sunnylisbon

Each country has a tradition to celebrate the last or the first day of the year. Even some families have a tradition, too. Like most couples, we do share a kiss at midnight. And, come the morning, we bow to each other, promising to respect and cherish more. It's just like renewing our wedding vows every year. This has become our tradition ever since we got married 20 years ago. Here in Portugal, people eat 12 raisins, each representing each month for luck. So me and my hubby decided to share this special tradition at the stroke of midnight. Well, mesmerized at the fireworks, we forgot to eat them at the right moment. Still, we made 12 wishes while savoring them. By the way, have you heard about 'primeiro banho do ano novo'? It literally means the first bath of New Year. To clean and purify spirits, some Portuguese jump in the cold water. Me? No way. Even though I love this beautiful country, I am not ready to jump in yet. Maybe in another year or ...

It's the end of the year.   If you are visiting New York, right now you are headed to Time Square to watch the balldrop.  You might wonder what the balldrop is and why they do it.  If so, here  is the info.  In Lisbon, many people go to Comercio Square (Praça do Comércio) to celebrate. It's a wonderful place to say farewell to 2018 while watching fireworks. There is also live show you can enjoy, too.  The festivities have been going on since 29th and today the last day of 2018 the live show will be on at 10 p.m.  Right after finishing this story, I am heading to Praça do Comércio, too. You can usually access the square through Terreiro do Paço metro station . However on New Year's eve, it is closed. So it'd be better to get off at Baixa-Chiado metro station and walk up there. The announcements of Lisbon metro are usually in Portuguese, so if you don't speak the language, it's safe to follow the crowd. Whereve...