Some people are finding this direct Google Map link very helpful, whereas others can find it for themselves.
The venue is the Hipódromo Manuel Possolo, Cascais. As you may know, you can learn how far away your accommodations are and the estimated walking time by clicking Get Directions, entering your address, then clicking the icon of the person walking. Note, however, that the farther inland you go, the steeper it gets, and I don't think Google has taken topography into account. That's a way of saying allow extra time.
It's too bad that clicking the icon for public transportation, which normally would give you extra data about public-transit options and even schedules, doesn't work. Helpfully Google has message saying it "appears to be outside our current coverage area."
I must say that the Google map of Cascais has gotten more accurate since spring, when I found it completely inaccurate.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
More on Phones
But not from a moron this time - sorry, a dumb play on the first words of the title of this post, for those of you not used to my sense of humor - but from Tom, who I used to envy for having a working mobile at Summer Festival, just like the Brits and other civilized people. (Aren't Americans supposed to be the tech-y ones?) He was one of the first people I know to demonstrate the benefits of the iPhone in a way that I valued. His email is quoted here, with some interjections in brackets from me:
"Having a phone is only really necessary if you have people to call - if you are traveling or your other friends have arranged to have phones. If your friends do have phones, then having one yourself is quite useful.
[In case of emergency, it makes a huge difference to have a phone. Not that anything ever goes wrong in samsara, of course ; )
Other possible people to call might include family members coming to Portugal who aren't attending the teachings, so that you can coordinate your activities. However, note that for calling from Portugal to the U.S., it's far cheaper and easier to get a phone card. I can't be responsible for your mobile bill if you're calling to the U.S. on your usual phone or if you're using your smartphone to check the Internet while you're there: I just read of a traveler who ran up a $4,000 bill! I'm bringing an IDT/Costco phone card, which only charges 4 cents a minute for calls from Portugal to the U.S. Jody has used that card for many years to call home from Summer Festival and highly recommends it. After you buy it, before you leave the U.S. you need to call the toll-free customer service on the back of the card. I already had the card, but called their excellent service to get the number in Portugal (800 813 000 but double-check) to "top up" (add minutes) and confirm the rate. If you're not a Costco member, there are lots of places you can get a cheap phone card before your trip. After all, immigrants use them all the time for calling their home country.
Speaking of friends, I've started thinking about how I'm going to find Sangha friends who I only get to see at Festival - and there are going to be 8,000+ people there! Can't really imagine what that's going to be like. In that case, too, it helps to have a working phone. There are other low-tech ways we can find our friends at Festival, of course. I'm expecting there will be some kind of message board, as usual. It helps to know where they're staying. Or for people you really want to see, you can contact them before you leave and arrange to meet: "After the empowerment in the bookstore," for example. Or ask the Buddhas to have your friend appear before you. It works, as many longtime Festival-goers will testify! Who needs technology?
If you're leaning toward buying a cheap mobile that works in Portugal (and pretty much the rest of the world except the U.S.), there are a few more advantages I can think of:
OK. Long digression Back to Tom ...]
The simplest option is to have your traveling companion get a phone, then stick close to them.
"Having a phone is only really necessary if you have people to call - if you are traveling or your other friends have arranged to have phones. If your friends do have phones, then having one yourself is quite useful.
[In case of emergency, it makes a huge difference to have a phone. Not that anything ever goes wrong in samsara, of course ; )
Other possible people to call might include family members coming to Portugal who aren't attending the teachings, so that you can coordinate your activities. However, note that for calling from Portugal to the U.S., it's far cheaper and easier to get a phone card. I can't be responsible for your mobile bill if you're calling to the U.S. on your usual phone or if you're using your smartphone to check the Internet while you're there: I just read of a traveler who ran up a $4,000 bill! I'm bringing an IDT/Costco phone card, which only charges 4 cents a minute for calls from Portugal to the U.S. Jody has used that card for many years to call home from Summer Festival and highly recommends it. After you buy it, before you leave the U.S. you need to call the toll-free customer service on the back of the card. I already had the card, but called their excellent service to get the number in Portugal (800 813 000 but double-check) to "top up" (add minutes) and confirm the rate. If you're not a Costco member, there are lots of places you can get a cheap phone card before your trip. After all, immigrants use them all the time for calling their home country.
Speaking of friends, I've started thinking about how I'm going to find Sangha friends who I only get to see at Festival - and there are going to be 8,000+ people there! Can't really imagine what that's going to be like. In that case, too, it helps to have a working phone. There are other low-tech ways we can find our friends at Festival, of course. I'm expecting there will be some kind of message board, as usual. It helps to know where they're staying. Or for people you really want to see, you can contact them before you leave and arrange to meet: "After the empowerment in the bookstore," for example. Or ask the Buddhas to have your friend appear before you. It works, as many longtime Festival-goers will testify! Who needs technology?
If you're leaning toward buying a cheap mobile that works in Portugal (and pretty much the rest of the world except the U.S.), there are a few more advantages I can think of:
- It's so much easier to call a taxi or even a local restaurant or museum, etc.
- If you're not a big traveler - or you want to help finance future trips - you can resell it when you get back, and probably make some money on it, judging by what I've seen when I investigated getting an international phone here. Check out eBay, for instance.
- If are a traveler or you're planning to go to Summer Festival and/or other international Festivals, it will come in handy. We bought a very basic international mobile when we were abroad, and now we can simply buy a SIM card for whatever country we're traveling in.
OK. Long digression Back to Tom ...]
The simplest option is to have your traveling companion get a phone, then stick close to them.
The simplest solution may be to get an international plan from your current provider. These are expensive. ATT's was about $70 for the minimum use of voice and text. But it is not that much more expensive than unlocking your phone or buying another phone and it is much simpler. If you want simplicity and don't anticipate that much use, this may be the best option.
[I don't think this is an option for most of us, but check with your carrier/phone company. One reason I consulted Tom is that his experience has been so different from mine, partly because as a computer programmer he's much better at technology than I am, but also because it's very different if you're with ATT vs. others. I haven't been able to find a reasonable way to use my Verizon smartphone abroad, and I have looked into it.] The next option is to use your own phone. There are two requirements for this: it must be unlocked and it must be compatible with the cell network in Portugal. If you bought your phone with a contract, it is probably locked to that carrier. Different carriers have different policies about unlocking phones. I think Verizon is fairly liberal and your phone may already be unlocked or can be unlocked with a call to customer support. [There are U.S. laws that prevent unlocking phones, but there are efforts to overturn them. For more information, you can start with this CNet article.]
ATT does not unlock phones until they are out of contract. However, with some effort I was able to discover that I could end my contract by paying an early termination fee and that the termination fee would apply to my next payments. I didn't know about it being applied to your next payments. In my case, 1 year into contract, the fee was $215. This will apply to my next 2.5 monthly payments. In effect, you are just making an early payment. As long as I stay with ATT until that payment has been fully applied to monthly bills it costs me no extra money. My service with ATT continues at the same rate but my phone is now "out of contract" and they unlocked it for me.
I don't know about policies of other carriers but give them a call.
As for compatibility, that it a little more complex. I believe that most of Europe uses "GSM." [Don't even ask why doesn't the U.S. doesn't simply adopt the otherwise universal standard of the rest of the world? Hmm ... think metric?] ATT uses "GSM." My iPhone has worked in England. I expect it to work in Portugal. Verizon's network uses a different technology and Verizon phone's may or may not be compatible. You can find out by researching what frequencies your phone supports and what frequencies are used in Portugal. [A few years ago when I was shopping for a new phone, you needed buy an expensive "dual-band" or even "tri-band"phone to get those frequencies.]
I don't plan to do the research. I'm just going to hope it works and move to alternate plans as needed: "B" (buy a phone there), "C" (stick close to a friend with a phone), or "D" (hang out with whoever happens to appear). It will be what it is.
Buying a phone there is potentially very simple or very complicated. If you search on the net you will find companies who will sell you European SIM cards and phones. If you buy and use one of those, it is pretty simple. If you think: "but are they giving me a good price? Maybe I can find a better price. Maybe I want an unlocked smart phone" and then look on eBay for options, that quickly gets very complicated. [That was definitely my experience.] You may then think: "I'll just wait until I land in Lisbon. Surely there will be phones for sale there and they should all work in Portugal. Guaranteed." There probably will be and probably for a good price. This could be very simple. Unless it is complicated or impossible. It will certainly be one of those: simple, complicated, or impossible. If you then think: "I don't like leaving that up to chance, urm, my karma." Then you could buy a phone off the internet and be content with the price you paid, which is probably pretty good. [Not that I could find, and I did a pretty thorough search.] But you should compare that to just adding international service to your own plan…" [When I contacted Verizon a few years ago, it was prohibitively expensive.]"
OK we're done talking now. You can hang up. : )
What I Like to Pack
In case you're interested, here are a few items I like to bring that mostly aren't on the usual packing lists. What finally ends up in my bag depends on how much room there is, but I'm hoping reading this may stimulate your own ideas for what might make your trip a bit more comfortable. Just don't drive yourself crazy with details!
IMPORTANT
Electrical converters! You already know about them if you followed the link to Rick Steves' packing list in an earlier post called Packing Thoughts & Lists, where he has a link to a nice explanation at Electric Europe: Adapters and Converters. Wise and experienced traveler LindaL helpfully reminded me to emphasize this: "For those who are bringing cell phones and other electronic gadgets, they will need to figure out a proper electrical plug adapter and maybe a converter. Our standard US plugs won't fit. I wouldn't count on the hotel, because everyone might be requesting to recharge cellphones. At a minimum you need to have a compatible electrical plug adapter."
Think through your everything you're bringing that uses electricity. Are you bringing an iPad? an eBook reader? (By the way, I got Kindle as a gift and find it great for travel. Did you see that Tharpa has ebooks for The New Heart of Wisdom and The New Guide to Dakini Land, as well as Eight Steps and Modern Buddhism and some sadhanas? It's nice that most of the books are also available as audio MP3s, for listening to on the plane with an iPod, for example. The Kindle only comes with a USB recharger, and I'm not planning to bring anything with a USB port, so I went looking for a wall charger. Amazon had various ones for around $20, but for $5 more, you can get a wall charger that comes with 6 adapters for international travel, as well as a long cable.)
It might not just be recharging your cell phone. (By the way, is your phone even going to work over there? Click the Phone label in the right column of this website to get more info; warning: potentially complicated!).
Linda and I both thought this page had some useful details: Electrical Plug/Outlet and Voltage Information for Portugal. See also the post Electricity in Portugal
Safety travel pouch - for keeping your passport, a credit card, and other essential items close to your body, away from thieves. They come in different forms, such as money-belts and over-the-neck pouches. You can see some of the styles at the Rick Steves Travel Store, all of which are reduced in price through the end of the day. For more information, see the excellent Rick Steves' article Travel with a Money Belt: Your Portable Safe.
FOOD/DRINK
Travel Food - I like healthy energy bars (especially Lara Bars, which taste good and have a short, simple list of ingredients) and nuts or trail mix. Trader Joe's seems to have the best prices on both. For the first leg of the trip, you can bring food like carrot sticks, peanut butter sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs (stored in a egg container, such as the cardboard container they're sold in the store pared down to fit the number of eggs you're bringing), along with salt & pepper packets. The bars and nuts are good for later in the trip. I like knowing that if there are delays and I'm stuck somewhere, I won't go hungry and won't have to overpay.
Go Greens - a health-conscious Sangha friend uses these all the time. A powder made of organic fruit and vegetables that comes in small, light packets that are easy to add to a bottle of water and are reasonably priced. I got mine at Vitacost, and I know they sell various kinds on Amazon, but saw online that they also sell them at Costco. Note that there are other products named "GreensToGo" that are much more expensive, which seem to be sold by possibly dubious alternative healers.
Emergen-C - the supplement mix that has vitamins C and B, electrolytes,
nutrients, and antioxidants, for preventing colds and infections. It comes in travel-friendly light packets, but check the ingredients for the somewhat healthier flavors with less sugar. The Lite version, which the Vitacost website which helpfully lists the ingredients of the supplements they sell, says it has 1g of sugar (vs 6g in some of the other flavors), but I'm the not sure if that's sweetened with one of those more dubious chemicals such as Aspartame. It's cheaper at SuperSupplements and Trader Joe's.
Teabags - I love tea and always carry around a few of my favorites in my bag. When I travel I bring various flavors, including some chamomile in case I need a mild sleep aid. Traveling tends to constipate some people; I recommend a senna-based tea such as Smooth Move, a mild but effective laxative. Some places don't offer green tea, and some have really bad black tea.
Coffee drinkers may want to get some of those instant Starbucks Via packets, which I've heard are pretty good for instant and sometimes appear at Costco.
Water Bottle - I don't like water in plastic bottles, because they're not environmentally friendly, the water is not good quality (although it presents itself as healthier than drinking from a tap) and I have reason to believe the plastic leaches possibly toxic substances, particularly if the bottles have been in the sun. They are convenient, however, and I do buy them occasionally, particularly for Go Greens or Emergen-C so that I don't have to clean out my bottle.
Travel Mug - optional if there's room, but I've found I'm happy to have it. I often put my teabags inside, to save room and keep things organized.
By the way, if you want to save money on meals, even if you don't have access to a kitchen, there are some tips on things to pack that will allow you to prepare simple meals at Self-cater Meals in a Hotel Room: What to Pack
OTHER
NoJetLag - see the post Jet Lag Remedies for more information.
Thumb drive - for a few essential computer files. I'm going to try to learn how to encrypt the info. Apparently Windows comes with an encryption program, and I know there are others on the Web. Do I need to warn you about installing software from the web on your computer? Find a trusted site, possibly CNet?
Travel Pillow - finally decided to get one when I saw my acupuncturist with hers at Summer Festival. Certainly nice to have on the plane. For me it's a very optional item, only if there's room.
Headlamp - useful for safe, hands-free walking at night and for reading in bed.
Compass - a quirky item, I admit, but there have been so many times I've wished I had one. I don't have a good sense of direction. I'll have a good map but not know what direction I'm facing.
Map - because I like them, especially paper ones. If you've gotten used to relying on your smartphone, you'll want to think through how that's going to work in Portugal.
Speaking of maps, I've found some interesting or useful ones online.
For example, there's a post Good Cascais Map Showing Attractions, Hotels, Grocery Stores
Other Travel Info - for example, because I'm a vegetarian and a lot of countries have largely meat-based diets (ever been to Scotland?), I research vegetarian restaurants for the cities I'm going at websites like Lucky Cow and Lonely Planet, then and pack a printout. For more info, see the Vegetarian Restaurants & Portuguese Desserts post.
IMPORTANT
Electrical converters! You already know about them if you followed the link to Rick Steves' packing list in an earlier post called Packing Thoughts & Lists, where he has a link to a nice explanation at Electric Europe: Adapters and Converters. Wise and experienced traveler LindaL helpfully reminded me to emphasize this: "For those who are bringing cell phones and other electronic gadgets, they will need to figure out a proper electrical plug adapter and maybe a converter. Our standard US plugs won't fit. I wouldn't count on the hotel, because everyone might be requesting to recharge cellphones. At a minimum you need to have a compatible electrical plug adapter."
Think through your everything you're bringing that uses electricity. Are you bringing an iPad? an eBook reader? (By the way, I got Kindle as a gift and find it great for travel. Did you see that Tharpa has ebooks for The New Heart of Wisdom and The New Guide to Dakini Land, as well as Eight Steps and Modern Buddhism and some sadhanas? It's nice that most of the books are also available as audio MP3s, for listening to on the plane with an iPod, for example. The Kindle only comes with a USB recharger, and I'm not planning to bring anything with a USB port, so I went looking for a wall charger. Amazon had various ones for around $20, but for $5 more, you can get a wall charger that comes with 6 adapters for international travel, as well as a long cable.)
It might not just be recharging your cell phone. (By the way, is your phone even going to work over there? Click the Phone label in the right column of this website to get more info; warning: potentially complicated!).
Linda and I both thought this page had some useful details: Electrical Plug/Outlet and Voltage Information for Portugal. See also the post Electricity in Portugal
Safety travel pouch - for keeping your passport, a credit card, and other essential items close to your body, away from thieves. They come in different forms, such as money-belts and over-the-neck pouches. You can see some of the styles at the Rick Steves Travel Store, all of which are reduced in price through the end of the day. For more information, see the excellent Rick Steves' article Travel with a Money Belt: Your Portable Safe.
FOOD/DRINK
Travel Food - I like healthy energy bars (especially Lara Bars, which taste good and have a short, simple list of ingredients) and nuts or trail mix. Trader Joe's seems to have the best prices on both. For the first leg of the trip, you can bring food like carrot sticks, peanut butter sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs (stored in a egg container, such as the cardboard container they're sold in the store pared down to fit the number of eggs you're bringing), along with salt & pepper packets. The bars and nuts are good for later in the trip. I like knowing that if there are delays and I'm stuck somewhere, I won't go hungry and won't have to overpay.
Go Greens - a health-conscious Sangha friend uses these all the time. A powder made of organic fruit and vegetables that comes in small, light packets that are easy to add to a bottle of water and are reasonably priced. I got mine at Vitacost, and I know they sell various kinds on Amazon, but saw online that they also sell them at Costco. Note that there are other products named "GreensToGo" that are much more expensive, which seem to be sold by possibly dubious alternative healers.
Emergen-C - the supplement mix that has vitamins C and B, electrolytes,
nutrients, and antioxidants, for preventing colds and infections. It comes in travel-friendly light packets, but check the ingredients for the somewhat healthier flavors with less sugar. The Lite version, which the Vitacost website which helpfully lists the ingredients of the supplements they sell, says it has 1g of sugar (vs 6g in some of the other flavors), but I'm the not sure if that's sweetened with one of those more dubious chemicals such as Aspartame. It's cheaper at SuperSupplements and Trader Joe's.
Teabags - I love tea and always carry around a few of my favorites in my bag. When I travel I bring various flavors, including some chamomile in case I need a mild sleep aid. Traveling tends to constipate some people; I recommend a senna-based tea such as Smooth Move, a mild but effective laxative. Some places don't offer green tea, and some have really bad black tea.
Coffee drinkers may want to get some of those instant Starbucks Via packets, which I've heard are pretty good for instant and sometimes appear at Costco.
Water Bottle - I don't like water in plastic bottles, because they're not environmentally friendly, the water is not good quality (although it presents itself as healthier than drinking from a tap) and I have reason to believe the plastic leaches possibly toxic substances, particularly if the bottles have been in the sun. They are convenient, however, and I do buy them occasionally, particularly for Go Greens or Emergen-C so that I don't have to clean out my bottle.
Travel Mug - optional if there's room, but I've found I'm happy to have it. I often put my teabags inside, to save room and keep things organized.
By the way, if you want to save money on meals, even if you don't have access to a kitchen, there are some tips on things to pack that will allow you to prepare simple meals at Self-cater Meals in a Hotel Room: What to Pack
OTHER
NoJetLag - see the post Jet Lag Remedies for more information.
Thumb drive - for a few essential computer files. I'm going to try to learn how to encrypt the info. Apparently Windows comes with an encryption program, and I know there are others on the Web. Do I need to warn you about installing software from the web on your computer? Find a trusted site, possibly CNet?
Travel Pillow - finally decided to get one when I saw my acupuncturist with hers at Summer Festival. Certainly nice to have on the plane. For me it's a very optional item, only if there's room.
Headlamp - useful for safe, hands-free walking at night and for reading in bed.
Compass - a quirky item, I admit, but there have been so many times I've wished I had one. I don't have a good sense of direction. I'll have a good map but not know what direction I'm facing.
Map - because I like them, especially paper ones. If you've gotten used to relying on your smartphone, you'll want to think through how that's going to work in Portugal.
Speaking of maps, I've found some interesting or useful ones online.
For example, there's a post Good Cascais Map Showing Attractions, Hotels, Grocery Stores
Other Travel Info - for example, because I'm a vegetarian and a lot of countries have largely meat-based diets (ever been to Scotland?), I research vegetarian restaurants for the cities I'm going at websites like Lucky Cow and Lonely Planet, then and pack a printout. For more info, see the Vegetarian Restaurants & Portuguese Desserts post.
Good Cascais Map Showing Attractions, Hotels, Grocery Stores
Thanks to a Sangha member for suggesting this tip.
You can see where grocery stores - as well as attractions, hotels, etc. - are on MapQuest, which seems to work much better for this than Google Maps.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get a direct link to work, but if you go to MapQuest, enter "Cascais, Portugal" in the Search box at top left, then click the Get Map button, you'll get a map of the Festival town. Click the grocery shopping cart icon above the map, then click Grocery Stores. You can then zoom in.
There are 2 grocery stores near train station, with the big Jumbo just inland from train station. You can even look online to see what Jumbo stocks.
The big shopping center, Mercearia Central De Cascais, which has the Pingo Doce Supermarket, is also nearby.
You can see where grocery stores - as well as attractions, hotels, etc. - are on MapQuest, which seems to work much better for this than Google Maps.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get a direct link to work, but if you go to MapQuest, enter "Cascais, Portugal" in the Search box at top left, then click the Get Map button, you'll get a map of the Festival town. Click the grocery shopping cart icon above the map, then click Grocery Stores. You can then zoom in.
There are 2 grocery stores near train station, with the big Jumbo just inland from train station. You can even look online to see what Jumbo stocks.
The big shopping center, Mercearia Central De Cascais, which has the Pingo Doce Supermarket, is also nearby.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Lisbon Hotels
If you are sightseeing in Lisbon before or after Festival, or you want a hotel near the airport because you have an early flight out, when the Festival shuttles aren't running, here are some places Sangha have booked:
Central Lisbon
Airport
If you have an early-morning flight, another option is to book an airport shuttle from your accommodations in Cascais; for more information, see the post Transportation from Lisbon to Cascais.
By the way, there is more transportation info here.
For example, if you are staying in Lisbon but traveling to or from the airport at a reasonable hour, take the Aerobus.
Note for those who are getting these posts via email: I am hoping that others who book Lisbon hotels will send me info about where they're staying, so that I can add them to this site. Which means you will have to check here for updates. (Unlike a regular website, with a blog I'd normally make a new post for new info and give it the same label, but that seems unwieldy for this scenario.)
If you don't have my personal email, you can reach me at meredw AT Hotmail.
Central Lisbon
- Grande Pensao Residencial Alcobia
- Independente, which is both a hostel and a hotel
Airport
- Holiday Inn Express - doesn't have a shuttle, but is 1 mile so taxi affordable. Note that taxi scams are common, especially for the airport, and that one of the ways to prevent being overcharged is to know the direct route, so here's a map showing the trip from this hotel to the airport. For more about taxi scams, see the post Transportation from Lisbon to Cascais.
If you have an early-morning flight, another option is to book an airport shuttle from your accommodations in Cascais; for more information, see the post Transportation from Lisbon to Cascais.
By the way, there is more transportation info here.
For example, if you are staying in Lisbon but traveling to or from the airport at a reasonable hour, take the Aerobus.
Note for those who are getting these posts via email: I am hoping that others who book Lisbon hotels will send me info about where they're staying, so that I can add them to this site. Which means you will have to check here for updates. (Unlike a regular website, with a blog I'd normally make a new post for new info and give it the same label, but that seems unwieldy for this scenario.)
If you don't have my personal email, you can reach me at meredw AT Hotmail.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Know Anyone Needing a Room at Festival?
I know of a couple of openings. Contact me.
If you don't have my personal email, you can reach me at meredw AT Hotmail.
Likewise if you have a room and are looking for a roommate. I will try to facilitate the connection.
If you don't have my personal email, you can reach me at meredw AT Hotmail.
Likewise if you have a room and are looking for a roommate. I will try to facilitate the connection.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Transportation from Lisbon to Cascais
Note: Except for what I added here at the bottom about the bus and taxi from the airport to Cascais, if you signed up for the KMC Washington Portugal Festival enews group, you've already gotten this info in email.
A very kind Sangha told me about an affordable shuttle she found, which can pick you up at your door and take you at any hour to Lisbon Airport. You don't even need to prepay, although you can.
A very kind Sangha told me about an affordable shuttle she found, which can pick you up at your door and take you at any hour to Lisbon Airport. You don't even need to prepay, although you can.
According to her, it "is 56 euros for 1-4 people. You can prepay in USD using PayPal or give cash to the driver. It's 72 euros for 5-9 people."
This option probably works better for everyone who has an early flight or accommodations that aren't booked through the Festival. (Another option would be to book a hotel in Lisbon the night before your flight, especially if they have an airport shuttle that runs in the early hours, although you could take a taxi. Warning: I've read of many taxi scams from Lisbon Airport, so you have to be careful. See, for example, How to Catch a Cab from the Airport without Being Ripped Off. The Lisbon Metro (subway) doesn't run between 1am and 6:30am, according to their website,
The bus is more complicated. On the official website of the main bus company in Lisbon, STCP, it says they have "services that run all night." You'd want to investigate further before planning on the bus.)
If you're arriving early in Lisbon, before the scheduled Festival shuttles are running, and they don't add a shuttle time that works for you (which you can request from your booking cart), it sounds like the train from Lisbon to Cascais is the best option: affordable and scenic. When you go to that train link, you'll see in the diagram of the route, at the right it says Cais do Sodré, which is Lisbon. According to Wikipedia, "Cais do Sodré is the railway station in Lisbon, Portugal, serving westbound suburban route to Cascais resort. It is adjacent to the Lisbon Metro station of the same name which is the terminus for subway's Green Line (Linha da Caravela). ... The complex is situated at Duque da Terceira square in central Lisbon on the bank of the Tagus [river]." For the Green Line, see this useful Lisbon Metro map.
Some travelers online have said that taking a taxi from Lisbon to Cascais is reasonably priced. Again, you'd want to be careful about being overcharged.
There's also a bus between Lisbon and Cascais. I started looking into the bus, but it's complicated! Lots of bus routes, websites only in Portuguese, various companies that go to different places ...
There's also a local bus in Cascais, run by Scotturb, that goes to places like Sintra, and it's not simple either. No wonder there isn't more info yet on the Festival Transportation page!
Visiting Lisbon? Aerobus between Airport and City Center
If you're planning to visit Lisbon before or after Festival, I've read in various places that the Aerobus is the best option for transportation between the city and the airport. As it says on their user-friendly website:
The local Carris bus company runs a bus transport service connecting Lisbon's airport to the city centre passing by the main transport hubs such as Comercio Square and Cais de Sodré.
This service is called AeroBus and passes by dozens of Lisbon hotels, thus providing tourists arriving at the airport with easy access to their accommodation.
An alternative to the bus is the metro.
TIMETABLE
07:00h to 23:00h (departures from Airport)
07:45h to 22:30h (departures from Cais do Sodré [the Lisbon train station])
FREQUENCY
Every 20 minutes (every 30 mins after 9pm)
PRICE: €3.50
The local Carris bus company runs a bus transport service connecting Lisbon's airport to the city centre passing by the main transport hubs such as Comercio Square and Cais de Sodré.
This service is called AeroBus and passes by dozens of Lisbon hotels, thus providing tourists arriving at the airport with easy access to their accommodation.
An alternative to the bus is the metro.
TIMETABLE
07:00h to 23:00h (departures from Airport)
07:45h to 22:30h (departures from Cais do Sodré [the Lisbon train station])
FREQUENCY
Every 20 minutes (every 30 mins after 9pm)
PRICE: €3.50
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Save Money: Easy ATM Card without Fees
Most of us are on budgets, so I wanted to recommend getting a Charles Schwab ATM card that doesn't charge fees, even abroad, which is rare. Even credit unions charge flat fees and/or percentages, as does the bank hosting the ATM where you're withdrawing money.
In my experience, the best way to get foreign currency is at ATMs in the country you're visiting, so you can save a lot of money if you're not paying extra fees.
The only place I know of that offers this is Charles Schwab. I just signed up for an account, and the process was easy. In fact, I was very impressed with their support. (I had a more complex situation, so I used their chat, and they had someone phone me a few minutes later, on Sat afternoon!) For most people, you can easily fill out an application online.
The minimum deposit is $1, and there don't seem to be other fees associated with the account.
They told me I would get my ATM card in 1-1/2 or 2 weeks, so there's still time to do this.
If you just want a checking account, you can read about it and sign up at http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/checking_account
If you want a linked brokerage account as well, which has $0 minimum balance, or might want it in the future, go to
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/accounts
(Schwab told me that it's impossible to add the brokerage account to an existing checking account later.)
If there's a Schwab office in your area and you prefer doing it in person, you can go to their office and someone will walk you through the application process; take your checkbook with you.
Note: I have no stake in whether you go to Schwab or not, and of course you should review the details carefully because finance is not my area and you need to see if it will work for your particular situation.
In my experience, the best way to get foreign currency is at ATMs in the country you're visiting, so you can save a lot of money if you're not paying extra fees.
The only place I know of that offers this is Charles Schwab. I just signed up for an account, and the process was easy. In fact, I was very impressed with their support. (I had a more complex situation, so I used their chat, and they had someone phone me a few minutes later, on Sat afternoon!) For most people, you can easily fill out an application online.
The minimum deposit is $1, and there don't seem to be other fees associated with the account.
They told me I would get my ATM card in 1-1/2 or 2 weeks, so there's still time to do this.
If you just want a checking account, you can read about it and sign up at http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/checking_account
If you want a linked brokerage account as well, which has $0 minimum balance, or might want it in the future, go to
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/accounts
(Schwab told me that it's impossible to add the brokerage account to an existing checking account later.)
If there's a Schwab office in your area and you prefer doing it in person, you can go to their office and someone will walk you through the application process; take your checkbook with you.
Note: I have no stake in whether you go to Schwab or not, and of course you should review the details carefully because finance is not my area and you need to see if it will work for your particular situation.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Jetlag Remedies
NoJetLag
There's a natural remedy called NoJetLag that was recommended by Mel, who used to do a lot of long-distance international travel (Seattle to Australia, for ex), and I've found it really works.
There's a natural remedy called NoJetLag that was recommended by Mel, who used to do a lot of long-distance international travel (Seattle to Australia, for ex), and I've found it really works.
For example, it used to be that when I went to Summer Festival in England, I would be falling asleep at the introductory teaching Friday night, constantly jerking my head up to try to stay awake. With
NoJetLag I had no trouble with sleepiness and felt good overall, not "laggy."
You can check out the ingredients - they seem healthy and natural. Scroll down on their Ingredients page to see nice drawings and descriptions of what it contains (arnica, chamomile, etc.):
For some reason, I've never found it in a drugstore, but they sell it at AAA and REI.
You can see here where they sell it in your area: http://www.nojetlag.com/
It's about $12 for a pack that should cover a few trips.
Salt & Soda Bath
Another Sangha friend recommended taking a bath in salt and baking soda to detox from the airplane crud as an aid to getting over jet lag when you arrive at your destination. Some websites say you should use a cupful of Epsom salts and baking soda in a tub of warm water.
Other Tips
Other basic advice is to drink lots of water; don't drink coffee or alcohol. Some people recommend melatonin or a sleeping pill but others disrecommend them.
For more information about jet lag, see this National Sleep Foundation page.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Summary of Money Advice
Start by reading Rick Steves' advice, Cash and Currency Tips, then click to read his pages with more information about cash vs. plastic, ATMs and credit-card fees.
I was told there's still time, although it's getting tight, if you want to get an ATM card and/or a credit card that doesn't charge transaction fees abroad.
For more tips, click the Money link in the LABELS list in the right column of this blog page.
I was told there's still time, although it's getting tight, if you want to get an ATM card and/or a credit card that doesn't charge transaction fees abroad.
For more tips, click the Money link in the LABELS list in the right column of this blog page.
Packing Thoughts & Lists
I'm a bit of a Girl Scout (motto: Be Prepared!), but I've found that when it comes to travel, it's been helpful over the years to start thinking ahead about what to bring, and the Festival is only a month away.
On the other hand, when a bunch of us were headed off for Summer Festival, my first Dharma Teacher laughingly said that we think a lot more about what we bring on a trip in this world than we do about what we're taking with us to our next life. I've always loved the teaching about being travelers in this life, just passing through - no need to get so wound up about everything.
I also find the baggage metaphor helpful. When you have a big ego, it's like carrying around a bunch of bulky shopping bags, struggling to carry and keep track of them, and always bumping into things and people. In fact, I used to have a recurring dream about traveling where somewhere along the way, overwhelmed and exhausted, I had to stop and deal with all the luggage I'd accumulated. At first I'd spend some time working on how to bungee it all together. Then I'd find myself thinking, "How did I end up with so much stuff?" and realize I needed to pare it down, letting go of the things that were bogging me down and even unnecessary. Hmm ... I wonder what those dreams mean? : )
There's certainly a middle way, and people have different approaches that work for them.
I use a list. I have a standard packing list as a Word document that I use as a starting point and modify for each big trip. Knowing I have a good list, I feel confident about packing at the last minute if I need to. One part of the list is what to pack, with a section of what to wear and carry on, and another on what to put in my main bag, knowing that it might be checked or deciding ahead of time that I will check it. (By the way, even though almost all airlines charge for checking a bag for domestic travel - unless you're a frequent flier or have the airline's credit card, which may allow you to check the first bag free, as United does - on international flights usually you can usually check one bag without paying. Do check with your airline.)
Within that list of carryon's is a subset of essentials, such as passport, money (cash, credit card, ATM card) and tickets - and *medication.* As long as I have those, I know I can buy whatever else I need when I get there. (My husband and I have a ritual when we're leaving the house on a trip where we ask each other: Money? Tickets? Passport?)
I also have a folder that I carry on that has all my travel info: Flight, hotel, car rental, etc. Now a lot of that can be stored on a device like a smartphone or a iPad if you're savvy that way. If you're traveling abroad, however, make sure you'll have access to them.
There's also a subsection for Dharma items. Don't forget your mandala kit! Of course, I bring my mala so that I can recite mantras, especially on takeoff and landing. You'll be able to buy Dharma items at the Festival shop, but if you already own the books, sadhanas and office supplies (notebook, pens, pencils, etc.) you need, you can pack them. In the past the Festival registration email would include suggested sadhanas. At Portugal the empowerment is Prajnaparamita, so I'm bringing The Yoga of Great Mother Prajnaparamita (not The Great Mother, which is for those who don't have the empowerment). I always bring Wishfulfilling Jewel and Geshe-la's Long Life Prayers, so that I can loan them to someone sitting nearby who doesn't know them and didn't get a loaner copy when they entered the Temple. I heard we're also getting commentary on the new Vajrayogini sadhanas, The Blissful Path and The Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability.
The other page of my packing list is preparations beforehand, such as stopping the mail, arranging care for pets and plants and buying anything I think I'll need. I've also heard that it's good to call your bank beforehand to tell them you're going abroad so that they allow credit-card transactions to go through. The State Dept has some good advice about what to do before you leave, although I don't agree with all of it (I bring cash but not travelers' checks, for example).
Travel "guru" Rick Steves (who has popular travel shows on PBS and happens to live in the Seattle area and even has a travel store just north of the city) has excellent travel advice on his website, including packing tips here. It's a good starting point, but his suggestions are for travelers who are making multi-city visits, so a lot of the emphasis is on packing light. For the Portugal Festival, if you're not traveling before or after, I'd recommend bringing more stuff so that you're comfortable, but not overdoing it. I've never regretted having a lighter bag. There are going to be Festival shuttles to take us from the airport to Festival accommodations and back, so you shouldn't have to carry your baggage too far.
By the way, I've found that Rick Steves' travelgear is well designed and affordable. (I'm considering getting his Civita daypack, which is only $25 and looks like it's a good size but packs small. It isn't waterproof, however.)
On the other hand, when a bunch of us were headed off for Summer Festival, my first Dharma Teacher laughingly said that we think a lot more about what we bring on a trip in this world than we do about what we're taking with us to our next life. I've always loved the teaching about being travelers in this life, just passing through - no need to get so wound up about everything.
I also find the baggage metaphor helpful. When you have a big ego, it's like carrying around a bunch of bulky shopping bags, struggling to carry and keep track of them, and always bumping into things and people. In fact, I used to have a recurring dream about traveling where somewhere along the way, overwhelmed and exhausted, I had to stop and deal with all the luggage I'd accumulated. At first I'd spend some time working on how to bungee it all together. Then I'd find myself thinking, "How did I end up with so much stuff?" and realize I needed to pare it down, letting go of the things that were bogging me down and even unnecessary. Hmm ... I wonder what those dreams mean? : )
There's certainly a middle way, and people have different approaches that work for them.
I use a list. I have a standard packing list as a Word document that I use as a starting point and modify for each big trip. Knowing I have a good list, I feel confident about packing at the last minute if I need to. One part of the list is what to pack, with a section of what to wear and carry on, and another on what to put in my main bag, knowing that it might be checked or deciding ahead of time that I will check it. (By the way, even though almost all airlines charge for checking a bag for domestic travel - unless you're a frequent flier or have the airline's credit card, which may allow you to check the first bag free, as United does - on international flights usually you can usually check one bag without paying. Do check with your airline.)
Within that list of carryon's is a subset of essentials, such as passport, money (cash, credit card, ATM card) and tickets - and *medication.* As long as I have those, I know I can buy whatever else I need when I get there. (My husband and I have a ritual when we're leaving the house on a trip where we ask each other: Money? Tickets? Passport?)
I also have a folder that I carry on that has all my travel info: Flight, hotel, car rental, etc. Now a lot of that can be stored on a device like a smartphone or a iPad if you're savvy that way. If you're traveling abroad, however, make sure you'll have access to them.
There's also a subsection for Dharma items. Don't forget your mandala kit! Of course, I bring my mala so that I can recite mantras, especially on takeoff and landing. You'll be able to buy Dharma items at the Festival shop, but if you already own the books, sadhanas and office supplies (notebook, pens, pencils, etc.) you need, you can pack them. In the past the Festival registration email would include suggested sadhanas. At Portugal the empowerment is Prajnaparamita, so I'm bringing The Yoga of Great Mother Prajnaparamita (not The Great Mother, which is for those who don't have the empowerment). I always bring Wishfulfilling Jewel and Geshe-la's Long Life Prayers, so that I can loan them to someone sitting nearby who doesn't know them and didn't get a loaner copy when they entered the Temple. I heard we're also getting commentary on the new Vajrayogini sadhanas, The Blissful Path and The Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability.
The other page of my packing list is preparations beforehand, such as stopping the mail, arranging care for pets and plants and buying anything I think I'll need. I've also heard that it's good to call your bank beforehand to tell them you're going abroad so that they allow credit-card transactions to go through. The State Dept has some good advice about what to do before you leave, although I don't agree with all of it (I bring cash but not travelers' checks, for example).
Travel "guru" Rick Steves (who has popular travel shows on PBS and happens to live in the Seattle area and even has a travel store just north of the city) has excellent travel advice on his website, including packing tips here. It's a good starting point, but his suggestions are for travelers who are making multi-city visits, so a lot of the emphasis is on packing light. For the Portugal Festival, if you're not traveling before or after, I'd recommend bringing more stuff so that you're comfortable, but not overdoing it. I've never regretted having a lighter bag. There are going to be Festival shuttles to take us from the airport to Festival accommodations and back, so you shouldn't have to carry your baggage too far.
Note that it's still possible to sign up for the shuttles by adding them to your booking cart; see the "Fall Festival confirmation letter" you should have gotten after you registered and click on the link called "your booking cart" toward the bottom; in the booking cart at the left, click Add an option. This is also the process for adding lunch or for pre-paying for recordings of Festival teachings, two new options that haven't been offered for Festivals before.
You may have seen the NKT e-newsletter about the lunch option, which said: "Each day during the Festival, teams of Festival volunteers will provide a wide selection of healthy, affordable vegetarian lunch options. These will be served at the Festival site in a food court style dining area. As there will be a limited number of meals available each day, you will need to pre-book through the Festival booking system if you wish to benefit from this new option.")
By the way, I've found that Rick Steves' travelgear is well designed and affordable. (I'm considering getting his Civita daypack, which is only $25 and looks like it's a good size but packs small. It isn't waterproof, however.)
Weather in Cascais in October
According to Accuweather's historic average for Cascais, the low is 12 Celsius (54 F) and the high is 18 (64 F).
Of course, it's best to check the predicted forecast shortly before departure, because we all know it's highly variable these days.
For example, here's the 10-day Forecast on the Weather Channel, or you can use whatever weather site you prefer.
According to first-hand reports, as well as a site called Holiday Weather (which I've never seen before), Lisbon averages 11 days of rain in October and November.
Probably it's from living in Seattle, but I always pack a rainjacket (helpful for wind too) and sometimes a small umbrella.
On the other hand, it may be warm and sunny, so I'm also going to pack a sunhat and even sunscreen (because my skin is sensitive to the sun).
Of course, it's best to check the predicted forecast shortly before departure, because we all know it's highly variable these days.
For example, here's the 10-day Forecast on the Weather Channel, or you can use whatever weather site you prefer.
According to first-hand reports, as well as a site called Holiday Weather (which I've never seen before), Lisbon averages 11 days of rain in October and November.
Probably it's from living in Seattle, but I always pack a rainjacket (helpful for wind too) and sometimes a small umbrella.
On the other hand, it may be warm and sunny, so I'm also going to pack a sunhat and even sunscreen (because my skin is sensitive to the sun).
Car Rental
From a travel-savvy Sangha member:
If you're planning to rent a car, which isn't necessary unless you're going to be traveling before or after Festival, and trains and buses won't work for you (and in Europe, of course, public transportation tends to be very good, unless you're going to more remote places), book it with American Express card if you have one because it offers lots of advantages, particularly on insurance.
I've also read on the Internet that a lot of travelers say not to rent from Hertz abroad.
If you're planning to rent a car, which isn't necessary unless you're going to be traveling before or after Festival, and trains and buses won't work for you (and in Europe, of course, public transportation tends to be very good, unless you're going to more remote places), book it with American Express card if you have one because it offers lots of advantages, particularly on insurance.
I've also read on the Internet that a lot of travelers say not to rent from Hertz abroad.
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