DISQUIET: DZANC BOOKS INTERNATIONAL LITERARY PROGRAM - MY TRIP TO LISBON!

June 19th - July 2nd was spent in Lisbon, Portugal. Andrea and I took part in a literary program put on my Dzanc Books, where we work-shopped with the incredible Brian Evenson and rubbed elbows with lots of other established writers, like Frank Gaspar and Colson Whitehead.

The trip was jam packed with events, readings, excursions, and for the most part a lot of really really really late nights dancing, boozing and trying not to fall on the cobblestones. Aside from the motivation and encouragement the trip provided for myself as a writer, it was also just a really great break from life.

My husband and our friend Ryan came along (but didn't take part in the course) and took a few days on their own to see outside of Lisbon. Dave came back with lots of great photos and stories, and Ryan, well, he brought back an incredible sunburn. We're all still trying to recover from that one.

Here are some choice images from the trip:

Dave and I shared a twin room consisting of two single beds pushed together, a chair, two night tables and three hooks. Lived out of the suitcase for two weeks. This was the first day, and Dave was already mapping out his next steps. Grassi still had dark hair at this point.

Lisbon is full of amazing tiles. Many buildings are missing whole sections because the tiles are often stolen and sold at the Thieves Market.

We hiked all the way up to this beautiful look out point. I want orange shingles on my next house.

Their idea of graffiti.

This is Tanya, she was an administrator. She wore her hair up a lot and I didn't realize she has these awesome raccoon tails until half way through the trip.

Sintra, so beautiful.

This is Liz Love (that's her real name). She has her feet up, always.

Sintra

We wanted to go all the way up and into the castles but we were only in Sintra for a couple hours. The tour they provided was a bust so we paid for a horse and carriage ride to take us around. View from the back of the horses.

Andrea and Aerin on the horse and carriage ride.

The horsies!

Alfama, the oldest district in Portugal. Every inch of it is insanely gorgeous.

Lots of the Alfama streets have these decorations, I never got to the bottom of it.

Alfama at night.

Fado is a popular music genre in Portugal, characterized by really emotional, almost mournful lyrics and music. Pictured here is a Fado bar we went to in Alfama, where different singers get up and sing, accompanied by a guitarist. Very beautiful, soulful music. Check out Amalia Rodrigues, a singer and actress who is responsible for making Fado so popular.

Not sure where we took this...

Bairro Alto is a part of Lisbon dating back to the 16th century. Traditionally it's been the heart of the city's artists and writers. Our hostel was a five minute walk from here and this is how packed it is every single night. People grab a drink and then party in the streets til 8am. 

A very cool looking bar with bok choy light fixtures, gorgeous bartenders and extremely overpriced drinks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up at this bar, Oslo, three times. It played the exact same playlist every time and had the smallest dance floor in the world. It was way too much fun.

Colson Whitehead, Dave and Scott Laughlin, sometime around 4am.

Nights at Oslo ended with plaid shirts that looked like this. Dave, Scott, Parker and Brian.

Another jam packed street.

Dinner on our last night, curb side. Beer, potato chips and some type of hot pocket (not pictured). Me, Aerin, Grassi.

Dave and Fernando Pessoa.

Ryan, Grassi, Me.

The streets in Lisbon are extremely slippery, but really beautiful at night. They always appear wet.

The ass/leg workout we got was incredible. Stairs and hills everywhere.

More graffiti.

A cafe.

Vintage shopping with Katie, Grassi and Aerin.

Me, Parker, Colson, Grassi, Aerin. Celebrating our awesomeness.

Sometime in the early morning.

The Dudes: Frank Gaspar, Jeff Parker, Scott Laughlin, Brian Sousa, Colson Whitehead, Brendan Bowles, David Beaty.

Some guy I met.

Just another awesome street.

We went to a screening of the film, Lovebirds, here we are with John Frey, actor/writer.

Dave; explorer.

A typical meal in Lisbon. Seabass and sardines are my favourite, I ordered them everywhere I went.

Grassi and I before the farewell party. One guy actually thanked me for wearing this dress.

View from the Chiado Hotel rooftop. (Overlooks our hostel).

Aerin, Grassi and I with Brian Evenson. He's such a king.

Thieves Market. Only open Tuesdays and Saturdays. So much amazing stuff.

 Lastly, the writing: I work-shopped two stories which are now in the process of being re-worked/tweaked/edited. Both were well received and it was a real honour to have Evenson be a part of the writing process. For now here are the titles and a small bit from each:


On Account of the Coconut
" From one entire half, the bigger of the two, the shell was completely removed, leaving the meat in one, perfect dome like piece. It was a glorious chunk, so glorious in fact he came running into the washroom with it, pulled back the shower curtain and showed it to me.

I admit, I was happy for him."

 
The Princess and the Pebble
" “If you don’t want to believe me, than that’s your fucking problem. Obviously I can have a healthy sex life on my own so I don’t need to sit here and let you accuse me of being nuts.” Did I call her nuts? I don’t recall even calling her nuts."

Lets hope they end up somewhere amazing.