Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with lisbon

What are the most common criticisms of the Treaty of Lisbon?

goodnewsfortheinsane — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:01:34 -0800

What are the most common points of criticism of the Treaty of Lisbon, and how do they relate to the failed European Constitution? My Google-fu is failing me, and moreover I'm also interested in viewpoints from nations whose languages I can't read: between Irish/British and Dutch/Belgian sources you only get so much of the story.

I understand that a common criticism is that the treaty would enhance the powers of unelected officials. What positions are we talking about, here? And would the treaty really bestow more power upon them? I thought part of the treaty's idea was to improve the role of the European Parliament through codecision with the Council, thus making it more democratic. What gives?

Also: after France and the Netherlands held failed referendums on the Constitution, both decided not to hold a referendum on the treaty. Were there any political reasons for this decision, besides fear of another debacle? I know people got mad, but were there any substantial protest movements, especially in France?

Lastly: have the most common criticisms been allayed somewhat by the revision of the Constitution and its repackaging as the Treaty, or do the same criticisms still stand?

I'm sorry if this is a broad question, please let me know if I can be clearer on any points. Thanks in advance for any insight you may have to offer.

Where to buy good cigars in Lisbon?

tkbarbarian — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:01:30 -0800

Where can one buy good cigars in Lisbon? I'm going to Portugal next week for a few weeks. I'm from the UK and enjoy Cuban cigars (Cohiba, Upmann, Bolivar, Hoyo etc.)

I'll be staying near Lisbon and would like to pick some up for while I'm out there.

Thanks for any pointers!

Get me from Madrid to Lisbon

scribbler — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:23:52 -0800

At the Madrid airport, will I be able to get off an international flight coming from North America and then make it on to another flight - different airline, going to Lisbon - in just under two hours (1 hr 50 min to be exact)? If I can't make that transfer then I'll probably have to end up taking a train or bus from Madrid to Lisbon or Porto.

These are both budget airlines so I'm weary of delays, but I'd really like to get to Lisbon as quickly as possible without having to stay in Madrid for a short time and then take a really long, not very much cheaper or even more expensive bus or train ride. Any help... much appreciated. Thanks!

3 Days in August: Spanish or Portuguese?

foxy_hedgehog — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:04:40 -0800

The last weekend in August: Madrid or Lisbon? I have a three-day stopover in Madrid at the very end of August (8.30-9.2). I've never been to Spain, and I have no doubt there are many wonderful things to do and see and eat in Madrid. However, I've heard some reports that Madrid is unbearably hot in August- and that everything is closed. I thought as an alternative that I'd transfer to a cheap flight to Lisbon from the Madrid airport, and spend my few days there instead.

These are obviously both amazing and very different places. But having no experience in either city or either country, I'd love your take(s) on what might be the best way to spend the time. Particularly vis a vis the August thing.

Gentle-Pac-man burps up a dove

pjenks — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:58:17 -0800

Does this graffiti art image have some well-known meaning? I took the picture on the shoreline in Estoril/Cascais (outside Lisbon, Portugal) and I've seen the image stenciled on a few other structures in town. I like it, but I wonder if it has some sinister associations...

An American in Lisboa

pjenks — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:46:25 -0800

I'm moving from the US to Lisbon in about a week to begin a long-term job. I'm planning to learn Portuguese, but so far I know very little. Any recommendations on good English-language resources (preferably online) for both beginning and living life there? In particular, I'd like advice on apartment searching (classifieds or bulletin boards), setting up necessities (cable, internet, bank accounts, etc), and Portuguese language classes. But any general advice would be terrific, too.

It's a holiday in Lisboa!

These Premises Are Alarmed — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:15:26 -0800

We're leaving for a week's vacation in Portugal on Thursday. What should we do? My wife and I flying in and out of Lisbon, and I've booked a hotel there for the first few nights. We have no real agenda, generally on vacation we like to go to art museums, walk around towns, and sit on the beach.

We're in our 30s, generally vegetarian but plan to eat some fish, no kids, live in New York City. We're happy to get a car if it'll make things easier. Were should we go, what should we do?

Previously.

A golden op-port-unity?

mdonley — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 10:02:56 -0800

Can I survive (or perhaps thrive?) on €950/month in Portugal? I'm an English teacher currently in Indonesia. I spend a relatively small proportion of my salary each month, and my life is rich with fantastic food, art, travel, and culture. Can this be replicated in Portugal, when I look for a job there next year?

I'd probably be teaching in a larger city like Lisboa or Oporto, so how far would €950 a month - the minimum I've seen, for a job in Porto with a free apartment - go? (And what if I had to pay rent?) I imagine that life in the larger cities will be more expensive than the countryside, but how much more expensive? Double? Triple? Where can I look for apartment ads for these two cities?

There are all sorts of questions here, really: what would be great would be a guide to living in different parts of Portugal that not only broke down costs of things (bread, movie tickets) but costs of services (health care, internet service, electricity). Does this exist online? If not, what offline resources can you recommend?

Finally:

a) I can't speak Portuguese, but I can speak French and Spanish, so if you've got Lusophone resources, send them along and I'll try to decipher them.

b) I'm into traditional/organic/local foodways, old buildings, local music scenes, cheap day trips, beaches, and reliable, safe, and clean public transportation. Any recommendations on places to check out on a possible scouting trip this winter would be fantastic.

Obrigado!

Someone activate the migs-signal!

tetsuo — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 08:03:37 -0800

Chance to be assigned to flag duty in Lisbon, Portugal... Command is located in Oeiras, approx. 10 miles west of the city. Advice, opinions, anecdotes, etc. are welcome (relevant to the city, of course).

venturing out from Madrid

kingfisher, his musclebound cat — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 07:41:49 -0800

I am meeting some friends in Madrid on Mar 30th, but have a few days before that and I thinking of flying out early. The friends and I are headed to Ronda, so before that journey, I want to try something else. I am leaning toward Portugal. . . (more) Question is, for this period, the 25th - 30th, how much in advance do I have to plan. Or can I play it by ear, head toward Lisbon and wander. I am stuck in my language, so there's that trouble. And then what to do?
I am a bit tired of the city (Brooklyn) but feel I still need the urban world as a locus of activity.
Tips? Suggestions? Warnings?