a jornada: Follow the Star

Today R and I took a trip to Monsaraz with A, P and D. What is Monsaraz??? It is a place like non other I have ever seen. This was my third trip and I never tire of its enchantment and beauty. Today was special because it was the first day their nativity scene was displayed for the Christmas season. We have learned that here in Portugal each town here puts up a nativity scene in its town center. There is no argument about offending someone's religious beliefs, they are on display for all to see. Some scenes are very colorful, some are whimsical, some are abstract, some are large, some are smaller, but all are different.

Monsaraz is a tiny walled town on a hill on the frontier of Spain (about 20 miles away from Spain's border.) From what I have read and what I saw today in its tiny museum, this walled town and castle have been around since at least 1167. We walked on top of the wall for awhile, about 3-4 feet wide and of course no guard rails!!! When you enter the main gate/entrance, the narrow streets lead up through the town past the church, to the castle and the bull ring, yes, a bull ring. Two years ago when we were there, we found a tiny restaurant in which to have lunch. It sat only about 10, maybe 12 people and as we sat there, I noticed the floor slanted down towards the windows. We did not sit at a table near the windows, but I did move closer to them for a picture. I remember I felt uneasy as I came too close to the windows as it seemed I would simply slide right out. It was also a memorable lunch as a friend had pig jaw for lunch!?! Well... last year the restaurant fell/slid down the hill. The slant in the floor was telling us all along... Needless to say, the restaurant no longer is open.

Monsaraz

Back to today... We went specifically to see the nativity. Oh I am SO glad we did! I have never seen one like it. Life size papier mache guards at the gate, camels mounted by the three wise men, shepherds, sheep and donkeys, all proceeding up through the main street, past the woman at the well, a begger on the church steps and a mother bringing her children up towards Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus where He lay in a manager with a large star overhead, atop the castle tower. I was mesmeirmized by the life size figures that all looked up towards the star and were walking towards it. I couldn't help but walk there also...

Come walk up up the street with me... and follow the star...