A day off in Sintra, Portugal and some details about our MS…

As you read in yesterdays' blog, there is a lot of work that needs to be done on the ship. The engine had to be carefully checked and this means that they even have to take the floor out. People who are in control of their legs and balance can step from metal bar to metal bar to get from one side of the boat to the other. For the MS crew it is safer not to try to do that. So we decided to enjoy a day out.

Off to Sintra we go.  It is a beautiful magical, old city with so many old spectacular buildings that it is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Somehow it is not too bad that we 'have' to get off the ship. Here is a story not only about the beautiful sights but I like to share some, unknown, invisible effects we encounter with our bodies on a day trip.

At 0900 the boat will be taken over by mechanics. So we grab our bags, filled with stuff we need for a day trip, and leave the ship to ‘di Caprio’ and the mechanical crew. I'm too late to brush my teeth so I take my toothpaste and brush with me. (Later on I also find a pair of dirty, smelly socks in my bag. I have no clue why they should be there!) But we decide to get going before things get crowded and hectic here. We leave ‘di Caprio’ behind, sitting in front of his computer, with the long to-do-list. We wish him the best of luck.

We have breakfast in a little restaurant in the harbour. Connected to Wi-Fi we prepare for our day off: what is there to see and how do we get there? We decide to take the bus. There is a direct route or a bus that takes over an hour via a scenic route. We go for that one. Before we can leave we have to make sure that our bladders and bowels are emptied. MS can make you lose control over these functions. It is an unspoken agreement that of course we wait until each of us have been able to have a final toilet stop. With our coffees and plates finished we just wait another half an hour. MS and rushing make a bad combination.

With empty stomachs and freshly brushed teeth we set off on our way. For one of us walking stairs is difficult. Walking long distance, strangely enough, is not a problem. So, we save energy and take the 15 minute longer route out of the harbour instead of the short cut via the stairs.

Heading for our bus there are stairs again. They lead us to a dark underground alley and we are not completely sure this will lead to the bus station. What to do? Send one of us ahead into the creepy surroundings, so we don't all waste our valuable energy on the stairs that might be unnecessary? There’s no lift to be seen. We take the risk and we all gently walk down, holding on to the sidebars. Step by step we enter the underground scene with nice graffiti! There comes light on the end of the tunnel and sounds of people and,.. buses. So the stairs were not for nothing, we are on the right track!

Next challenge: the bus. It is jam packed: there are no seats left and we have to stand in the aisle. Not my cup of tea. But how can I explain, in Portuguese, that I actually need a seat? Especially since I have found, in my home country, people are not always willing to give up their seat for a healthy looking girl, even when I ask for their seat. They will stand up after I have told them my medical issue, but somehow I think my few words of Portuguese will not help me here.

It is so hot and noisy in the bus that my concentration and brain do not seem to function anymore.  I hate it when that happens. So I just stand still, hold on to the bars and concentrate on my breathing. If I can handle a rocking ship, I should be able to keep my balance on a shaking bus. 

Later on, a man with a walking stick enters the bus. Automatically people stand up. Soon after that lots of people get off and we all manage to find a seat.

The bus trip is beautiful. The surrounding slowly changes from busy seaside village to lush forest. With high green trees with long, hanging leaves. The sound of monkeys would have made it seem sub-tropical but their absence shows we are in different surroundings. The temperature drops and the tops of the mountains are hidden in the mist.

We encounter and overcome more challenges. We get onboard a hop-on-hop-off bus and we manage to see all sights we had planned. When we have hopped off the bus it is always the same question: is it a long walk to the sight, is steep or is it hilly? But together we know exactly where the difficulties are so we just take it slowly. Going at our own pace we experience it all!

That brings me to the final MS-thought to share. In Sintra we meet a nice, friendly (and good looking) photographer. His name is Tit and he is a street photographer. He offers to show me around in Lisbon. How nice to see the capital with someone who lives there. So I'm in for that adventure. But how can I arrange that safely? I have to go by train. And what if I am tired on my way back? I might need a hand finding my way because sometimes suddenly my brain or body don't want to cooperate. Then I cannot even explain where I need to go anymore. At those moments I feel vulnerable. However, it never stopped me from jumping at the chance of adventure. You just have to make a plan B. You have to build in safety precautions.

I do not want to live in fear about what can happen. Life is too good. Our MS should never be allowed to get in the way of us fully embracing and experiencing life. (Even with smelly socks in my bag.) I truly believe, with clever, honest precautions we can experience and enjoy life to the fullest!