The Lord's Day - a day of rest?

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 18^th 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! 



Palace of Queluz - Music Room




 

Gardens





Queluz - Coffee Room





Queluz - Gardens



Queluz - Fountains and Gardens



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!!!

M -- Young pastor at Loures Church



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! 

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!!!



Viver em Portugal

Living in Portugal...

This visit to Portugal is definitely different than our visits past.  Previously, we would come, stay with O&M and see life as a "tourista"  for two weeks.  This visit we are still "touristas", but the eyes are seeing differently.  We live in a "first story" apartamento (which to me is really the 3rd, depending on which window you look out of.  Out the back - or is it the front?- we are on the 1st story, and from the front/back it is the 3rd story.  But here in Portugal, the ground floor is really the 0 story, and one floor up is the 1st.)  So I seem to always be confused as to which floor is really which floor!?!  Nevertheless, our apartment has become such a sweet place to come "home" to.  It is warm and cozy and the view is beautiful! 

All the windows are covered on the outside with shades that roll up and down.  At night down you roll them down because they block out all the street lights.  Yet many times during the day people leave them down to keep the bright sun out.  My friend M says she always can see our apartment because the shades are always up -- ours are the only windows lit up in the building at night.  I see their apartment also as she leaves her shades up in the evening.  We do lower the shade in the bedroom at night to darken the room, but I would definitely be too claustrophobic with them down all day and in the evening as we sit here.  We have only had to have one repaired since we have been here!?!  Oops!  We're learning.

Old tiles on the wall in our entry catch my eye each time I walk through.  Tiles are EVERYWHERE inside buildings and out!  Love love love the all the tiles here in Portugal! 

The light switches ... are on the outside of the room you are walking into.  How many times have I walked into a room and realized I'm standing in the dark with no switch by the door?  I'm not sure why that is except to confuse us "estrangeiros" (foreigners).  A bidet in every bathroom is hard for me to get used to and takes up space in the already tiny bathrooms.  Ours is blue which adds to the 'beauty' of the bidet, but there are several uses we have found... any ideas???

convenient place for the matches...

Ahhh... the blue bidet...

some quiet reading storage...

On driving ... I am so grateful we still drive on the right side of the road!  Yes, I drove myself to my Portuguese lesson and back the other morning all by myself!  I made it home without incident -- deep breath.  I have been able to drive a bit; its going well.  I have learned to manuver around and through the round-abouts pretty well also.  The highways are fantastic.  Many are new and they are SO smooth.  It is like driving on I5 with only a dozen other cars at times.  The round-abouts are a most efficient and quick way to get from one place to another.  At home, we haven't quite figured out to use them as efficiently without stopping or running into another car.  Stop signs here are mostly just a "suggestion" and you can't turn right on a red light.  Curbs are definitely "optional" and everyone parks over the curb anytime, and whenever there isn't quite enough room in the regular parking spaces!!!  :)  (ps.  By the way, my lessons were only a few blocks away, but when you are as directionally challenged as I am, a few blocks can seem like miles!!)

Abatanado pingado and torrado

Coffee drinking is a way of life ... and an art. To me, an interesting challenge.  At home we walk into Starbucks, we know our favorite coffee drink, and order a large size that we can carry out with us.  The coffees are all written out on the board overhead -- simple.  Here?  Not so much.  I have been making a list and trying to figure out which is my favorite.  Ordering a large mug of coffee "with room for cream" is nowhere to be found.  Let's see... there's uma bica, uma bica cheia, um abatanado and abatanado pingado, uma carioca, uma meia de leitte and a galao.  Which one do I try?  I do like a bica cheia (=an espresso, 1 shot,  the little cup is full) for afternoon coffee and after dinner as dessert.  For the morning I have been enjoying um abatanado pingado (= 1 shot with a few drops of milk in the larger 'tea' cup size cup.)  Only here at home every morning do we make a pot of coffee and enjoy it with the mini moos we brought with us -- and, we can hold the large mug!  Mini moos?  Yes we brought them in our suitcases, they don't do 1/2 and 1/2 here, only whole milk for your coffee.  Crazy Americans we are! Oh, the things we can't do without!  :)  I'm sure there are many more coffee drinks, but for now that list is long enough for me.  The cafes here are great!  It is a social place for people to stop on the way to work for a coffee or simply to meet friends for a visit. 

Living in Portugal ... the hardest thing for me is not being able to speak Portuguese.  I have taken many lessons, but this old dog can't seem to learn the new trick of learning the language.  We do have an instructor here in Loures who is fantistic!  She is Portuguese and speaks perfect Portuguese and also perfect English.  E is very patient and is very knowledgable about the "whys" and "hows" of the language which has been very helpful.  E is encouraging even as I feel like a 6 year old trying to learn.  I am picking up more words and understanding a bit more, but continue to be frustrated as I wish I were able to communicate with people.  I definitely appreciate her taking time with us to help us.  E took me to lunch at a tiny local restaurant after my last lesson.  We had a wonderful time visiting about food, family and life in general.  She loves the Lord , I am grateful for the gift He has given her.  Obrigada minha amiga!

These are only a few things that I wanted to share with you.  I know as I continue on this journey there will be much more...  

"For the Lord is Good and His Love Endures Forever; His Faithfulness continues through all generations."  Psalm 100.5  (And even my times and travels here in Portugal! :)
























. 





A step back in time -- waaayyy back!

Tomar, anyone?  I knew that I was someplace amazing when I would hear O say "WOW!"  as he would enter another room ahead of me.  I was already clicking pictures with each step I took and could hardly wait to turn the corner and see the next room.  This is a place that was not only beautiful, but OLD, well preserved, interesting and especially hard to wrap your mind around.  Tomar...



Main square

We arrived at the main square at the church and clocktower in time to enter and hear a beautiful special "holiday" mass.  (It was November 1 - All Saints Day here in Portugal.  A holiday for many.)  The church was full, standing room only.  The choir and the sounds seemed to float through the church as we stood in the back and saw the people, sincere in their attendance that day.  We then proceeded to walk UP to the castle...  a 12th century castle containing the Convento de Cristo founded in 1162.  How long do you have to read this?  I can hardly describe what I saw...  Remember the Da Vinci Code and the Templer Knights?  This was the world headquarters for their crusades against the Moors.  Think the Pentegon and the White House and National Cathedral all in one castle taken by the knights after 300 years of Islamic rule.  It was the headquarters of Prince Henry the Navigator and used up until the 1900's. 



Main square (looking up to castle)



The walk UP to the castle



Walking through the corridors, stairwells and rooms made me feel small in comparison to the walls that surrounded me.  I felt the dedication of the monks that lived their lives within this place, not a place of comfort and ease, but of discipline and dedication.  A simple existence.  Each church/cathedral I enter, I can't help but breathe in and stand in awe of our Awesome God. The ornamentation, gold leaf coverings, exquisite murals depicting the life and suffering of our Lord, make me take humble pause.  The worn thick wooden benches, stone and marble floors show the countless feet that walked on this exact place over the many centuries.  I can't imagine the infinite number of prayers that were raised.  Need I continue???

Inside the castle walls!

The Charola - The original Romanesque Templar church





Main cloister

Refectory

Cozina - The kitchen

Stone hallways

Olive oil storage

Capela velho (Old chapel)

For lunch we drove down through the town and found a restaurant called "A Bela Vista", appropriatly named - A Beautiful View!  And that it was.  I do have to say that Portuguese meals are wonderful in that they are never rushed.  You can spend all afternoon sitting at the table and never be frowned upon for taking up too much time at a table could serve more patrons.  The waiters do not ever bring you the check until you specifically aske for it.  Of course every lunch and dinner contains more than one should eat at one time.  The bread served is always tasty, olives are a staple, most often cheese is served... and this is before the meal is even served!  For the meal, porco, peru, frango, carne and peixe are often the choices, which are served on a platter large enough to serve 2-3 people.  We have learned that sharing meals is a must.  Then it is rude to leave before dessert is served and cafe rounds out the meal.  Cafe  (=coffee) is an art in itself to order. 

View from our table at "A Bela Vista", where we had lunch.  Across the bridge is the main shopping street looking up to the castle. 

Tomar is a MUST on the list of places to visit again.  (Note:  Our friends O & M had not ever been there and we suggested we check it out because we saw it on HGTV's House Hunters International one evening at home a  - woman was buying a home there and restoring it.  See, HGTV even aids in European travel!?!)  These are only a few of the MANY pictures I took.  Thank you for joining me...

As bustling, beautiful and historic as Liboa is, we find the small towns and out of the way places to be most fascinating. 

"He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will not be shaken.  My Salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my Mighty Rock, my Refuge.  Trust in Him at all times... He is our Refuge."  Psalm 62.6-8  

Viagem com Velez



= Voyage with Velez

Monday -- laundry day!  What?  How can that be???  I have to do laundry in a washing machine that I can't even read?  What are all those buttons?  Okay, I can do this!  Two loads down, one more to go.  What?  No drier?  Check this out...  My dear BSF sister, PD hangs her clothes out each week, I can do this...  Thank you PD, for your encouragement!  Our laundry hanging out to dry on the patio and on the clothes line outside the kitchen window (3 floors up!)   The upstairs neighbor's laundry hanging above ours...

Then off we go on an adventure with our friends, A & P!   Destination: Santarem and then Almeirim to have "stone soup" for lunch.  Sounds good...  Santarem overlooks the Tagus River, was important to Julius Ceasar as a bureaucratic center and to the Moors, a stronghold from all that was south in Portugal.  We walked up through the old city to what is left of the castle walls.  Inside these walls is now a garden overlooking the river and surrounding agricultural land.  As we walked up the narrow streets on "sidewalks" that were about 2 feet wide, the tiles on the buildings were fabulous!  (See picture below of store front with narrow "sidewalks" with "cobblestone" streets.  Eash piece is set in by hand.)

Okay, I admit, my biggest temptation happened today ...  It was a tough one!!!  As I mentioned, the tiles on the outer walls of the buildings lining the streets were incredible!  As we were passing by one builing I looked up and saw that several tiles had been taken off the wall.  Hmmm, I stopped and touched the tile right below the void of tiles above, and it was LOOSE!!!  Oh my, I wanted so badly to pull it off, but there I was, in broad daylight, in a foreign country, with my dear Christian husband and Godly friends... and back home I am a BSF leader... walk away, walk away...  I turned and did so.  But I couldn't resist, I turned back around and had to touch it once more just in case it was to fall on the ground as I stood there and I needed to catch it before it hit the ground and shattered into a million pieces!!!  It was STILL loose... walk away, walk away...  Yes, I walked away in a cold sweat, coveting that tile so badly.   It was at LEAST several hundred years old.  I recovered and did not walk that street again on the way back to the car.  The temptation was so great.  Pictures will have to do...



"Stone Soup"



We would now begin our hunt for the "best stone soup" in town...  As we arrived in Almeirim, A stops and asks several older Portuguese people for the best stone soup.  We found it!  And it was very tasty -- a bean-based soup with potatoes, sausages and meat!  But the portions of everything we eat here is enough to feed twice the number of people at the table.  Then, as always they bring the dessert menu... it is basically rude to not eat dessert.  Oh how could I eat more???  So a "bica" (an espresso coffee) will have to do.  I do have to tell you that the coffee here is amazing.  It is fresh, it is strong, it is roasted to perfection and oh so tasty! 



What a great way to spend a day! 



Narrow street in Santarem



Modern clothing store in OLD Santarem



 



Former Roman cathedral, now a museum (12th century)




Cathedral at the city center







Castle wall and surrounding city of Santarem



Monday -- Laundry day!





"God is my refuge and STRENGTH, an ever present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, ...

The Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our FORTRESS."  Psalm 46.1 & 7



One cannot walk near, through and around these incredible reminders that God is our refuge, strength, help and fortress!  Deus é minha ajuda e força!  What an amazing God Who loves us!!!