It has been a great week so far and the weather has been cooperative for the most part.  Today the weather is considerably more showery, so we are not making any plans at all.  Not that we have had plans since arriving in Ericeira.  I mean, we would literally step outside and randomly decide whether to walk left or right.
. The coastline is beautiful and the waves are impressive.  It is no wonder this town has a bunch of schools for aspiring surfers.  There are so many places I could take my camera and be occupied for hours.  
   A typical day has been going for a walk north or south, watching the waves, stopping for a small beer, walking until we find a fun restaurante or cafe, more walking, chilling, finding another restaurante for dinner, and stopping at our favorite geladaria.  Every day since arriving in Portugal I have averaged more than 10k steps or 5 miles of walking, according to Fitbit.  Cindy has also been walking around 5 miles, but 16k steps, which confirms my theory she takes tiny steps like a red-headed penguin.

   I went to a store this week and found these cookies, or biscuits as the Brits call them.  They are called "Maria" here, but I remember them as "Marie".  These remind me of being a teenagers in Wales and eating these with tea or coffee in my grandparents' small TV room in Briton Ferry.  I loved to dip them in my drink and sometimes challenge myself to see how long I could dip one without it falling apart into my drink.
.  On a different topic, Cindy and I have seen lots of people walking dogs, which are very well behaved here.  Unfortunately none of the dogs seem to be available to stop for Cindy to pet and call "good boy".  I can always here Cindy say, "Aaawwww, puppy", but she never gets a chance to love on them. 
   And another observation we have made is how many parents carry their toddlers in carriers strapped to the front of the parent, much like a kangeroo pouch.  Sometimes, however, we have seen a toddler whose feet extend well below the parent's knees and we swear the child could be old enough to point in the general direction of the nearest pub.  If the child is large enough to find a job, maybe it is time to let the kid walk on its own?  Just a suggestion.
   Well, the sun just poked out from the clouds, so we are heading out the door.  There are a few towns in Portugal suffering from flooding and snow, so we feel blessed the weather is as good as it is here.  

   We started the morning with a great breakfast in our hotel.  Our previous hotel delivered freah bread and Pasteis de Nata to the room and we had eggs and cheese in our fridge, but the hotel in Ericeira has a small dining room with eggs, bread, cheese, fruit, coffee, and cereal.
. After breakfast, Cindy and I walked along a path that followed the cliff's edge all the way to the northern part of town.  We saw several surf schools and people on the beach all enjoying the beautiful weather.  Meanwhile, Cindy carried a bag of stale bread to feed the birds.  Spoiler alert - she forgot to feed the birds so she still has bread in her purse.
  We found a real "supermercado" that closely resembled a grocery store in the United States, so Cindy was able to feed her addiction to Coca Cola products by buying a 12-pack.  
   We stopped at a nice restaurant (Pedra Dura) a few blocks from the beach for a late lunch where Cindy enjoyed a nice steak and I had octopus and sautéed vegetables.  Very tasty! 🐙
   In the process of searching for lunch we discovered the price for a meal in inversely proportional to the restaurant's proximity to the ocean.  For example, one restaurant prices its meal by the kilogram, so if you want grouper, you buy the ENTIRE grouper and pay for it by weight.  At €40/kg, that would have been an expensive meal.
   Our evening was spent enjoying a beer at a local cafe people watching and searching for a corkscrew to open a bottle of wine in our room.  Of course, our evening would not be complete without a trip to the geladaria next door to the hotel! I was once again able to practice more Portuguese and we chatted about all the flavors they sell as well as talking about the translator-induced terror alert in Lisbon last week.  If you didn't hear, a tourist walked into a restaurant and wanted pomegranate juice, but his translator app said "grenade".  Cue up the police sirens and terror alerts!  🍎💥
​   Thursday is expected to be a windy and wet day, so we will probably spend most of the day inside.

   Before leaving Lisbon, Cindy and I made sure to thank our hotel staff for all their help and professionalism while sorting through the reservation mix up.  Again, I do not recommend using @hotel, Expedia, and anything shared by Lisbon.Travel on Instagram.  
  We caught the Metro to the Campo Grande bus station and searched for Line 2740 to Ericeira.  We had only 10 minutes to catch the next bus, so I did not hesitate to ask one of the drivers for help.  My initial instinct now is to speak Portuguese first and only resort to English as a last resort.  Even when I see a "i​" on a map or sign my mind thinks "informação".
  We found the bus, which took an hour to bring us to the coast.  Cindy is not a fan of public transport, so this pretty much met her limit of "fun".
  The hotel was fairly easy to find and checking in was a breeze.  The staff told me I could speak English if I wanted to, but I insisted I wanted to practice my Portuguese as much as possible.   Our room is cozy and the window has a view of the beach.  Everything is within walking distance and we even found a Mexican restaurant for Cindy! 🌮
  The coast is beautiful and there are cute cafes and restaurants everywhere.  While we enjoyed a quiet dinner outside, we noticed many of the children (and dogs) were dressed up in costumes and going store to store for "trick or treat".
   Here is a little backstory.  I have had this trip planned since March, so when I booked this hotel in Ericeira I knew about the Mexican restaurant as well as the galadaria around the corner.  So when we walked back to the hotel from dinner, I made sure to stop for ice cream.  Score another WIN!  Cindy and I stopped for a few scoops and I was able to chat with the two employees behind the counter.  I told them I have been wanting to visit their store since March and they chuckled. It turns out one is Cuban and has been in Portugal for only 6 months, so she is learning Portuguese as well.  Her coworker was also very friendly and asked why I was able to speak Portuguese.  We chatted about my language lessons and the weather in Cuba and South Carolina among other things.  I think we chatted for a good 10 or 15 minutes.  Definitely going there again! 🍦🍦🍦

   Our last full day in Lisbon and we are finally greeted by sunny, blue skies.  Cindy and I hiked up the hill to explore the Carmo Convent.  Let me start by saying it boggles my mind how these stone cathedrals were built hundreds of years ago.  I am not an engineer or architect, but still, how did they create such elaborate structures that have withstood (for the most part) the tests of time?  Cindy fell in love with the fat cat within the convent walls, who is obviously cared for by the staff.  We witnessed some of the staff leaving at the end of their shift and the cat wailed and cried she might not eat again for another 15 minutes!
  Later we took a couple Lime scooters and cruised up and down the river like some misfit biker gang.
​   Finally, we enjoyed a small Fado show not far from our hotel.  The guitar players were absolutely amazing, not to mention the singers.

   This morning I grabbed the camera early in the morning so I could catch the sunrise from Alfama.  It was actually very nice to walk the deserted streets without the need to dodge all the tourists and cars.  It was also theraputic to watch the sky change colors and the city lights gradually extinguish themselves as the Sun peeked over the horizon.  Immediately afterward, I wandered to a couple cathedrals before returning to the hotel.  My goal is to have enough new photos to create another calendar, so I will let you know in November how that goes.
  Our only plan for the day written in stone was to meet Beth Corrick for lunch near the Antique Art museum.  I decided to take Cindy inside the museum first and I found a few displays from one of my college homework assignments; prints depicting the Portuguese discovering Japan in the 1540s and sending missionaries to convert them to Catholicism.  This was one of the "Visita Guiada" episodes on RTP2, if anyone is interested in learning more.  On the way out, Cindy needed to use the restroom, so I asked one of the employees for directions (in Portuguese, of course).  The woman replied extremely quickly, but I was able to catch the key words and not get lost.
   While walking across the street to lunch, we realized Cindy left my umbrella in the Uber.  We still had her smaller umbrella in my backpack, so at least we had a little protection from the frequent rainshowers, but not much.  Cindy and I stood outside the restaurant and noticed the same museum employee walking up the street toward us.  That was when we realized we had asked Beth for the restroom directions!  She had me completely fooled she was not a native Portuguese speaker.
   There were seven of us at lunch and it was great to meet so many kind and funny people.  The food was almost as fantastic as the company.  Thank you once again, Beth, for setting this up. ❤️
   Cindy and I took another Uber down to Belem to see the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, but the internet was down and it took forever to get a Lisbon Card pass.  Meanwhile it was pouring rain and I broke down and bought one of those cheap €5 umbrellas sold by a lone vender on the street.  MISTAKE!  Two minutes later the umbrella was inside out and looking like something from a cartoon.  Cindy and I were quickly drenched and decided it would be better to return tomorrow.
   So we dried off in our hotel room, enjoyed a light dinner out, and watched the hundreds of people walk by.  All of them soaking in Lisbon in their own way.
   An interesting observation by Cindy:  We have been in a major European city for four days, surrounded by tourists and foreigners left and right, and we have not seen a single spy being chased by a band of villains.  All those movies are a lie!

   Today we took everything very casually and there was no rush to get anywhere.  The only thing we had to do was pack up everything because our hotel was moving us to a larger suite.
  We eventually left the hotel and caught the Metro to Cais Do Sodré.  Almost as if the clouds were mocking us, it started to rain as we hit the streets.  We had our umbrellas, but we would have preferred the sunny skies we always see in Instagram posts.  Luckily we were a few doors down from Time Out Market, so we ducked inside and enjoyed a café and Pastel de Nata.  I am impressed with how many restaurantes are in here, all serving a different cuisine (even doughnuts).
   Once the showers ended, Cindy and I walked toward the famous "Pink Street".  Apparently this street is not ready for tourists before Noon because we witnessed many of the umbrellas scattered in the street instead of magically floating overhead the restaurant tables.  It was a bit of a letdown, much like when a child at Disney sees an employee wearing half a Mickey Mouse costume while smoking a cigarette.  Off to Plan B.
   Our next stop was Elevadore da Bica, which is a tiny trolley that climbs up and down an extremely steep hill.  The line to ride the trolley was huge, and Cindy was not ready for a lot of walking, so I hiked up the hill by myself to photograph the street from the top.  Once I was there, I prepared my camera when I noticed a familiar Canon camera hanging from the neck of an equally familiar Scotsman.  The same Scotsman from Castelo do São Jorge!  We chatted a bit, took our photos, and went on our separate ways.
   I found Cindy at the bottom of thie hill and we wandered back to Pink Street.  The umbrellas and restaurant tables were all out on display and ready for the tourists, just in time for the next wave of showers to drench everyone.  Cindy and I sought shelter under a small bridge until the rain stopped, then returned to Rossio.

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   We found a cafe next to Praça do Rossio and met one of my weekly language partners, Virginia.  She is a teacher in Lisbon who speaks English very well, but wants someone with whom she can practice and stay fluent.  In return she graciously helps me learn Portuguese via video chats once per week.  The three of us seemed to chat forever over coffee.  Eventually it was time to return to our hotel, but it was great to meet Virginia in person.  Thank you for taking the time to see us. 
​  At sunset, we were treated to seeing the Moon rise behind the Castle and enjoyed a laid back dinner at an outdoor restaurante.  The Americans sitting at the table next to us was having no success asking for red wine in Americanized-English, so I interjected on their behalf in Portuguese to assist the confused waitress.
  Finally, Cindy is a bit disappointed in the visit so far.  We are in a major European city filled with tourists and foreigners.  Yet we haven't seen a single spy being chased by armed villains.  Maybe tomorrow, Baby.  There is always tomorrow.

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   Today we slept in.  Mostly due to jet lag, but partly because we were in no rush to go anywhere.  This morning it hit us how nice this hotel is when I found a bag of bread hanging outside from our doorknob.  There was even a pair of Pasteis de Nata in there!  So I made a cheese sandwich for breakfast and waited for Cindy to crawl out of bed.
  The weather was cloudy with isolated showers, but at least it was 72⁰F and nice to walk up to Alfama.  Our first stop was to check out Sé de Lisboa, also known as the Lisbon Cathedral.  It is the oldest cathedral in Lisbon and the head of the Catholic Church in Portugal.  It is stunning to admire the interior and this was my first time inside.
​  Later we went further up the hill and walked around the Castle of St Jorge.  We ran into a Scottish couple who graciously took our photo and during our brief chat mentioned they "love Lisbon, which has a warmer rain than Glasgow."  
  Due to a few brief showers, the sidewalks had become slippery tiles with the potential to cause a nasty fall, so we elected to take a TukTuk back down to Rua da Prata.  I stand by my tip for picking a TukTuk.  Any journey in one is taking your life into your own hands, so you might as well find the TukTuk with the most dents and a driver missing at least 2 fingers.  This guy surely knows how to survive a crash, so you know you stand a 50/50 chance with him/her at the wheel.

   The weather was a tad chilly with a strong breeze, so we elected to eat indoors. The food was incredible and the staff was extremely friendly. Our waiter kept saying my Portuguese was amazing and he was a little embarassed my grammar was better than his. He told us he learned English as a child by watching "The Simpsons", and I have to admit his English was very good. 
   Then I ordered Mango Mousse and wanted two spoons, but of all things to forget, I could not remember the word for "spoon". COLHER!!! He laughed and thanked me for screwing up at least once tonight
   Cindy mentioned she remembers only two phrases in French and used my phone's DeepL app to confirm the spelling.  Then I asked her if she knew what "Queres casar comigo?" meant.  Of course not, so I showed her the translation in DeepL with one hand and the diamond ring in the other.  Her eyes began to tear up, and of course she said, "Yes".  I mean, this ME we are talking about.  

   Bom dia!  We have arrived safely in Portugal and are currently resting in our comfy hotel suite.  More on that fiasco later.
   The flight was amazing.  We flew out of Charleston, South Carolina, at 7:45pm and stopped over in Washington D.C. for 5 minutes.  Yeah, you read that correctly.  We had enough time to hustle from the far end of the D terminal to the opposite end of C terminal and literally walked straight onto the waiting plane to Lisbon.  The good news was it was half empty so Cindy and I had plenty of room to stretch.
   We landed in Lisbon around 10:30am local time and I was able to navigate the Metro like a pro, thanks to a week of experience from last year's visit.
   We found our hotel and tried to check in, only to find @Hotel.com screwed up and made our reservation for April!  Yeah, and they work with Expedia who screwed up my trip last year.  So after an hour of speaking with the very friendly and helpful staff, they found us a suite and cut us a nice deal.  Still not the 7 days for $400 that was promised by @hotel.com, but this trip is special since Cindy has never been out of the USA.  By the way, I spoke only Portuguese to the staff to explain everything that I knew about the booking problem.  I think that helped make things easier to resolve the problem as well as it did.
  Once the room was sorted out, we walked straight to Vodafone to put Portuguese SIM cards in our Samsung phones.  Now we have Portuguese phone numbers and much better data than if we roamed with Verizon.  Again, I spoke only in Portuguese which intrigued the employee.  She complimented my speaking a "difficult language" and made sure Cindy and I were satisfied with their service.
   Next stop was to get lunch.  I had sardinhas assadas and Cindy had a burger and fries.  She was tired, so I am not going to pick on her choice of cuisine.
   We continued to walk around Rossio and had a TukTuk driver peddle his services on us.  Again, using only Portuguese, I told him we literally just arrived in country but we have another six days to hire him.  His eyes got big as he said "You speak Portuguese!  Where are you from?"  I wanted to test him to see how "Americanized" I looked and his first guess was New Zealand, followed by the Unites States.  Our conversation continued on to where in the USA and how long I have been learning the language.  

Once we returned to the hotel our suite was ready, complete with washer/dryer, bread delivered to our door in the mornings, and a bottle of wine waiting in our room.  Our balcony looks up and down Rua da Prata, translated into "Silver Street".  We are just around the corner from Praça dos Restauradores, Elevadore de Santa Justa, and Praça do Comércio.
   Cindy is crashed in the bed as I write this, but I am sure you will hear more from her soon.

​Sunsets have a timeless allure that photographers can't resist. The warm, golden hues, the soft, diffused light, and the dramatic sky can transform even the simplest scene into a work of art. Now, add a woman to the equation, and you have the perfect recipe for a captivating photograph. In this blog, we'll explore the art of photographing a woman at sunset, unlocking the secrets to capturing the magic of this enchanting moment.

The Magic Hour

The first step in creating stunning sunset portraits of a woman is timing. The magic hour, also known as the golden hour, is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, casting a warm, diffused light that bathes everything in a soft, flattering glow. This is the ideal time to capture the beauty of both the natural surroundings and the subject.

Location, Location, Location

Selecting the right location is crucial for sunset photography. A picturesque backdrop can elevate your image from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether it's a serene beach, a rolling field, a cityscape, or a forest, choose a location that complements your subject's personality and style.

Consider how the location interacts with the setting sun. Are there interesting silhouettes or elements that can enhance the composition? Is there a body of water that can reflect the colors of the sunset? Plan your shoot carefully, taking into account the direction of the light and the positioning of your model.

Posing and Expression

Posing your model and capturing genuine expressions are key elements in portrait photography. Encourage your subject to relax and be herself, as authenticity shines through in photographs. Pose her in ways that highlight her best features and complement the natural surroundings.

Engage with your model, create a connection, and capture candid moments that reveal her personality. Whether it's a spontaneous laugh, a thoughtful gaze, or a graceful movement, these authentic moments can be the most captivating.

Post-Processing
Once you've captured a series of beautiful sunset portraits, it's time to enhance them in post-processing. Editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop allows you to fine-tune exposure, colors, and contrast to achieve the desired mood and style.
Keep in mind that while post-processing can enhance your images, it's important not to overdo it. The goal is to enhance the natural beauty of the sunset and your subject, not to create an unrealistic or overly edited look.
Conclusion
Photographing a woman at sunset is a magical experience that combines the beauty of nature with the allure of portraiture. By carefully selecting the right location, wardrobe, and styling, mastering composition and framing, working with the golden hour light, and capturing authentic moments, you can create stunning images that capture the essence of this enchanting moment. Remember that practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't meet your expectations. Keep experimenting, refining your techniques, and embracing the art of photographing a woman at sunset. The results are sure to be breathtaking.