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Interesting that there is such an immediate difference once we enter Portugal. Attitude, appearance, and ability to speak English. They also seem more friendly. Tourism is the main industry and they are suffering economically so I guess they realize it pays to be friendly.
Gas prices are even higher at $1.48 & $1.60E a liter. Everyone drives a small car and it's interesting to see how many people can be put in one. Lots of beeping of horns and near misses in traffic...makes me happy that I'm not driving.
There are forests of cork trees here as they provide the world with 60% of the cork. They've moved away from corks for wine & champagne and now have expanded into household goods, personal items, flooring and many more unusual items-even hats and umbrellas. Some of the other trees here are the umbrella pine,oleander,hibiscus,jacarunda and some palm trees. The palms were all brought from N.Africa and so are not native to the area but still look beautiful.
Lisbon is all about their people who sailed the world and discovered what we know today as "the New World". There are statues,fountains,squares and monuments all over the place honouring them.
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