Friday Night Outing

On Friday I my roommate and I were offered free tickets to hear the Lisbon Orchestra play. One of the french horn players goes to the church and often will share extra tickets with friends. It was a cloudy, rainy day at the end of a long week so my roommate Gina decided not to go. I haven't learned how to navigate my way to Lisbon by train and bus yet, so I said I was interested but would need help getting there. Before the afternoon was over I had a ride arranged with a clarinet player who is connected with school/church and lives nearby. At 5:10 I was to meet Esther, my ride, outside the school on the main road. Esther pulled up right on time and took me into Lisbon. Ironically she has a sister who lives in Rochester, NY - in Greece! We enjoyed getting to know one another on the ride in. I was there about an hour before the concert began at 7pm and had a chance to wander around the gardens outside the building before the concert began. My seat was in the 3rd row on the right hand side.

The concert was GREAT! The program had a variety of music starting with an 18 year old guest soloist playing a Prokofiev Piano Concerto. Followed by that was a soprano soloist singing 6 different Strauss songs. After the intermission the orchestra performed Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky and Ravel. After the concert Esther had plans to go to a cafe with a friend for a quick dinner. I felt like I was intruding, but she assured me that I was welcome. Once we got there some other orchestra friends also joined us. I met 4 violin players and another clarinet player. They were all very friendly and welcoming. We shared many laughs over a delicious dinner - a baked fish and rice dish!

It was a late night - I didn't get back till 11:30 but was glad I took the opportunity to do something spontaneous. It was also fun to meet some new people. I'm still getting used to the Portuguese greeting and goodbye - a kiss on each cheek. I was "kissed" by 4 guys Friday night! I made the mistake of putting out my hand to say goodbye and was reminded with a smile that in Portugal it's not a handshake! More adventures to come. This Thursday the teachers leave for a conference in Budapest, Hungary. I'll be sure to post some pictures and news about our trip when I can.

Castle Tour!

On Saturday I had the chance to tour a castle in Tomar, Portugal with some new friends. I met some teachers from the ABWE school in Lisbon last weekend. Nick and his wife Krista invited me to join them and Meredith (another first year teacher) on the day trip.We started with lunch at a cafe. I had pork chops with Portuguese rice, salad, and fries. It was delicious and fun to experience European eating at an outdoor cafe. I think this was my first authentic Portuguese food since arriving. In the square we went in a church that is one of Portugal's oldest built in 1430. Different vendors had tables set up in the square selling different kinds of nuts.

Most of our time was spent walking through a castle from the 12th century! Templar knights helped the Portuguese fight the Moors. In return the king gave land to them where castles and churches were built. This particular castle and convent was built in 1162. In later years other additions were added. It was so neat to walk through the halls and rooms and imagine what history had taken place there. The views were picturesque and the weather was perfect for a jaunt through ancient history. The first picture is a look at the round Templar Church. The rest are various pictures from inside. The architecture was neat to see - very ornate and detailed in places. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and look forward to my next sightseeing adventure....

10 Random Things - in no specific order!

Random things that catch me by surprise:

1. Cars park on the sidewalks all over the place
2. All the security - gates, fences, locks, security guards inside grocery stores and at entrances to other stores (Are they over cautious or is it needed? I've never felt unsafe)
3. Standard paper is A4 size - this doesn't work with American filling system - the papers are about 2 in longer and don't fit in the hanging file folders in my office! I'll have to come up with a new system. Papers aren't hole punched with 3 holes but 2 about 3 in. apart. 
4. Milk comes in cardboard boxes - unrefrigerated
5. This morning there was a lot of fog - it was like a cloud settled in Cascais for the morning. After church it had lifted and you could see the sky.
6. Normal dinner time is around 8-9pm
7. Still wearing sandals in October! Enjoying the sunshine and blue skies!
8. People you pass on the street don't smile or give any greetings.
9. Tiny, compact cars and some delivery trucks with 3 wheels that are super tiny and go putting along! Makes me wonder what it'd feel like to squish myself inside one.
10. Keys - I have a lot of different keys for school and the apartment. At school - the gate, main door, and my office. Apartment - main door, apt. door lock and dead bolt.Some keys are in the shape of a plus sign with teeth on all 4 sides. You have to get it in the lock just the right way for it to turn. I've learned by trial and error! :O)