A minha visita a Portugal esta a terminar, hoje chegui a Lisboa para dormir a ultima noite. Tonight will be my last night in Portugal, our group returned early this afternoon to Lisbon after a brief stop in Fatima. It has been a few years since I had visited Fatima and since that time a beautiful church has been built. This church has a seating capacity for approximately 10, 000 parishoners and is actually quite comfortable. The seating and controlled air temperature makes this a great meeting point or a place for simple meditation.
I also had an opportunity to vist the Basillica at Fatima and witnessed hundreds of pilgrims participating in various masses in different languages. It was amazing to be visiting this sacred place just eighteen days after the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI had visited.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Batalha Square - Porto
Today my immagination is running wild, maybe it was too many hours of sleep last night or just an apreciation of all the colorful sights that I can finally appreciate in Batalha Square.
My hotel, Quality Inn is at the center of Batalha Square, although it has been my home for the last six days I never had the ooportunity to simply appreciate the hustle and bustle of all that criss-cross this square. To the right of the Quality Inn are two cafes that are filled to capacity with patrons, a scene that I had never witnessed in the evening hours. Cafe Chave Douro and Tropical Snack Bar must have their regular Sunday morning customers, not the same late night tourists that occupy those same seats.
Tour bus after bus have passed this sqaure filled with tourists from all over the world since I have been sitting on my bench, nestled under the shade of an oak tree that I share with my two new friends from Dakar, Senegal. I must not forget that I also share this prime space with twenty or so pigeons that consistently roam the perimeter of Batalha Square.
To the left of my hotel, Charasqueira Brasil is quickly setting up the veranda chairs and tables that I am sure will quickly fill up with hungry patrons. I have not yet had an opportunity to experience this Brasilian style of cuisine but may do just that today. Along the same pathway, you will find Tabacaria Brasil my preferred stop for a morning newspaper and brief conversation with Antonio, an older fellow who appears to have read every headline before 6:00 AM. I walk a few more paces and enter Cafe Java, I rest my laptop at a table closest to the open window and go about my business. Zecca, already knows that when I'm ready I'll signal him over and order my preferred drink, "um cafe por favor".
My hotel, Quality Inn is at the center of Batalha Square, although it has been my home for the last six days I never had the ooportunity to simply appreciate the hustle and bustle of all that criss-cross this square. To the right of the Quality Inn are two cafes that are filled to capacity with patrons, a scene that I had never witnessed in the evening hours. Cafe Chave Douro and Tropical Snack Bar must have their regular Sunday morning customers, not the same late night tourists that occupy those same seats.
Tour bus after bus have passed this sqaure filled with tourists from all over the world since I have been sitting on my bench, nestled under the shade of an oak tree that I share with my two new friends from Dakar, Senegal. I must not forget that I also share this prime space with twenty or so pigeons that consistently roam the perimeter of Batalha Square.
To the left of my hotel, Charasqueira Brasil is quickly setting up the veranda chairs and tables that I am sure will quickly fill up with hungry patrons. I have not yet had an opportunity to experience this Brasilian style of cuisine but may do just that today. Along the same pathway, you will find Tabacaria Brasil my preferred stop for a morning newspaper and brief conversation with Antonio, an older fellow who appears to have read every headline before 6:00 AM. I walk a few more paces and enter Cafe Java, I rest my laptop at a table closest to the open window and go about my business. Zecca, already knows that when I'm ready I'll signal him over and order my preferred drink, "um cafe por favor".
Thursday, May 27, 2010
University of Coimbra
My journey has contiued to Northern Portugal, the three hour drive from Lisbon did allow us to detour to Coimbra, Portugal's best of the best universities. The highlight of our trip was a visit to the Joanina Library that has been preserved since the 18th century. The library contains about 250 thousand volumes, namely works of medicine, geography, history, humanistic studies, science, civil and canonical law, philosophy and theology. It is a National Monument and has a priceless historical value being one of the main tourist attractions among the older monuments belonging to the university.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Carfi
As we concluded our company visits in Lisbon our journey took us to Marinha Grande to visit Carfi. This very dynamic company is ranked number six of 1,500 of Portugal's most inovative companies. Here I present Guida Figueiredo a BSC coffee mug as a thank you for her hospitality.
www.carfi.pt
Obidos - The Walled City
A very enjoyable journey to Obidos, the walled city was only a small part of today's itinerary. You must not leave this city without an obligatory drink of "ginja" poured in a chocolate cup.
Enjoy because I certainly did!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Temple of Diana and Temple of the Bones
Part of our journey today took us to Evora to visit the Temple of Diana and Temple of the Bones. This photo was taken outside the Temple of the Bones. Please review the video attached and hang on to your seat!
Parque das Nacoes
Today we had the opportunity to visit "Parque das Nacoes" the former sight of Expo '98. It is presently host to many fabulous restaurants and entertainment venues and is very close to one of the longest bridges in Europe, "Vasco de Gama Bridge" approximately 19 kilometers long.
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