Jerónimos Monastery

On September 1st, we visited Jerónimos Monastery after perusing through a street market set up in the park out front.  Living in Oerias was a wonderful location.  We had easy access to downtown Lisbon (10ish minute train ride away), short trip to beautiful beaches (20ish minute train ride away), and Belem was in our backyard.  Jerónimos Monastery in Belem was a landmark we admired quite often while living in Lisbon.

We like to try to get one thing from each city as our "souvenir." We do not have the storage room to travel with much, so we try to get something as authentic as we can.  In Paris we purchased a World Geography book published in 1905 from one of the most interesting flea markets I have ever seen, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen.  If you ever visit Paris, you should definitely go to this flea market for your gifts/souvenirs!  In Scotland we purchased a print of a painting (we couldn't afford the actual painting) of The Shore from a local artist whose gallery we visited a couple of times.  We not only loved his creations, but enjoyed watching him work while also learning from him about the area.  So, in Lisbon we felt it only appropriate to buy tiles from a collector who enjoyed telling us about his different pieces.  He had tiles ranging from the 1500's all the way to more present day tiles.  The tiles from the 1500's were beautiful and extremely thick, but of course were way out of our price range.  We went for 4 tiles that date back to the mid-1800's in the classic blue that covers much of the city.  He even showed me pictures of how he showcased some of his favorite tiles in his house.  Overall it was fun looking through the treasures that were displayed on the tables as we walked toward Jerónimos Monastery.  We admired old fishing scales and balances, carved ivory, jewelry, and lots more.  Amelie purchases a pink headband with a flower sewn on it as seen in the pictures below.  She loves this "fancy" headband.

Once at Jerónimos Monastery, the interior was just as gorgeous and intricately detailed as the exterior.  Try as we may, Amelie and Liam just do not have the appreciation for this amazing architecture.  They spent the entire visit running in circles around the cloister. At least they don't need traditional playgrounds to burn off energy and have fun.  If there are open spaces, things to climb on, or new games to make-up they are happy as can be.

Liam checking out the empty fountain in the center of the square cloister.

Amelie loves taking pictures.  She talked Bobby into letting her use his phone so she could snap some shots.
Here she captured me taking Liam's picture.

Starting the race.  "On your mark, get set, ..."

"GOOOOO!!!!!!"

Bobby and I enjoyed sitting while they ran around.  This is another picture that Amelie took.
I think she is a good little photographer.  She takes crooked pictures like her mom. ;)