon I concluded that it must be a family day and everyone was at home enjoying family time. And then night happened!

Portugal was hit hard it the GFC and employment remains high and there has been mass emigration of the young, compounding the statistical aging of the population. So I was not surprised when we drove into Lisbon to find it somewhat decaying in parts. We are staying in one of the older quarters; narrow cobbled streets and 4-5-6 storied, elegantly dilapidated terraced houses with those cute Juliette balconies. Our apartment in Lisbon is just beautiful, ramshackle on the outside, spacious and comfortable on the inside. Lisbon was virtually destroyed in the 1755 earthquakes and subsequent fire and tsunami which killed an estimated 90,000 people. Like London after the Great Fire, Lisbon was rebuilt, but unlike London the new buildings were tested for their earthquake resistance by soldiers marching around them to simulate an earthquake. 

A typical Lisbon former glory

So when we ventured out for dinner and music I did not hold high expectations. But happily the streets that had been near empty in the middle of the day were alive with people, food, beer and music. Some late research tells me that Lisbon is party central; one of the best places for nightlife in Europe and significantly cheaper than other hip cities, as evidenced by the three beers and one gin we bought on the street for 8 Euros ($12 AUS). 

We are not sure if it like this all the time or only for National Day. Streets lined with makeshift charcoal grill restaurants and bars serving cheap drinks, no wonder it is packed.

The party went all night and as expected it is very quiet in town this morning. Tom waited before venturing out to find some fresh bread for breakfast and came back empty handed, I excepted most of the city will not wake until near noon. In the square outside our apartment some young backpackers are looking a bit bedraggled sitting at the table, I think they have been hard at it all night. 

Of course after every party someone has to clean up. Armies of green clad municipal workers attack the streets in the morning to clear the debris.

The party starts again Saturday afternoon with this trad jazz band playing at an outdoor cafe. 

In this uber cool city even the laundermats are cool.