Gulbenkian

The museum is housed in several modern buildings that are spread across a park-like campus that has water features, an amphitheater, and a restaurant.  After spending time in the commemorative exhibition, we had lunch in the museum's cafeteria, and then explored the main collection, which includes paintings, René Jules Lalique glassware and jewelry, Chinese porcelains, furniture, and most notably, turkish/arabic rugs, tiles, and ceramics.   The turkish/arabic collection is the highlight.  

Exasperation

Today we were in search of fishing boats, which we found, along with a strong smell of glue that was being used to repair a boat.  We also found raging teenage hormones, as a group of summer sailors were preparing for a day on the water.  Moments before I snapped the cover photograph, these two were playful pushing and grabbing each other, but temperaments do change quickly.  By tonight, I am willing to bet all be right again, with the two walking hand in hand.

 

Fish

Upon arrival all we saw was fruits and vegetables.  Nice enough, but not what we were looking for.  And then that unmistakable smell hit--fresh fish just in from the boat.  We entered the balcony of a large hall.

Funchal

The cloud covered disappeared as the plane banked sharply to the right, making a semi-circle as the engines accelerated to support the sharp decline.  Out the right window, I could see three swimmers in the pool below and out the left window there was blue sea.  Within ten seconds, we were on the ground.

Loaded

Evelyn and I will be traveling to the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira off the coast of Africa today on a house hunting expedition.  We have determined that this is the best place in the world to be following the nuclear war that will follow the annexation of Estonia by Vladimir Putin.  Thank you President Trump.  You were right: Only you, alone, could do this.

Comic

We caught the early set at the Comic Strip on 2nd and 81st.  Nine young comics kept the laughs coming for the better part of 90 minutes.  Without doubt, the standout of the night was Marshall Stevenson, a Manhattan native who now lives in the South Bronx.  Unlike others, Stevenson doesn't have to go blue to get laughs, although he had some insightful thoughts about fertility clinics.  Stevenson's delivery is animated and quite poised.  Unlike others, there are no pauses or ahs in the routine.