One restless afternoon, I went for a little wander around Rua Augusta. I had been there at night a couple of times with friends from my hostel and a woman I met up with through couch surfing and her friends. Interesting at night time, it's only during the day that I noticed the sex shops selling some quite spectacular clothing and even more interesting shoes. One shop in particular had a great selection of shoes for sale some but not all were a bit too slutty and reserved only for those working in strip bars. Some of the shoes were demure, normal wedged heels, others seemed like they could be hired, they were worn looking and stacked on deep racks. Two men were sat down on the benches trying some on gabbling away in Portuguese to the shop attendant. I was curiously trying to decide if they worked as cross dressers or what the deal was. One of them had quite neatly shaped eyebrows but otherwise, apart form the fact they were trying on high heels.
This area used to be the red light district but it's becoming an increasingly popular place to go out, the selection of bars and clubs is good and varied. Wondering down the road at night time there are collections of people selling street food and pirate dvd's, guys and girls on skateboards. On weekends it's supossed to be none other than bedlum and I can believe it, even on week nights it's teaming with life. During the day in amongst all the shops selling cheap lycra and fake latex dresses and corsets there are some nice shop and indoor market/collectives selling jewelry and clothing. It was encouraging to have found a couple of these places since I really enjoy looking around the London markets for these kinds of things. Just a shame I have no space left for any new items, nor spare cash to justify treating myself.
If only I had a fancy dress party coming up...
Sandwiched in the concrete mass and high rise towers are Augusta's bars and shops, adding a touch of colour and character
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