Look up!

Every time I visit Lisbon I come here to sit on the Esplanada do Adamastor.I get there in the afternoon and stay until dark.The Esplanada is a viewpoint, a miraodouro, which means literally translated “watch gold”. And that is the secret of those places in Lisbon which lie above the rooftops of the city: right here at the Esplanada the sunset unfolds the magical appeal of a campfire. All people stand still, and all of them watch as this big bright some-thing slowly disappears beyond the horizon. And it feels like people would gather around the fire like in old times. While the Lisbons sit on the patio and drink their coffee, the few tourists enjoy the golden atmosphere by looking up.They too have discovered this hidden place for themselves as an extraordinary place for extraordinary people.They are all here to see the sun. And to look up. Here I met Tiago who taught me an eye exercise which says that you should raise your eyes regularly. For him it is a fact that while you look up your negative feelings vanish, your thoughts come to rest and create space for uplifting inspirations. Whether your head is raised or lowered, influences your kind of thinking. Maybe that’s why I like to sit on the Esplanada because I believe in the power of imagination.You can divide the citizens of Lisbon in two groups: those with lowered heads (the depressed) and those with heads held high (the passionate).The latter regularly visit the Esplanada. Some have piercings some wear suits and ties but they all feel good because they are illuminated by the same sun.They play guitar, sit on the grass and talk or sit back and relax in their chairs, being sprinkled by the sunshine just like by news of a broadcast.And maybe it really is big news, this Lisbon sun.A message that will never be outdated.Yes, I actually believe in Tiago's idea that if you sit on the Esplanada in the late afternoon you become a different person.You just sit there and look up, being in tune with the world and yourself.