If we had known how the day would end, we would have greeted the Beja sun with more than our usual enthusiasm. We went off to our school assignments – some to have sad partings as they received beautiful remembrance gifts of the city and school in which they volunteered; others to have only the satisfaction of contributing to and creating a bridge to world peace as they conducted their last classes and said goodbye.
A few who had the “ritual” of lunch at Capitel wished (adios) to Pedro and other acquaintances.
Others were able to join our Pensao hosts Barbara and her son Hugo who had invited all of us to lunch at the restaurant next door. Barbara’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter who had been tutored by Marcia joined us.
When we were served the traditional meal, we gave a thank you and goodbye toast to our hosts and to Beja. The final touch was the traditional dessert, very sweet but beautiful to look at with the golden egg yolk color. Judy and I had to leave the others to leisurely after dinner conversation and more toasts. We had our final class at Escola Secundaria com 3 de Ciclo D. Manuel de Beja. Lucilia’s tourism class of reluctant learners became quite motivated as
we engaged them in role playing hotel receptionists and guests. We left the school on a most pleasant note. It was a very quiet place at 4 pm on Friday.
Judy took some final pictures of Beja as we walked back to Pensao Residencial Bejense.
THEN [drum roll} there was dinner at Pousada de Dao Francisco, one of several monasteries which have become part of Pousadas de Portugal. What a delightfully Portuguese dining room and what an elegant presentation of mixed salad followed by saltimbocca {chicken breast with smoked ham and potatoes) and ending with encharcada (the traditional eggs and sugar dessert). Of course, vinhos nao incluidos. The marvelous feast was followed by a brief wrap up program
in the moonlit garden by the pool.
The final [piece de resistance] Joanie and Bea regaled us with the “Last Will and Testament for those who Remain and come after them.” Filled with laughter and tears we
gave them a standing ovation.
A few who had the “ritual” of lunch at Capitel wished (adios) to Pedro and other acquaintances.
Others were able to join our Pensao hosts Barbara and her son Hugo who had invited all of us to lunch at the restaurant next door. Barbara’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter who had been tutored by Marcia joined us.
When we were served the traditional meal, we gave a thank you and goodbye toast to our hosts and to Beja. The final touch was the traditional dessert, very sweet but beautiful to look at with the golden egg yolk color. Judy and I had to leave the others to leisurely after dinner conversation and more toasts. We had our final class at Escola Secundaria com 3 de Ciclo D. Manuel de Beja. Lucilia’s tourism class of reluctant learners became quite motivated as
we engaged them in role playing hotel receptionists and guests. We left the school on a most pleasant note. It was a very quiet place at 4 pm on Friday.
Judy took some final pictures of Beja as we walked back to Pensao Residencial Bejense.
THEN [drum roll} there was dinner at Pousada de Dao Francisco, one of several monasteries which have become part of Pousadas de Portugal. What a delightfully Portuguese dining room and what an elegant presentation of mixed salad followed by saltimbocca {chicken breast with smoked ham and potatoes) and ending with encharcada (the traditional eggs and sugar dessert). Of course, vinhos nao incluidos. The marvelous feast was followed by a brief wrap up program
in the moonlit garden by the pool.
The final [piece de resistance] Joanie and Bea regaled us with the “Last Will and Testament for those who Remain and come after them.” Filled with laughter and tears we
gave them a standing ovation.
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