PORTUGUESE FAME !! Wooohooooo!!

Of course, its true that past is past. Its a tickle to look back and bring more and more stories. However to continue my rhythm on my days of Portugal, I have some news about some news to share.

The guy who throws the newspaper bunch at my doorstep decided to be innovative.It took him lot of efforts to make this news travel from Portugal to my little town Bhubaneswar in India via kilometers and kilometers of cables, satellites, some Russian spies and Google translator.

One of these days, my name has appeared in the topmost weekly magazine of Portugal. The weekly Journal is called Visao. So this Magazine, decided to print about the top professional travelers of Portugal. They made lot of research and interviews to make this article called "Correr o Mundo com Pouco Dinheiro" meaning, run the world with little money.

They had to ring up my friend, Jorge Vassallo Fragoso as its about the best travelers of Portugal. So my friend during his work/leisure assignment called 99 days in South America, had emails and skype calls to document for this article.

But this Portuguese Magazine writing about Portuguese travelers, traveling around the world also touched one Indian across continents. Thanks to my generous friend who decided to share few lines about me and the struggle I went through as an Indian traveler to be in South America.

Here is "Visao" talking about Jorge Vassallo Fragoso, accompanied by the Indian friend Bunty in his expedition, 99 days of South America.

Now may be the Portuguese in every house are curious who and WHERE IS BUNTY :)

MY FIRST TIME # 2 : MY FIRST DRIVING

To the end of June 2013, I have many many first times to share. However since I am in a remind mode at the moment, today would be one of my first times from the past. So my first time # 2 is from my favourite Portugal.

As kids we play with cars and dream that we are driving them. For me it was nothing different. The only difference was as I grew up to an adult, who never drove a car. I was not allowed by my family. That is why I never had driving classes or drove a car. However, my driving lisence allows me to drive four wheels and that is a different story altogether.

In India I am never allowed. However while driving to the Volcano of Mt Bromo in the Java Island of Indonesia, our driver offered to drive on the ash desert. The next moment my friend Jorge was with the stearing to enjoy the experience. How cool it is drive miles and miles on a desert made from the ash of the Volcano and the perk was Range Rover. You are a very good driver says our guide cum driver to Jorge.

With all smiles, the happy Jorge offered me to drive aswell. I who does not know how to drive, Of course I know some techniques but never had a practical lesson. So I was on the stearing and Vrummmmmmn......

Vrummmmmn....

Vrummmmm.....

Vrummmmm.....

Bunty, have you ever driven before, asked the Jorge. No, never was my answer and there is always a first time. I was too reluctant to give up and was insisting to learn in the middle of the tour on the ash desert.

However my first time driving never happened at the Volcano of course. I had to give up when I was promised by my friend that I would be allowed to drive on better roads.

So, My first time driving happened in streets of Sintra, Portugal. Where my friend kept his promise and allowed me to be on the strearing. I did a fair job with some lessons and drove back and forth.

I am still not driving yet, but my first experience of driving would be always huge from the beautiful Sintra in Portugal.

The perk this time was a Mini.....woooohooooo :)

SANTO ANTONIO

Santo Antonio or Saint Anthony is the patron saint of Lisbon.

He lived in Lisbon for long where he was born to a wealthy family. Although he is famously known as Anthony of Padua.
On 12th and 13th of June, Lisbon celebrates the festival, Santo Antonio every year to mark the beginning of summer.

 Its my saudades (missing) today for all the fun, the food, the streets and the parties in it, for 1 Euro beer and shots, the bifanas, the welcoming strangers, the city Lisbon which celebrates it, my friends and the Portugal.

I remember being told by my friend, when I was surprised at the price of the beer and sardines, that it always gets more cheaper as we climb the serpentine roads to the Castle. No wonder the beer flows in the streets like water. The Fado music in the restaurants and the people dancing on the Calcada(a special Portuguese style streets)

Everyone on the street. A great evening to remember. I would call this a party of life time.

1001 Pageviews

Its been 8 months, I have a blog.

Am very sigh that am not active on it due to my active travel life. I have not yet shared it publicly.
I sincerely apologize for keeping it a secret.

I am not sure why am not sharing it yet. Why am I waiting for the day.
However, today it has reached a landmark. The secret travel blog is not so secret as it has 1001 page views.

HURRRRAY!!!

IS "SAUDADES" ONLY PORTUGUESE

"Saudades"

Saudades is a Portuguese word meaning missing. Often says my Portuguese friends, Que Saudades, their missing for me.

This raises a big curiosity for the word. Google says this word exist only in Portuguese and there is no direct translation of it to any other language. It is widely used in Portugal near to Spain. Its even said differently in Brazilian Portuguese and the Galician world.

Some specialists say, this word originates during the Great Portuguese Discoveries, when many left homes on voyages to unknown seas, lost themselves in shipwrecks and battles or never returned. Hence this word explains the longing and suffering of the women and children waiting for them.

But today more than the meaning of this great word, I have the feeling of it.

Its for the great time I had same day last year, for the friends I made and the moments I lived. The two days of great celebration of an annual festival called Santo Antonio in Lisboa, Portugal.

A festival celebrated every 12th of June. I miss this day.
The yellow tram's horn, the sound that makes the Sardines crispy, the noise of Alfama, the street parties gearing up ... the music and the dance in the street ... the Portuguese words... is buzzing in my ears.

Few days ago there was an online post saying, " Saudade is only Portuguese".
The word is Portuguese. But, the unique emotions behind this magical word could belong to anyone.

So Is "Saudades" only Portuguese ?