Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Countdown is Sadly Underway...

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Thought for the day: “Tomorrow is today, kid.” Graffiti on Rua dos Enfantes

Wednesday, the morning after our memorable celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Portuguese Republic at Escola Santa Maria. Thank you notes were written in both English and Portuguese by Ann 2 and delivered to our host, Joao Fernandes, by AB.
Suddenly we all realized that our time in Beja was coming to a close. Maps in hand, we began to scurry throughout town, visiting museums and churches, many in place before Jamestown and Plymouth! Sun and blue skies continue to favor our exploration.

Brian and Tutu recalled a story of a broken ceramic spoon holder that Pam had told us. They pursued and then presented a replacement spoon holder to her, clearly heralding Beja and handsomely wrapped from our appreciative team.

Announcements continued:
Thursday evening we were invited to dinner at the library hosted by our Portuguese teachers.

Friday, Barbara, our hotel keeper, is hosting a dinner for us here at 8:30pm.

Saturday morning schedule: Our final Beja breakfast will be at 6:45am, with luggage in the lobby for a 7:15am departure by cab. We will go by bus to Lisbon, provided by the railroad company and be dropped off at the familiar Oriente RR Station.

Just as we were gaining confidence in our roles as a volunteer, the countdown was sadly underway. Café Sagres raised the bar with delectable chocolate mousse and crème brulee.

Carol

Friday, October 1, 2010

"Portugese maps are not quite precise."

Friday, October 1

Quote for the day: “Portuguese maps are not quite precise.” Fellow lost wanderer in Evora.

Breakfast and lunch have settled into a familiar pattern which no longer bears repeating. Once again, Pam improved on dinner (how can it continue to get better!!) salmon, potatoes, a great soup followed by delectable ice cream.

Tutu and Ann 2. are working in a school that Carlos labels a recycling school. It is one of the tech schools for tourism and environmentalism. Carol and Babs play against each other: Midwest north (MN) vs southeast (FL) which resulted in great interaction, generating questions. They have found the school could use sports teams. Leonard was playing sports charades and found himself demonstrating wrestling with a young Ukranian.

We find a number of students from different countries. Romanians seem to be in many classes. Brenda P. and Ann encountered two Romanians in one class; one was a good student. In one class Bryan and Ann found Spanish, German, Romanian, and Dutch students.

Brenda C.’s back has improved enough to walk to school. Brenda P and Ann toured museums with one of their teachers.

There will be 7 going to Evora on Saturday; 7 on Sunday to several small towns in a van provided by the municipality. Kudos to Carol and Pam for arranging those excursions.

AB