Foreigner's recent activity
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Comment on The emotional support animal racket in ~life.pets
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Comment on What are some of your favorite history books and why? in ~books
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Comment on What are some of your favorite history books and why? in ~books
Foreigner LinkI can't speak to how robust or accurate the book is but during my teens I read Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore, and it was the first non-fiction history book I read that made me...I can't speak to how robust or accurate the book is but during my teens I read Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore, and it was the first non-fiction history book I read that made me think "wow, historical biographies can be really cool".
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Comment on Any tips for Barcelona and Lisbon in June/July? in ~travel
Foreigner Link ParentNo problem! I'm afraid I don't know Porto as well as Lisbon though.No problem! I'm afraid I don't know Porto as well as Lisbon though.
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Comment on Any tips for Barcelona and Lisbon in June/July? in ~travel
Foreigner (edited )Link ParentAnd as promised, tips for people staying more than a few days. Some of of these you'll need a car to get to, especially the beaches. Up to a week or more Lisbon Oceanarium – If the weather is...And as promised, tips for people staying more than a few days. Some of of these you'll need a car to get to, especially the beaches.
Up to a week or more
Lisbon Oceanarium – If the weather is miserable, the Oceanarium is worth the detour. It’s beautiful and easy to do within one or two hours. You can take the metro there - it’s a bit out of the way but there are plenty of places to have drinks/dinner nearby and you can take a short trip by cable-car to get there. It’s also a nice walk along the river at sundown. If you have kids I can't recommend the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (science museum) enough.
Cascais: A former fishing town, about 45mins from Cais de Sodré in Lisbon to Cascais station on the train. Main feature here is the coast and the town which is quite pleasant. If you get to go, there is a big walkway right next to the water known as the Paredão which stretches to São João do Estoril. On a nice sunny day this can make for an excellent walk and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants along the way.
The marina not far from Cascais centre has lots of restaurants and bars. [If you continue further than the marina you have boca do inferno (hell's mouth). It's a natural arch/hole in the cliff next to the sea. Honestly you can skip it I don't know why people find it impressive but right next to it there are a bunch of shacks, some selling traditional portuguese stuff like terra cotta dishware and ceramic tiles.
Here are some places to eat around Cascais (most have been recommended to me by people whose taste I trust):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q8wPCNSt5gNizoL17 (great place for sardines!!)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G2xRHiCB3S3tEmaH6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VDKbwZuYZ67xMeWe8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HrMwFYLPTEK82H2Y6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/j92JyeC5ktWwonTZ9
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fEZ3j7TZxKgovEQo6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8VPy65RUEhVnA87T6Sintra: Not easy to get to without personal transport but this is one of the most beautiful parts of greater Lisbon. Visiting can be dependent on the weather, if it’s cold in Lisbon I’d avoid Sintra, because it tends to be colder and rainier up there due to the altitude. It’s definitely worth the detour, places to see include the beautiful Palacio de Monserrate which was renovated practically from the ground up and the Palacio da Pena (the grounds around the palaces are also quite beautiful). The local reputed pastries are the Travesseiro and the Queijada which you can get from the Piriquita. Also, if you like outdoorsy stuff there are places to go hiking around Sintra which are nice and some places to picnic that are off the beaten track.
Beaches in and around Greater Lisbon/Cascais/Sintra:
There are plenty of beaches in the area that are more or less easy to get to. Before I get to the beaches, I must mention Bolas de Berlim. Keep a bit of cash on you and look out for people shouting 'bola de berlim' (usually they're on bigger beaches). They're vendors walking up and down some of the beaches selling giant sugar covered beignets. They now have some with nutella inside. It's terrible for your health but it hits the spot when you're on the beachOne of the most popular beaches that is fairly easy to get to (by car or train if you don’t mind walking a bit) is the Praia de Carcavelos. It can get veeeeery crowded in summer and people have been known to be robbed on those beaches.
Also popular is the much wilder Guincho beach, with its big sand dunes, it’s a very popular spot for surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, etc. You will need a car to get there though.
For beautiful less frequented beaches around the greater Lisbon area, I have a few suggestions (you’ll need a car for all of these):
Praia d’Adraga - Voted one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches, it’s a fairly wild beach in Sintra, a bit of a drive to get there from Cascais though. If the tide is low and you’re facing the ocean, walking to the left will take you to a ‘hidden’ beach (Praia do Cavalo). Just be careful not to get stuck there when the tide comes up!
Notable mention go to the beaches around Ericeira
Praia da Ursa – Right next to Cabo da Roca (closest point in Mainland Europe to the US). This is a ‘hidden’ nudsist beach and one of my favourites. If you’re looking for privacy that is still accessible, this is a good option but it can be somewhat dangerous to get down so I don’t recommend it for people who have mobility issues. You need to trek down the ‘cliff face’ to get there and it’s not easy to tell where it is even if there are signs showing some sort of beach exists in the area. If you want to know how to get there you can ask me and I’ll give you directions.
Praia da Grota –
My favourite beach to hike to and frankly somewhat dangerous to get to but to me it’s worth it. Very wild, not a soul in sight, beautiful multi-coloured stones and a pool of sea urchins. You have to be careful going here alone because if you get hurt, chances are you won’t have anybody coming anytime soon to help. I’m not certain the rocks on the cliff face to the right are all that stable either. Again if you want directions to here, let me know.A couple of weeks
For something completely different - dolphins!
If you -really- like dolphins you can't miss this tour: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jjwCaCWBSb1vX32E8
It's not cheap and it takes a few hours but you get right up close to the dolphins. One of the coolest things I've done in Lisbon. It's also a tour of the monuments from the sea and you get some really cool shots of things like the Torre de Belém with no tourists in the picture. You get to see lots of interesting seabirds on the way out as well.Setubal - If you have a car and are willing to travel a little outside Lisbon, the beaches in Setubal are very beautiful. It’s on the other side of the 25 d’Abril bridge, in a natural park. Some are not easy to get to but it’s worth the trek. The natural park is also a good if you like to hike, kayak, rock climb or do the coastal version of canyoning. Let me know if you want contacts to do those things.
Obidos
About 1h drive from Lisbon, or 1.5h-2h train ride, Obidos is a very charming picturesque medieval town within the walls of a moorish castle. If you have time it is worth a day trip from Lisbon, especially if you’re on your way to Porto by car. The lagoon is also a great spot for kitesurfing, windsurfing, sailining, and bird watching. -
Comment on Any tips for Barcelona and Lisbon in June/July? in ~travel
Foreigner Link ParentOK get ready to get massively info-dumped! I'm posting as a new comment because I'm not sure it Tildes lets you know when comments are edited. Please excuse the formatting errors! Also don't...OK get ready to get massively info-dumped! I'm posting as a new comment because I'm not sure it Tildes lets you know when comments are edited. Please excuse the formatting errors! Also don't hesitate to ask if you need more info on anything mentioned below.
2 to 3 days:
Fortunately Lisbon is quite small so a lot can easily be done in a couple of days if you stick to the centre. If the weather is nice and you have some extra time, I recommend also visiting Cascais and Sintra. Most of the areas around Lisbon are walkable, and you see a lot more on foot but it's easy to get lost (especially around the bairro alto area) so I recommend a map (or google maps on your phone). Lisbon has a lot of hills, some areas are steep-ish and the sidewalks can be hella slippery if it rains (or even if it doesn't). Wear comfortable shoes and avoid wearing heels/slippery footwear.
Electric trams:
Don't hesitate to take the electric trams up the hills then meander down the streets to explore. I suggest taking number 28 around, it will take you to a lot or near of the places I mention in this doc, and passes by some picturesque areas. Here's a site with a map and more info: https://tram28lisbon.infoAnd tram 12 is also interesting, covers a smaller area but a good bunch of the highlights: https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/lisbon-transport/lisbon-tram-route-12.html
Also there's a funicular that takes you up to bairro (more on that later) if you want to avoid the climb: https://www.lisbonguru.com/ascensor-da-bica-funicular/
Places to eat:
I don’t have a lot of places to recommend because the best place to eat in Lisbon is my mom’s place :P One place I do recommend to get a taste of a variety of Portuguese food in one go is this place: https://maps.google.com/?cid=5682924137613750055&entry=gpsIt's in the courtyard of the building so you need to look for the sign outside and go through a door to get in the building itself. They have a menu where you have small portions of almost all the different 'petiscos' (Portuguese version of tapas) they offer, incl dessert. The desserts are not exactly Portuguese but they were good from what I remember.
In the same building you may notice an elevator on the other side of the courtyard. This takes you up to a rooftop bar which has a sone nice cocktails and a nice view: https://maps.google.com/?cid=16490426474132133053&entry=gps
They also have a restaurant but I've not tried it.
Also here are a couple of pretty famous historic cafés/pastry shops:
A Brasileira: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nr8Twx4FiEtmV2Br5
Confeitaria Nacional: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qr4WqsCgNRSDwzmJ9
Bairro Alto (in Chiado) – Steep small roads with loads of bars, very relaxed atmosphere where all the students go to drink at night. It's considered the 'hip' area for young people with lots of bars, restaurants, etc. Keep an eye on your belongings though, lots of pickpockets in the area. I suggest taking the tram up though, walking up can be tiring. Nearest metro is Baixa/Chiado.
Some notable spots:
• Bar with good food and live music: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xumc6YK4y9SGxGkLA
• Restaurant with fado musicians: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZR81pSy8kPhXt7gi8
• Another place for food and fado but smaller: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9hy5m1fhUMss7zb96Castelo de São Jorge – Lisbon’s ‘main’ castle. Note you might have to pay to get in but there’s an amazing view of the centre of Lisbon. Walking up there from the Praça is very steep but it’s a nice walk if the weather is good and you have time. On the way up you can see the Sé Cathedral: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yTThUrPpaxKTc3Ce9
If you do visit the castle, see if you can get a table at this place. It's a quirky little restaurant with a great view at some tables (you'll probably need to reserve) where they have circus performances some days (it's part of a circus school).
Other areas with notable views (free):
Miradouro de Santa Luzia: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QBGLEhwL4xitdkvRA
Miradouro Santa Catarina (good spot to watch sunset): https://maps.app.goo.gl/HrgTxh9p1BKmv4YAA
Rossio – Nearby you’ll find the Elevador de Santa Justa which was engineered by Gustave Eiffel which can take you up to Chiado (Bairro Alto). Nearest metro is Rossio. If you’re walking from the Rossio metro station, take the ‘Praça Dom Pedro IV’ road (on the square) and the elevator will be on your right. Not too far from the area you also have the Convento do Carmo, a gothic church whose roof was destroyed by the 18th century earthquake.
Praça do Comércio – Huge square, nice architecture and near the water. You can consider this the central area, if you have the water behind you and the statue and the arch in front of you, going inwards and up to the right will take you to the Castelo de São Jorge, going inwards up to the left will take you to Chiado.
Alfama – Lisbon's oldest area. This area is also known as the home of Fado music. It’s worth checking out if they can find a good place to eat/drink at and listen to the music. Technically this is where you find the St Jorge castle, but it stretches all the way from the water up to the castle.
Belém - If you have time it’s worth making a stop at Belém. You have some interesting monuments like the Torre de Belém, Jeronimos monastery where some royals are buried, a big garden and the Belém cultural centre that houses a small modern art museum. Also, for something ‘off the beaten track’ check out the National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches). The real gem of Belém however are the Pasteis de Belém. You might see pastel de nata everywhere in Lisbon, but these are THE BEST (also you can't call them pastel de nata or they'll scowl at you). Don't be intimidated by the queue outside, if you're taking a box or two to go it's quick. There's also plenty of seating inside so don't hesitate to stop by for a break. For the best experience, sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar and cinnamon on top. This is what heaven tastes like.
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Comment on Any tips for Barcelona and Lisbon in June/July? in ~travel
Foreigner LinkHow long will you be in Lisbon? Will you stay in Lisbon only or travel to other areas nearby (like Cascais and Sintra)? Will you rent a vehicle? I have a document I send to friends travelling over...How long will you be in Lisbon? Will you stay in Lisbon only or travel to other areas nearby (like Cascais and Sintra)? Will you rent a vehicle?
I have a document I send to friends travelling over which I can paste here but am currently traveling so may take me a day or two.
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
Foreigner Link ParentLooks like cats who drank raw milk from infected cows contracted H5N1 and died. Maybe it's time to start stocking up on masks and getting vaccinated for the flu (though I'm not sure how much that...Looks like cats who drank raw milk from infected cows contracted H5N1 and died. Maybe it's time to start stocking up on masks and getting vaccinated for the flu (though I'm not sure how much that will help at this point).
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
Foreigner Link ParentIf it's pasteurised it's highly unlikely but it seems consuming raw milk could be a risk. Recently it was reported that cats living on farms who drank raw milk from infected cows contracted the...If it's pasteurised it's highly unlikely but it seems consuming raw milk could be a risk. Recently it was reported that cats living on farms who drank raw milk from infected cows contracted the disease and some of them died.
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Comment on What does “going with your gut” feel like to you? How did you learn to “trust your gut”? in ~talk
Foreigner LinkAs someone who has lived with anxiety pretty much their entire life, I often can't tell the difference between a gut feeling and my brain sounding the alarm as if I'm being hunted for sport. I've...As someone who has lived with anxiety pretty much their entire life, I often can't tell the difference between a gut feeling and my brain sounding the alarm as if I'm being hunted for sport. I've had moments where my panicky little friend has been right, others where it's been wrong. One thing I'm oddly good at however is spotting when someone I work with (colleague, client, partner, etc) is about to leave a company, even when there's 0 evidence to go on. I'm not sure if that's a gut feeling or just subconsciously noticing small changes to the person's behaviour or the atmosphere.
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Comment on Happy 6th Birthday, Tildes! in ~tildes
Foreigner LinkHappy birthday Tildes, thank you for being an oasis of sanity and civility in the middle of all the internet chaos. Thank you @Deimos for keeping the place running smoothly, and thank you to...Happy birthday Tildes, thank you for being an oasis of sanity and civility in the middle of all the internet chaos. Thank you @Deimos for keeping the place running smoothly, and thank you to everyone who contributes to Tildes!
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Foreigner Link ParentOops you're right that was Craig McCracken! Fixed my comment.Oops you're right that was Craig McCracken! Fixed my comment.
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Foreigner (edited )Link ParentI'm not sure I'd call Primal light, it is very violent and gory at times. It's still an interesting series, and made by Gendy Tartakovsky, the creator of Dexter's Laboratory, , Samurai Jack, and...I'm not sure I'd call Primal light, it is very violent and gory at times. It's still an interesting series, and made by Gendy Tartakovsky, the creator of Dexter's Laboratory,
Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and more recently, Unicorn: Warriors Eternal. If you're a fan of those shows it's worth checking it out. -
Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Foreigner Link ParentYeah that's fair, I did drop it at one point in the beginning but then went back to it as I ran out of other things to watch. It is intended for younger audiences after all.Yeah that's fair, I did drop it at one point in the beginning but then went back to it as I ran out of other things to watch. It is intended for younger audiences after all.
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Foreigner Link ParentBee and Puppycat set the bar for me as far as "whimsical slice of life (but not exactly)" shows go. It really is great and I hope they continue it! Have you watched Summer Camp Island? It's more...Bee and Puppycat set the bar for me as far as "whimsical slice of life (but not exactly)" shows go. It really is great and I hope they continue it!
Have you watched Summer Camp Island? It's more "childish" and the style is very different, but also hits the whimsical show spot for me. Not among my favourites, but it might be up your alley if you like B&PC.
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Foreigner Link ParentOh you're in for a treat when you watch Pantheon. I had a slight existential crisis after watching each season. Definitely one of my favourites out of all the series mentioned so farOh you're in for a treat when you watch Pantheon. I had a slight existential crisis after watching each season. Definitely one of my favourites out of all the series mentioned so far
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Foreigner LinkI'll add a few more to the list of those already mentioned: Amphibia OK KO Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (cancelled?) Glitch Techs (cancelled?) Bee and Puppycat Centaur world Moon Girl and Devil...I'll add a few more to the list of those already mentioned:
- Amphibia
- OK KO
- Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (cancelled?)
- Glitch Techs (cancelled?)
- Bee and Puppycat
- Centaur world
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
- Dead End (cancelled)
- Wander Over Yonder
With more adult comedy:
- Inside Job (cancelled)
- Tuca and Bertie
- Star Trek: Lower Decks
- Tear along the dotted line/This world can't tear me down
- Harley Quinn
- Helluva Boss
More humour focused and for "younger" audiences:
- The Amazing World of Gumball
- Kiff
Not at all funny but beautiful:
- Blue eye samurai
- Castlevania
- Cyberpunk Edgerunners
I absolutely do echo recommendations to watch Pantheon and Scavengers Reign, they would have been on this last list if they weren't already mentioned.
Also for anyone who has young kids (or not) I will never stop plugging Bluey. It's my comfort show :)
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Comment on Where are you on the spectrum of vacation planning? Detailed to the hour or floating like a leaf in the wind? in ~travel
Foreigner Link ParentYep that's how we usually organise our holidays as well. Some things you just can't wing it and reserving in advance is a must.Yep that's how we usually organise our holidays as well. Some things you just can't wing it and reserving in advance is a must.
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Comment on The Evolution of Trust game in ~games
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Comment on The Evolution of Trust game in ~games
Foreigner LinkHere's a neat little game for those of you who like math and sociology. You need about 30 minutes to play and it works on mobile too. The game provides an interesting conclusion and I'm curious to...Here's a neat little game for those of you who like math and sociology. You need about 30 minutes to play and it works on mobile too. The game provides an interesting conclusion and I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on it.
I don't know anyone who is allergic to toddlers and drunk people, but I know plenty of people allergic to dogs to the point where they have serious breathing difficulties being around them (my wife being one of them).
If we're talking outdoors or dedicated spaces for pets where those who are allergic are not exposed then fine. But the number of times I've had to restrain people's dogs because their owners would let them get up in my wife's business is ridiculously high. Too many people do not train their dogs properly. I love dogs, but as long as there are people who have medical issues being around them, and people who don't respect that by letting their dogs run amok, I'm firmly in the camp of keeping pets out of most public spaces.