It wasn’t planned and she didn’t want to, not at first.

But Hind Iguernane and Aziz Benharref , residents of the Ottawa suburb of Orleans, were coming to the end of their first full day in the Portuguese capital. They had visited the cathedral, explored the historic Alfama district and bought souvenirs for friends and family back home.

And at 6 p.m., the couple arrived before the iconic bright yellow funicular that has been in operation since 1885. Known as the Gloria Elevator, it was one more of those things that makes Lisbon, well, Lisbon.

“We took photos. We didn’t even plan to go on it. But then he said to me, ‘Come on, it’s part of the experience. You can do it,’” Iguernane, 32, told the Star.

Benharref was the adventurous type — outgoing, sociable, up for anything. Iguernane wa

See Full Page