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Lisbon Skyline |
Some might say it
is insanity to take off on an overseas flight to Portugal in order to take a
sailing ship to the Caribbean, but that is what we did. The less said about our
flight, business class on an Airbus, the better. But eventually we arrived at
Lisbon Airport. The difference between this airport and ANY we’ve been through
in recent years was astounding. There were no soldiers standing around armed to
the gills. There were no visible police. There was no obvious “security” at
all, just lots of people greeting friends and neighbors.
We were whisked
through immigration so fast I hardly realized we’d been there, and about 10 minutes
after deplaning we were being herded into a taxi. Kudos to the two delightful
young men who made this miracle happen.
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Avendida de Liberdade |
We gave our taxi
driver the name of our hotel, the Bessa, on Lisbon’s main drag, The Avenida de Liberdade. He looked pained. “The Liberdade is closed to all traffic all day
today,” he explained. “Remembrance Day Celebrations.” Of course we should have
known, but sleep deprived and exhausted it just hadn’t registered.
We drove through
the Lisbon hills, to the sound of Fado on the driver’s radio, beautiful guitar
accompanied songs unique to Portugal. The private houses, apartment blocks,
office buildings, government buildings and hotels we passed were in a veritable
rainbow of colours. Pinks and yellows
and blues and greens, no staid greys or classic whites for this town. All climbing up or tumbling down steep hills
toward the centre of town and our destination.
A block from our
hotel we came to the blocked road and a stern looking policeman. Our driver
with much gesticulation toward our white hair and my walker managed to convince
the officer because he literally walked our taxi the block to our hotel
entrance, and then helped our driver escape.
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Bessa Hotel |
We arrived just
as the parade reached our part of the Liberdade. Planes overhead, WW I followed
by jets in formation, marchers on the sidewalks waving flags, martial music.
Altogether the most impressive welcome we’ve ever had anywhere.
And miracle of
miracles, our room was ready within 15 minutes of our arrival. The best
handicap accessible room I’ve ever had anyplace.
There is all of
Lisbon, a truly beautiful city, out there for us to see, but first, some sleep.
.............................................................................................................
Blair's latest thriller, Fatal Charm
A perilous scheme to thwart ruthless adversaries hurtles successful jewelry designer Caitlin Abernathy from her comfortable California studio to the streets of Paris and the beaches of Brittany as she attempts to return a priceless stolen heirloom to the Louvre.
Colin Stryker, the devastatingly handsome history professor from Ireland who has appointed himself her protector, fights to rescue her before her captors add murder to their crimes, while at the same time unraveling the torturous train of events that led to the original theft.
With every moment fraught with danger, can the chemistry already between the two ignite into passion?
Praise for Fatal Charm:
"If you love well-crafted romantic suspense where the mystery is every bit as mysterious as the romance is romantic, check out Blair McDowell's work. I found her through a book tour 5 years ago, and she is one of my happiest discoveries."
- Marlene Harris, ReadingReality.net
"The elegance and beauty of Paris as the central backdrop for the intrigue, adds color and movement to the drama.... I particularly liked the attention to food as a gathering point and motif throughout. I was drawn back to my memories of Paris -- the sights, sounds and aromas. It's these small touches that inject an extra dimension, a 'je ne sais quoi' into the mix."
- Heather B, Eyes2creviews.blogspot.ca
"Fatal Charm is well-written and engaging. The book has a fast pace which makes it easy to read and enjoy. Blair McDowell is an illustrative writer which allows readers to visualize the scenes in their head. This brings the characters and story to life for me. I thought the mystery was complex and intriguing. I enjoyed the many twists and turns."
- Kristina Anderson, Doodlesinkspot.blogspot.ca
Click here to view and purchase Blair's books.
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Blair McDowell