Portugal Day 4
Back on the tram 28 again with no itinerary, the weather still radiant, we got off at the Plaza of the Church of Santa Lucia perched on the Miradoura das Portas do Sol–Viewpoint of the Door of the Sun.
Across the tram track was a museum of decorative arts that interested Jan and appealed to me for its lack of traffic. We mounted the empty staircase of a stately old palace at the top of which sat the canopy of a 17th century carriage under repair by restorers of antique treasures.
They and their apprentice artisans at school in the museum were absent for the day, and other than a couple of elegant young women attendants, the whole place was deserted.
Among the solemn royal furnishings I was amused by two small paintings of “Friars in a Bordello.”
At the gift shop, everything except a tiny xmas ornament Jan purchased was too expensive. But at a gallery to the side of the carriage canopy we found a display of student work—original creations applying techniques of the earlier artifacts with a contemporary twist–that were listed with prices.
I couldnt resist asking if the one listed for 150 Euros could be shipped.
The attendant said yes and took my order.
Back at Largo Intendende we crossed the square to the building labelled Casa Independente, a hip arts and dance club of former glory where the music started at 11:00 p.m., much too late for us.
For dinner we ventured down the street at the back of the square densely occupied by East Indian immigrants. The Bangladeshi restaurant food was disappointing but very inexpensive.
