My seventh and last day

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

I wake up feeling extremely lazy after yesterday's 12K steps of walking - and also with the prospect of packing. I pull myself together and after a while my bed looks like this 🤦‍♀️


But I manage to exit the room by noon and leave the bags in the reception, where I book a cab for 5pm. My plan is to walk around, have a special lunch somewhere nice and eventually make it back to the hotel in time for the cab ride.

Using my Metro app I plot the way to the Alonso Martinez station where I will look at two possible candidates for lunch, La Tavernetta (recommended by Eduardo, Gracielita's husband), and Fismuler (recommended by Mada). The former turns out to be in quiet exclusive street, surrounded by interesting and $$$$ stores, and close to a charming park, Plaza Villa de Paris. But it's early yet and both restaurants only open at 1.30 - I have an hour to while away. So I walk the 10 minutes to the other restaurant, Fismuler, which looks rather forbidden and, of course, closed. Fortunately, there is a nail place next to it and I go do my nails (and sit down, ahhh).

When I return to the street, the restaurant is like before, all closed, now with some bewildered customers grouped in front, staring at their phones. I retrace my steps to La Tavernetta, where I enjoy a delicious 3 course meal




Then I slowly make my way home, once again marvelling at the huge amount of people in the streets around my area. The weather is still wonderful, the sun slanted through the ancient streets, and at this point I do not need to use Google Maps any more.

I reach my hotel in time for the taxi. Ahead of me awaits the long, long walks through airport corridors and the two flights - 1 hour to Lisbon and then 9 ½ hours to Rio. Once on the plane I will admire the full moon


and begin to look forward to getting home.

Thank you for traveling with me.





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