Lisbon Blog

For any of you who have seen the American drama series Big Love, you will know a little about how complicated life can get when there are multiple spouses. Polygamy isn’t only about one guy having more than one wife. There is polyandry, when a woman takes more than one husband, and group marriages, in which multiple men and women are all married to each other.

Confused yet? So were we. So we set out on a quest to unravel some of the confusion around polygamy.
Polygamy has been around for as long as we can track. Every major religion (even some sects of Christianity) has practised polygamy since recorded time began. In most cultures that still do it, it is considered a status symbol–because the thinking is a man can only marry more than one woman if he is rich enough to support them all.

This support for polygamy even carries over into monogamous cultures. In outlying regions of Russia, where men are in short supply and times are hard, polygamy is being called for. It has been called the ideal way to create families in which money is shared and children are ‘legitimated.’

It’s not all fun and games though. Despite the fact that polygamous societies are more numerous than monogamous ones, multiple wives – and their children – are often completely dependent on their husbands and have few life skills with which to run their own lives if they need to.

So what about polyandry, when a woman takes more than one husband? Of the hundreds of cultures that have practised polygamy, only four have practised polyandry. This has largely been fraternal polyandry (when a woman marries two brothers, usually one after another) and seems to be little to do with love or religion, and more about holding on to family inheritance. The only exception to this is in the refreshing case of the Pacific Islands, when a woman of high caste was permitted to basically pick and choose as many husbands as she was able to support.

Woe betide any of the boys who displeased her – she was also able to cast them aside, and even though she was obligated to ensure he was taken care of for the rest of his life, the deep social stigma of not being able to keep his wife happy meant bad news for the ex-husband.

Polygamous relationships most often break down over economics and jealousy (often closely related to economics). When a new spouse arrives, the senior spouse must share resources that were previously only available to him or her. There have been so many jealousy killings among these kinds of extended families, that some polygamous households write up a roster of which wife the husband will sleep with that night.

Sounds like the perfect problem to have until you think about the fact that when women share the same living space, their menstrual cycles synchronise. That’s a whole lot of hormones going on in one week! Renting apartments in Lisbon doesn’t need to mean you take the whole family – just one or two will be fine!

Burning Man is a festival celebrated during 6 days in the city of Black Rock, Nevada, in the US. More than just a festival, it’s also an experimental path to self –expression and self-reliance. Attending doesn’t just imply getting to a “beach” which is really an incredibly desolate dessert in the middle of nowhere. It also means camping in the most eco-friendly way possible while living in conditions that are very tough while making art, music, friends and have crazy life changing experiences.

Its European counterpart? Perhaps one of the most similar festivals in Boom Festival, a biennial festival in Portugal which began 13 years ago. This year it’s in Idaho-a-Nova, a village near Lisbon, from the 18th until the 26th of August. The festival stands out from others. Like Burning Man, free expression and the formation of a community are main goals. Unlike burning man, Boom takes place beside a beautiful lake, on a gorgeous green expanse of land.
The festival dedicated to free spirits.
Unlike almost all festivals of its size, Boom has no corporate sponsorship, and isn’t marketing platform for any brand. Its goal is to be a place free of visual contamination and publicity pollution, a space apart from the common consumerist culture. In place of this, it seeks to promote arts, music, health, sustainable living and cultural exchange.
When it began, the festival’s principal focus was music, specifically the genre Goa-trance, a type of psychedelic electronic music. Over the years Boom has turned into much more than just a music festival, and has expanded its musical focus to include world music and other genres of electronic music like dub step, break beat and minimal.
Their are galleries of art and sculpture, theatre, fire-dancers, as well as a space apart from the insanity which offers a place to practice yoga, meditate, watch movies and see talks. The idea is to expand the definition of the party, and allow the mysticism inherent in bringing together thousands of creative minds during one summer week beneath the brilliant moonlight.
Hurry up!
There are only 26.000 tickets available to keep the festival ambiance, and as in years past, there are discounts for attendants from developing countries. During this stage of ticket sales, there are only about 8.500 left, and only until the 26th of June. Included in the price are camping, parking, drinking water, and access to showers, kitchens and shared baths. To make your return to the world more comfortable after the big show, why not rent affordable apartments in Lisbon? After a week of communing with the mystic consciousness, it’s good to get back to the real world little by little…

Is your sex life boring? Are you afraid of loosing your partner but tired of looking for things that could help keep things fresh and exciting?Yeah, we all know is not easy and looking for books that could give you ideas on how to improve your sex life is sometimes quite a hassle. So, how about some tips on how to put aside the routine and start to use your creativity in bed?

1. Sex and the rest
Every couple has problems, no relationship is perfect. But most of the time women feel they can’t have sex after a fight or if they have problems with their partner.
You’re right in trying to solve the conflict but don’t let this affect your sex life. Remember! Sometimes sex is the best solution for ending your relationship problems.

2. Surprise, surprise
Try something that you’re sure your partner least expects. If you both feel comfortable with it, how about paying him a visit at his office during lunch hour for a little sex game?

3. Just play!
Say goodbye to old fashioned ideas and don’t be ashamed to introduce sex toys to your life. Sometimes a pair of handcuffs or a dildo can transform your night.

4. New positions
Dare to try even the strangest positions that come to mind. You don’t need books to teach you how to enjoy, imagination will work for you. Think that when monotony leads your life, pleasure is halved.

5. First thing in the morning
Forget about waiting for the sunset in order to have sex. Surprise your partner in the middle of the day after lunch with sex instead of dessert or just wake him up in the morning with some sensual kisses on his neck.

6. Share your thoughts
Admit it! More than once you dreamed about putting in practice with your partner different scenarios: wild sex in the bathroom of you favourite restaurant, sex slave of a teacher, etc.
Don’t be afraid of going too far with your imagination and share your fantasies with your partner.
You might get lucky!

7. Should I make the first move?
Absolutely! Forget about him making always the first step. Feel the desire? Then go for it and you’ll give your partner the opportunity to relax a bit while you take the control.

8. Go on a trip
If you have wild fantasies and you need fresh air, how about going to Lisbon and get inspired by lovely sex shops in Lisbon, rent Apartments in Lisbon and show your partner how good you are at dancing.

Are you familiar with the brands Luxottica or Saffilo? No? But surely, you’ve heard of Ray Ban, Persol or Armani… you can think of thousands of other brands off the top of your head. Sunglasses are a necessary accessory for anyone who wants to look glamorous. Of course you need a new pair every season if you want to look as cool on city streets as you do on the beach.

So you still haven’t figured out what the names Luxottica and Saffilo are? Well, I’ll tell you: they are the most important manufacturers of sunglasses and corrective lenses world wide, designing, producing and marketing fashionable sunglasses for such well known brands as Ray Ban, Arnette, Oakley, Armani, Versace, Tiffany or Dolce e Gabbana (and many more!) who maintain the licence to distribute and sell the final product.

Okay, let’s cut the fluff and get down to talking about what’s really important to us, fashion. What are the trendiest, most glamorous shapes, styles and lenses for summer 2010? Fashionable sunglasses are the indispensable summer accessory that defines your style, though they do change over the years. This year, the latest styles are inspired by the typical shapes of the 70´s and 80´s, and huge glasses are still in, despite the fact that medium and small glasses are gradually creeping back into fashion. Visible branding is still hot, and atypically coloured lenses are the newest trend. But watch out; avoid blue or purple lenses because these colours offer much less UV protection than other colours. They have the shortest wavelength of visible colours (closer to that of UV rays) so the UV radiation that passes through them is more dangerous.

Round or square, oversize or elegant, what we should really be paying attention to is the protection our glasses afford us. Sunglasses should be the right size, shape and material to protect the delicate eye area from UVB and UVA rays assuring us a perfect view and healthy eyes. Lenses can be plastic or glass, each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Plastic lenses tend to be thicker, but they are lighter and more resistant.

So make sure not to forget the most important accessory of summer when packing your bags to go on vacation. If you’re still not sure where to go, why not let yourself be dazzled by the splendid light of the Portuguese capital city, Lisbon. For comfortable and budget friendly accommodations, rent apartments in Lisbon, a place where your super stylish and fashionable sunglasses will definitely come in handy!

You’re listening to Ben Harper, staring into the bottom of your wine glass and checking your phone 16 times an hour.

It’s got to be a break-up. You’re pretty sure that you could change their mind, if only you could figure out what they were saying when they ended it. Here’s the ugly truth. There are almost NEVER good reasons to break up. It’s almost always as vague as “I’m just not really into you any more.” And when the reason IS specific, believe me you don’t want to know. It will only hurt you even more.

If you insist on knowing, here are a few behind-the-scenes peeks at what some of those classic breakup lines really mean.

Line: It’s not you, it’s me.
Translation: It’s you.

Line (Version 2): It’s not you, it’s me.
Translation: It’s not you, it’s that hottie from the gym that I’m going out with on Friday

Line: We’re not connecting on an intellectual level.
Translation: You’re boring, and even the hot sex isn’t hot any more because you’re too stupid to think of more than three moves.

Line: We have nothing in common
Translation: Everything you do makes me want to stick a fork in my eye. Or yours.

Line: We’ve grown apart
Translation: I’ve grown up and you’ve grown potatoes in your butt from sitting on the couch

Line: You’re too good for me
Translation: I’m too good for you

Line (Version 1): You’re too good for me
Translation: You’re so uptight and anal that if you were going out with Jesus you’d nag him to shave

Line: I just need some space right now
Translation: And a restraining order, you clingy freak

Line: I think we should just be friends
Translation: We’ll never be friends, I just want you to go away.

Line: I think we should see other people
Translation: I already am

Line: We need to talk
Translation: We need to stop talking. Forever.

Line: I’m not ready for a commitment
Translation: I’ve already slept with you and I’m bored. I also may have slept with your best friend.

Line: I don’t know what I want
Translation: I would still like to keep you hanging on in case I’m bored on a Saturday or my other booty call doesn’t work out.

Line: —
Translation: I am going to be the disappearing kind of person who stops taking your calls until you figure it out for yourself.

And the all-time, killer breakup line award goes to…..

Line: So, how do you think this is going?
Translation: I want this to seem like a mutual breakup so you don’t hate me and try to kill me in my sleep. PS Can I have my key back now?

The best way to break up is to be completely honest, if you have no idea why it’s really over. If your relationship still has a few embers glowing, why not rent Apartments in Lisbon and take your sweetheart somewhere special for a week or two.

How things have changed! A few years ago, when young people wanted to know something about sex, they discussed it with their friends, putting in common each one’s experiences or expecting –in vain- to know the answers from sexual education classes. Or they secretly rented a porn movie, as if it was the most daring and illegal adventure of their lives. Teenagers probably still do these things, but nowadays the most used query method is not an encyclopaedia or anything like that. Google has become the solution for all these questions.

Google, the sexual problem-solver

Where else could we ask? You know Internet is the future. Young people (and maybe not so young) resort to the net in order to make ‘How to make love?’ the most googled question with almost 70 million results. This question is far above the next most googled ‘How to make love for the first time?’ one, with almost 19 million results.

Other very common questions thrown on Google are: ‘how to make a French kiss?’ or ‘how to kiss for the first time?’ Entering the websites that the web search engine provides, we find professional advice from experts, thousands of comments on blogs and very explanatory and explicit videos. Some of the users’ worries asked on forums are the ‘I’m a virgin and my girlfriend wants to make love. I need help’ or ‘I’m 15 years old and I don’t know how to make a French kiss. Somebody could explain me how?’ I have a better solution: constant practicing. Surely, the first time won’t be anything to shout about, but you will get better by repeating and practising. Anyway, there’s no harm in having extra help from our powerful friend Google. You know what they say: ‘you can never learn too much’.

Here is my proposal: plan a romantic trip with your partner to Lisbon and practise all day and all night long in one of the affordable accommodations you can book: Apartments in Lisbon. Certainly, after this intensive session, the next question you’ll google will be: ‘I’ve already practised the whole Karma sutra. What else can I do’?

When spring comes, Lisbon invites everyone to the race of the year: the Lisbon Half Marathon, of about 21kms. In addition, the city organizes a mini marathon of 7kms for the amateur people. On March 21st, the Portuguese capital will sweat like never…

It may be an original idea to discover the city in a new way: running this Lisbon half marathon! If you’re in Lisbon on this date, go ahead and participate in its popular life touring the city in a race along with some 38,000 people. The Lisbon Half Marathon will start at 10.30 from the April 25th Bridge, which crosses the splendid Tagus River. Last year, Martin Lel of Kenya won the men’s category with a time of 00:59:56, and the American Kara Goucher was the women’s winner with a time of 01:08:30.

There is also a Running Expo that will be opened. These exhibition grounds are specialized in athletics and will feature many stores devoted to professional races. From the 17th to the 21st March more than 60,000 people will visit this exhibition.

And do not worry, because this Marathon is not very difficult. If you do not want to take it so seriously, there is a mini marathon that offers a shorter and non-timed race. The arrival is located at the foot of one of the most important monuments of Lisbon: Jeronimo’s Monastery.

If you do not want to run you can calmly walk through the city and discover its countless magical places… give a surprise to your partner and bring him/her to Portugal. Rent Apartments in Lisbon, an affordable and comfortable accommodation awaits you after your expeditions.

Star Wars fanatics who in line all night in theatres to watch the new adventures of Han Solo, the Clones or Chewbacca! If you are depressed because you can’t glimpse in a near future any brand new episode of the most famous saga in film history…cheer up and, please, hold back your euphoria, we don’t want you to have a heart attack: George Lucas is determined to keep his double trilogy alive in everybody’s mind for long, long time. His latest trick is ‘Star Wars: In Concert’: a magnificent multimedia performance with a 90-piece symphony orchestra— scores of elite musicians synchronizing with mathematical precision and with a wholeheartedly dedication to the perfection of the music before them.

Then there are the images from the Star Wars movies playing on the screen suspended above the musicians, with visuals crafted by massive teams of artists. And all of it — every note, sound and laser blast — originates in the human imagination. The audience also could enjoy other famous works by composer John Williams, like ‘Jaws’, ‘Superman’, ‘E.T.’ or ‘Indiana Jones’.

A motley audience
The show, which is a success wherever it goes, is a true multi-media experience, featuring a giant, specially constructed LED screen, onto which the film sequences are projected.

And, of course, the audience couldn’t be ‘normal’, in this case. Although there are many parents with their newly-bewitched children. Disguised people as Darth Vader, Jedi or Imperial Soldiers and, yeah, with the unavoidable Lightsabre.

It becomes virtually impossible for Star Wars fans not to enjoy this show, which was produced by Another Planet Touring and Lucasfilm.

If you are a true fan, then you’ll do your best to not miss this great show. The appointment will take place in Pabellon Atlantico of Lisbon, 22 and 23 of March. Book Apartments in Lisbon, the best choice for your stay in the beautiful city…….and may the force be with you!

At this point in the XXI century, sex should be a pleasant and free practice – providing that it does not damage the physical or psychological integrity of one of the implied persons. Unfortunately, not everyone can freely enjoy sex… Many countries punish with the death penalty practices such as adultery or what it is even worse, homosexuality.

The media publishes horrific headlines reporting that X number of people have died in government hands and under the protection of the law. And what is their crime? Love? Supposedly, homosexuality is a free sexual practice amongst people of the same-gender; a sexual identity as legitimate as any other, that in no way should be punished, and much less with death. Neither should a person pay with their life for having sex outside of marriage.

Fidelity – or infidelity, is something every couple should tackle alone. Why should the government interfere? The saddest part is that in many countries not only is adultery punishable with the death penalty, but some women are even stoned to death for it. Are we really in the 21st century? Even if the adultery is the result of a violation, the woman will be stoned for it. How awful!

Sexuality is defined as the set of practices, behaviours and anatomical, physiological and emotional conditions related to seeking sexual pleasure and reproduction. The full development of sexuality is essential to the individual, the interpersonal and the social wellbeing. Therefore, it should be lived and enjoyed in a free and healthy way, with no restrictions or punishments.

But how is it possible that in certain regions of the world sexuality has regressed so much? Many past civilizations such as the ancient Greece or the ancient Rome saw homosexuality as a legitimate and common practice. Religion has played a negative role in that matter.

Let’s take a look at today’s world. In what state is the health of our sexuality? We could say that is rather delicate. While it is true that in many countries the free practice of sex is normal, so is that in many others there is still much to do… And although in many countries homosexuality is no longer punishable with death, under no circumstances do gay people have equal rights as straight people. Sex education fails in the modern world: enough repressive ideas, we want no more contradictions. Let’s fight for a free world where egalitarian rights are our goals (always based on respect towards others). Let’s fight for a free and responsible practice of sex and all that it entails.

Portugal is a tolerant and respectful country, where everyone lives their sexual life in a free manner. Enjoy your most passionate sex life in the Portuguese capital. Rent Apartments in Lisbon and let yourself be carried away by pleasure without limits.

When a tourist arrives to an unknown city, it is usual that he is a little bit confused and he is not clear about which are the venues that he has to visit but, sometimes, he goes beyond logic and asks a few funny questions, so to speak.

A study made by a hotel booking website, as well as Tourism Offices of the most important European cities, has revealed a list of the strangest and weirdest questions that tourist have made since 1995.

In Madrid, for example, the agent tourist had to listen to questions like: “At what time is the Cibeles closed?”, when it’s one of the most famous statues in the city, in the open air, and you can go to visit it at anytime. Or foreigners mistake La Puerta del Sol for La Costa del Sol. One of the most surrealist questions is “where is the beach in Madrid”?

But of these kinds of questions are asked in other European cities. Let’s take Rome for example. There, a tourist asked at what time were the races at the Coliseum, or if he could go to visit a gladiators fight. Funny, isn’t it? What about this: “how much does it cost to sleep in the catacombs? People dare to ask anything!

These situations wouldn’t exist if visitors prepared their travel schedule a little more carefully and did a little bit of research. Imagine the staff’s faces when they are asked these silly questions! Surely they have to try very hard not to laugh. But, don’t worry, there are many more. Tourists’ imagination is endless. In Sweden, they even asked this marvellous question: “at what time do the elks walk?”, in Portugal, if Lisboa (Lisbon in Spanish) was near Lisbon (in English) or if traffic signs there were the same as in England.

Netherlands doesn’t escape from these funny and strange consultations either.
One visitor wanted to know “where the historical centre of Rotterdam was”. Actually, it doesn’t exist because the Nazis destroyed it during World War II.

But one of the most bizarre questions was asked in Ireland. The confusion of tourists leads them to ask things like “where can we find a wood with goblins?”, “Are there any cell phones in this country?” or “Is English the only language in Ireland”?

And finally, the icing on the cake. In France, staff at a Tourism office was left scratching their heads when someone posed the following question: “Can the boats on the Seine sail or are they just for decoration?” Another bewildered one, dared to ask where he could find the lady that smiled, referring to La Mona Lisa, and someone else wasn’t clear about Hotel Gay Lussac in Paris and wondered if it were just for homosexual guests.

Alright, all this is very fun, but we hope that if you decide to visit rent apartments in Lisbon, please make sure you get enough information to not appear on the next list of the strangest questions!