Not so much rest when you are with a highly energetic group ready to see the world! Did I mention ‘younger’ also?
Because on Sundays all museums are free to the public, we took a group to the “Palacio de Queluz” (Palace of Queluz). Randy and I had gone to the palace the week before as we had not ever seen it before. (Another time that R & I ventured out on our own, but did make it home without taking “alternative shortcuts”. Translated, we didn’t get too lost on the way back.) The Palace and its gardens are a remarkable monument that shows us the daily life of the royal family during the second half of the 18th century. As the weather was cloudy and a downpour did begin as we were ready to walk out into the gardens, we waited and several of us did venture out into the rain as it let up and let us walk the paths and see the tiled canal close up. What a beautiful place as the rain had washed the gardens clean!
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| Palace of Queluz - Music Room |
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| Gardens |
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| Queluz - Coffee Room |
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| Queluz - Gardens |
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| Queluz - Fountains and Gardens |
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| Queluz - Tiled Canal for boating |
After lunch at the PBI and a time of some rest, we all had the privilege of attending the Loures Church in which our dear friends pastor. Although the entire service was in Portuguese, the singing was heard and felt from people who truly love the Lord. The message by the young African man, M, who has been called to minister to and care for the church, as well as to preach, was simple, clear and called the people to follow God each day. I am only able to catch a few words in which I can translate and understand, but seeing the love these people have for one another and the love they share as we praise the same Lord, it is so special and deeply touches my heart. God’s love translates to the soul and is understood by believers regardless of language barriers. Praise Him!!!
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| M -- Young pastor at Loures Church |
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| Singing Fado |
The evening would be concluded with going to Fado. Fado, you ask??? Fado (Portuguese = destiny, fate) is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. However, in reality fado is simply a form of song which can be about anything. The Portuguese people take pride in their country and lives, but all said, it is ‘fate’ as history plays out for the people and the country.
We found our way to a small restaurant in the Alfama area of Lisboa (the very old streets and buildings) in which we enjoyed a crowded and very intimate traditional Portuguese dinner with all its courses, and four singers that sang Fado as we ate. The owner of the restaurant sang for us as she has done every night for many years and her mother had done for 30 years before her… A wonderful evening … a tiny restaurant, lots of people, and singers with huge voices. Dinner and singing – about four+ hours.
A great day! A lllooonnnggg day!
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