Exhausting or Exhilarating???

Both!!!  I finally have a few minutes to sit, write and update.  The past few days have been somewhat blurred together as I begin, but the memories are good ones.  Our days have been filled from the time we awoke each morning until we fell into bed at night, exhausted, longing for several hours of sleep.     

The MBA students and faculty all arrived safely in spite of several flights delays, cancellations and changes.  After settling them all into their rooms, we were off on our first adventure …  well, more of a ‘keep-everyone-awake-until-bedtime’ afternoon after their long flights to Portugal.    

Note:  All stayed at the Portuguese Bible Institute where we had a wonderful large kitchen to prepare and serve all meals.  M and I planned breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, purchased all needed food and supplies and prepared each meal at the PBI.  M is an incredible cook/baker, so I was able to work along side her and help.  We decided we work very well together as she loves cooking and I am more than glad to do the cleanup.  What a privilege and joy!!! 

The town of Sintra (see previous post) was our first stop.  Again what a wonderful place to spend several hours.  The weather was good (although we previously had rain off and on), Some shopping, some coffee … Mmmm … , some tasty local pastries and of course pictures and more pictures! 

We spent a day downtown Lisboa touring.  All were ready to go with cameras in hand.  We piled into 3 vans (18 people) and heading down the highway… 



 Here are several sights and stops of the day…  "Feira da Ladres" (Theives Market) is a large flea market begun in a part of old downtown Lisboa over 100 years ago.  It has remained in the same spot, but has grown even over the past several years we have come to search for treasures.  It is a favorite place of mine as “the hunt” for that special item just HAS to be on the next table or booth, right!?!  Over the years we have found some really unique and OLD items.  I could spend hours here! 



Onward… we stopped at the "Se" (the main cathedral in Lisbon.)  I guess it may be easy to say “oh just another cathedral” when here, but each is unique and has a richness within its walls that speak if you ‘listen’.  The Se is very interesting in that it was built over 2,000 years ago as a Roman settlement, then over time it was built over time in layers.  Next it was built over as an Islamic Masque.  Now the cathedral built on top that we visit today, is a Catholic Christian cathedral.  In the cloister area there are continuing excavations to uncover the Roman settlement below.  Very amazing to look at and try to let the brain compute that you are looking at something that OLD! 



Se





Roman excavation/ruins at the Se



We continued with a walk down the "Rua Augusta" (Augusta Road/Street) in old Lisbon.  Cafes and shops line the sides and now venders all provide many Portuguese items for sale.  I must note that regardless of the streets we walk down in any town, you have to look up as above the quaint shops and cafes below, the next story is inhabited by people that often have lived right in that same home for years, if not decides.  The towns may grow and the tourists come and go, but the residents maintain everyday life as we are so often oblivious as we walk by.  The laundry is hung right outside their windows and doors to dry – no matter that people are always walking by. 

Rua Augusta

Along the "Rua Augusta", a stop at a Jewish church that had been burned  with 100’s of Jews locked inside during the 1700’s.  It has been rebuilt, but the inside remains still show the blacked walls because of the intense fire and heat that was set.  It was sobering and saddening to think that so many lost their lives because of religious intolerance.  Now outside stands a memorial and olive tree planted as a gift of remembrance. 



Jewish Church



Jewish Church interior



Memorial and Olive Tree



As the day progressed we found ourselves down by the River Tagus at the Monument of the Discoveries.  The explorers bravely looking to the sea, ready to find a new land, and the priests wishing them well with prayers ...  The monument was built in 1960 commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator.  A beautiful monument reminding all who come to see it the rich history Portugal has offered.  A stop at "Pasteis Belem" (cafe and pastry shop) is an absolute must as you walk back up toward town!!!  It is world famous for the special pastries ("Pastries de nata") baked only here – the best! (although other bakeries do bake their version of this treat also - not as tasty though.)  It is said that only a small handful of people today know the recipe for this specialty.  You add an "abatinado pingado cheia" (coffee with a few drops of milk), and oh my, you could make a meal of these!  Who cares about the other food groups when you have flour, eggs and sugar baked in this amazing little goodie?!? 

Monument of the Discoveries at the river



Pasteis de Nata



It was a FULL day to say the least.  Getting 20 people in and out of 3 vans that are trying to stay together in traffic and then find parking is no easy task.  Does the term “herding cats” help you picture the day?   All in all a terrific day with our wonderful ‘tour guides’ – O, M and A!  Muito obrigada!!!