Portugal, Week 7

COIMBRA - pronounced "cweem..bra"

One of the oldest universities in Europe

Pics of graduation outfits and students in black capes studying human animation. Brazil didn't have a university in the 18th century and so their brightest students came to Coimbra.

Coimbra is a university town, with the buildings situated on the highest point in the city. It's impossible to climb straight up the hill and so you zigzag your way through narrow passways and streets. They even have an elevator on one side of the cliff to take you halfway up. I think all students and faculty members must be in very good physical shape in order to make it to the lectures on time!

On Tuesday, we toured the Zooilogical Museum and the Physics and Chemistry exhibit on university grounds. The building was built by the Jusuits in 1700's.   We had a private tour with a graduate of the university studying for his doctorate. He even took us to the cafeteria that was busy and full of students. We had a great lunch and even better conversation with Miguel, who is off to Rome tomorrow for 4 days. He and his companions booked tickets in November for a return flight..Lisbon to Rome for 60€, less than $100cdn. What a great deal!

Items made from cork, umbrellas, shoes and even dresses. Wonder how you get a wine stain out!?

Brazil's voice of Ash Ketchum

Sharing our accommodation was an actor and voice actor (dubs Pokemon and other movies into Portuguese). He entertained us with a onesided conversation with Pikachu! Lots of fun. Our hostess just returned from 2 months in Brazil and was leaving 3 days later to her native Prauge, where she is applying for a job back in Portugal in Madeira. There is very little opportunity for young people here and a large number are leaving Portugal to find work. 

The Botanical Garden was created in 1772. 

I can only I magine how breathtaking it will look in full bloom.

Daily work-out regiment implemented to fight off effects of custard tart intake.

TOMAR, the castle was conquered in 1129, original build date is unknown. It was reconstructed in 1171 and put in trust of Knights Templar.  It is the best representation of the influence of Templar Knights in Portugal. The castle was fed water by an 18km aqueduct that has 180 arches. Pretty

impressive technology.

We left Tomar on the 13th. We were up bright and early, well not bright, it was still dark. I plugged in the kettle for coffee and the power went out. Because there are very few windows in the 15th century home, almost every room was pitch black. Thank goodness for iPhone flash lights! So we left the house, without a cup of coffee, breakfast or a shower. Then when we got to the bus station, the driver couldn't find the keys to start the bus. But we finally got on the road, waiting for 1 more insident as everything comes in 3's. It was our lucky day! Smooth sailing to Nazare, next weeks' news.

THE END