UPDATE! This workshop sold out in less than an hour! Alex is working on dates for a second retreat. I will let you know more soon.
If you have been dreaming of traveling to Portugal and are wanting to join Alex Castro Ferreira and myself next year I wanted to re-share a previous installment of An Artist In. This will give you a taste of Alex and her eyes and heart for this part of the world. Get on the First to Know List for our Tattered + Torn Workshop.
The sixth in the series is An Artist in Lisbon with Alexandra Castro Ferreira. Alexandra has the most beautiful gift of storytelling through journal-making.
I was born 52 years ago in the largest maternity of Lisbon called maternidade Alfredo da Costa. The people born in Lisbon are called the alfaçinhas or ‘little lettuce’ (a diminutive of this vegetable), and the first time it was written was in the 19th century, by Almeida Garrett, in the book ‘Viagens na Minha Terra’.
There’s so much to see and usually little time. You will be in awe by Lisbon’s light, the striking views, the amazing seafood and most of all by the Portuguese.
We are welcoming, giving, curious, and open minded. We usually start the day with an expresso called “italiana” please ask in a coffee “quero uma italiana por favor” or “quero um café abatanado” (big coffee) and please if you enjoy coffee don’t miss “quero um galão” (hot coffee with milk in an hot glass cup with plenty of sugar). Thank you is OBRIGADO
Your travel guide will invite you to take the 28 famous tramway which I still enjoy when not taking my car.
You will visit historical places like the Jerónimo monastery which is 5mn from my home, museums and hear our traditional music called the fado. Check https://www.anamoura.pt one of my favorites fado singers.
If you are creative you will love http://lxfactory.com. This is one of my favorite spots in Lisbon with amazing concept stores, art galleries, a unique bookstore, and restaurants. Every Sunday there’s also a flea market, good memories as I used to sell there.
Don’t miss
Landeau chocolate best cake ever. It belongs to a friend and the decoration is exquisite.
Unusual Bookstore Ler Devagar
Art gallery
https://www.artstudiolisbon.com
Handmade organic beauty shop https://benamor1925.com/pt-pt/
Restaurants
Another spot not to be missed every Tuesday and Saturday is Lisbon’s most famous flea market called FEIRA DA LADRA. You’ll find vintage objects, Portuguese handicrafts and second-hand clothes. Please bargain as they like to overprice for tourists.
I usually eat at this restaurant who has the particularity that everything cooked is with mushrooms https://www.santaclaradoscogumelos.com
Downtown historical Lisbon
I have lunch (not dinner overpriced) in this amazing old renovated palace.
I then always visit this old store that is filled with products that remind me of my youth.
https://www.avidaportuguesa.com
I then have a pause in our famous coffee shop.
https://www.abrasileira.pt/?lang=en
By now you will have already eaten several pasteis de nata with an expresso. Also try água das pedras unusual sparkling water for a good digestion.
If you are a fan of dolls or need a doll to be repaired go to this old tiny shop called http://hospitaldebonecas.com
If you are wanting a restaurant with a spectacular view to Lisbon eat in Ponto. I like to go before sunset and you will need a reservation.
Take the ferry from Lisbons’ Cais do Sodré (every 10 minutes, weekend every 20 min.) to the other side of the river Tagus: Cacilhas, a 10 min trip. The trip in itself is worth it. As you get off the ferry, it takes about 15 minutes to walk along the river to Restaurant ‘Ponto Final’, after passing lots of ruinous warehouses.
https://www.instagram.com/pontofinalrest/?hl=en
Another of my favorites spots is
https://chapito.org/areas-de-actuacao/economia-social/chapito-a-mesa/ the restaurant Chapitó has an amazing view over Lisbon and it’s a school who help young who have challenging times.
Here is also another spot with an amazing view https://www.amargem.com/.
A little of touristssightseeing and totally worth it is Campo de ourique neighborhood. If you are fan of hats ,like I am, this shop is a must. The owner is passionate and totally dedicated.
If you are fan of fabrics after leaving the hat shop turn left and you’ll find several fabric shops. 5mn walk
After buying all your goodies stop at this little shop to have a delicious chocolate cake, again 5mn walk from the fabrics and the hats.
https://www.omelhorbolodechocolatedomundobycbl.net
I know that your trip to Lisbon will be special and you’ll return home with a longing and will probably want to come back. It happens to all my foreign friends.
Feel free to ask me more informations through my Instagram or my site I will gladly be of service.
https://www.alexcastroferreira.com
https://www.instagram.com/alexcastroferreira7770/
Quotes from Fernando Pessoa one of our greatest poet.
“Life is what we make of it. Travel is the traveler. What we see isn’t what we see but what we are.”
― Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet
The value of things is not the time they last, but the intensity with which they occur. That is why there are unforgettable moments and unique people!
― Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet
I am a mixed media artist. I was born in Lisbon, Portugal. My mom is french and my father is Portuguese so I am grateful to embrace two cultures and truly I am a citizen of the world as I have been traveling for more than 30 years now. I answered my calling in Los Angeles, back in 2006 at Barnes and Nobles when buying the book of Bev Brazelton “altered books workshop”. It literally changed my life. I found a community, a sense of deep connection to the world and to myself. My altered books, journals, recycled objects and talisman jewelry tell my story, where I came from where I am where i am going and show you the way to tell your story if you are willing to.
I am blessed to have found the love of my life, my husband Luis who happened to live in the childhood home one street behind mine…we were bound to live, love and grow together.
Welcome to my world.
You can connect with Alex HERE.