I really love my new neighborhood.

I have a great fresh market about two blocks away with fresh vegies and fruits as well as fish and meats. I also have about four grocery stores that are all less than a 5 minute walk. However, I still had to go to the “American style” grocery store (about 20 minutes away) this morning to get vanilla extract and baking soda. (Making apricot scones J)

I love the movie theatre that is also very near my apartment. The Cinema City Classic Alvalade (yes, it has an English name, but it is definitely Portuguese) is a great theatre.  Not only is it a movie theatre, it also hosts stand up comedy night, poetry night, live music night, etc. I also love that you can go and sit down and either have a bite to eat, like a Panini, or a pastry and an espresso before the movie. I noticed they did have troughs of popcorn and gallon size coke cups that were ridiculously priced as they are in the States, but I didn’t see anyone ordering them.

I thoroughly enjoyed my latte before going to see “The Artist” – a great movie, by the way. It was a great way to end the work week. It was the first week I felt like I was really at ICS and really working. I gave my first presentation Friday afternoon and I felt it went well.

This afternoon I am enjoying a nice white wine from the Alentejo region on my terrace as I wait for the dishwasher repair guy (again!). 

Tomorrow – the National Museum of Ancient Art.