SPAIN OR SERRA DA ESTRELA ?

It is very difficult to make travel decisions.
On the very second day while we were planning for the time in Portugal, I was given two choices. It was to choose between South of Spain and Serra da estrela.

I was aware of South of Spain and had done some prior research on the places to visit. How ever, I had no idea about Serra da Estrela except for what it means - Mountain of the star. We were invited by a friend to his sister's place in the mountains.

As I have mentioned before am a greedy traveler. I wanted to go to South of Spain and also wanted to go for the mountains. Even the friend who had invited was not sure if he is coming. So we finally decided to go with whatever comes our way.

Guess what it was finally? Serra da Estrela. Was it a good choice, we would know soon.

111 Years

Numbers are very special in our lives.
No wonder we calculate days, months and years to celebrate our birthdays, a friend's anniversary, for our salary day etc. The numbers have always surprised us, brings us luck and gives us memories for lifetime.

But today its not a friend's Birthday. It's the Anniversary of a Lift called Elevador de Santa Justa or Carmo lift in Lisbon, which completed 111 years. I have some very fond memories with this lift and the views from the top.

                                     

Am very surprised today for the coincidence. While I was thinking about the lift, it completes its 111 years.

In my walking tour in Lisbon, I have been to this Elevator twice. Once I had walked from Rua Agusta to the elevator and the other time I walked from the Carmo Square to check the view. Although, I never took this elevator as its very touristy. Ever since its inaugural it has been a great attraction between tourists. This is the only surviving vertical lift in Lisbon.

The hills of Lisbon have always thrown problems of commutation. Which is why we see lifts, funicular and trams in the city.

The elevator of Santa Justa was inaugurated on the 10th Of July 1902.This is a project of Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a native of Porto of French descent. He studied in France and is a contemporary of the great architect Gustave Effiel. The pioneer of Effiel Tower and other iron structures of that time.

111 years!!
How big is that? How different the city of Lisbon looked back then and now? How many people used it? We don't know but the time has all the answers.

THE ROAD RUNNER SHOW

The road runner show is supposed to be a cartoon series. Its all about running, where the Wile E Coyote(the bunny) runs after the road runner(a birdie).

However, this is nothing about that. This is about the introduction of our machine before we run the road.

So far it was between Lisbon and Sintra. Now that we hit the road, it is very important to show what picked me at the Lisbon portela Airport.

So ladies and gentlemen, here is something that needs no introduction.

Wait!! Before revealing the name it is almost unavoidable to mention, how it happen to us in Portugal. So while I was in Zurich, I was told by my friend that he is going to get a car for the time he is in Portugal and may be we drive to Spain. I was super excited. But its not about that. He went through the paper work with a Family friend. He was supposed to pick the car in the afternoon and then me later in the afternoon.

Then he receives a call, we are very sorry to inform you that we do not have the car you hired. Is it okay if you have another car as a replacement ? Unwillingly Jorge said, okay no problem.

So at their office, Jorge was walked to the garage and then to the car. Then the next thing was is this okay with you? He just nodded the head not to look too excited.

Later while driving to the airport and after when I saw the car, we both were, Yes!! This is it. Woooohooooo!!

It was a MINI for next 19 days in Portugal.

INDIAN DINNER IN LISBON

Even before going to Portugal, I had made many friends from Portugal. I always met Portuguese traveling around the world in Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Goa etc. They always been very hospitable and welcoming me to Portugal. Among them were Miguel, Cristina, Sandra and Catarina. Whom I met for the year end celebrations which I had combined with the Nomad group guided by my friend Jorge.

Goa is a great place to be when you are calling for celebrations. So the bonding developed instantly. Since then we always planned our dates to meet. When they heard, I have finally reached Lisbon, we decided to go for dinner. There were many ideas for where they want to take me from an Indian Thali in a temple to Goan Food. From Caracois(A delicacy in Portugal made out of snail mostly in summer) to Tandoori food. But the choices were getting narrowed at food from India. Where as I was up for more Portuguese Food and still did not say to respect their idea. So finally decided on the Goan Food. I really wanted to meet this guy who has inheritance from Goa and hates it when someone calls his food Indian food.

Jorge parked the Car some where around the Chiado as he wanted to show me something on the way. We walked, walked and climbed many steps to see the shop has been closed temporarily. Bolas said the Jorge, as we had informed everyone to arrive there. So we did not have a choice but wait there for others.

Once everyone arrived, while we were busy with the hugs, kisses and all this - that, Jorge found out another Indian restaurant called Bengaltandoori on his phone. Every body was excited as they all are a big fan of Garlic nan. However, as the name suggests, I was expecting more the food from eastern India. They all suggested that I could call and make a reservation.

Here I was in a city, where I wish to speak Portuguese. Totally in love with this language and the sweetness with which everybody around speaks. I am already speaking few words and that is not good enough to make a reservation. However when the name is BengalTandoori, may be they have Indian staff. The state of West Bengal is next to my state, I was boasting that I know more than four regional languages.

I called and someone answered in Portuguese. When I nervously spoke in Bangla, the other person responded and reserved a table for us.

Wooooooohooooooo!! I did it.

However to arrive there, we did not have any fish from Bengal. It was purely a North Indian food place. It did not matter much as its Indian food and they had Garlic Nan. I was in charge to make the order and I realised that there were no one speaking in Bangla. The guy made the reservation as he could guess the Bangla being acutely similar to Hindi. The food arrived and all were curious to know if the food really taste Indian.

Sorry my friends the food is very delicious. Its Indian. But its not Indian - Indian. I could notice it was polished a bit to cater European clients. So the big difference is in the curry which is not spicy. Ofcourse it was bit spicy but not as much to be North Indian food.

I have to mention here, the garlic butter nan was the best. May be its a better butter of Portugal or they added some sweet. I do not know. Its like eating Chinese in China Towns around the World.

With the delicious dinner and lots of discussions.We promised eachother to cross roads again here in Lisbon or in India.

Then good-bye in Portuguese style. Muito Obrigado...... Bejinhos.

SOME WORDS AND SOME PICTURES

PRAIA GRANDE, A Beach in Sintra

May # Strong Sun # What a Surprise # Drive # Beach # Sintra # Portugal # Surfers # Parking Full >

                                                                                                                            

Huge Beach # Cold Sea # Almost Empty # Life Saving Tubes >

 

 

Restaurants # Heat # Sweat # Pedras # Sun Glasses # Pictures # Bi- Cycles # Jet Plane >

Side Walks # Walkers # Fancy Pets # Sun Set # Gorgeous <3

MY FIRST TIME # 3

My first time # 3 goes back in past. It is my first Portuguese Poem.

O Rio da Minha Aldeia was not the first Portuguese poem, I heard. Although, it is also from the famous and timeless Poet, Fernando Pessoa. It is MAR PORTUGUES, which I heard from my friend Jorge long back in Kolkata.

MAR PORTUGUES (THE PORTUGUESE SEA)

It is a poem known and celebrated by every Portuguese with pride. So being in Portugal, meeting the Local people, visiting the monuments this is how I relate to the Poem :

The Belem Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, the river Tejo and every thing else in Portugal has one question to the salty sea. How much of your salt is tears of Portugal.

When the mariners left the land to find new lands, the mothers stayed behind crying. The children prayed for their return and the brides stayed at home unmarried as many never came back. You leave the eyes full of salt and go for the salty sea.

But was is it worthwhile ? There is a voice of self confirmation, yes everything is worthwhile for Human being full with infinite aspirations. There is an aspiration to go beyond the Cape Boujdour, to explore Africa, to find the sea route to India, to go far in the east and find what is east of east. To go even with all the pain of Portugal.

As this pain is the price for the glories, i.e to find Heaven.

THE STREET POETRY

Have you heard of Street Art ? Yes, many times isn't it.
But it was my first time to see the Street Poetry.

The path between the Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries has some poetry. All I have ever seen on a street are directions, hints, signs. Never saw a poetry. The one with an intense thought.

Its about the river which is a mystery, a beautiful river in a village unknown. But it finds itself in comparison to a famous river called Tagus(Tejo in Portuguese) which originates in Spain and falls in the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal.

The path is raising many curiosities with the poem, especially when its talking about a river more beautiful than the one flowing next to it.

                                                              O Rio da Minha Aldeia

(A poem by Alberto Caeiro, one of the names of Fernando Pessoa)

O Tejo é mais belo que o rio que corre pela minha aldeia,
Mas o Tejo não é mais belo que o rio que corre pela minha aldeia
Porque o Tejo não é o rio que corre pela minha aldeia.
O Tejo tem grandes navios
E navega nele ainda,
Para aqueles que veem em tudo o que lá não está,
A memória das naus.
O Tejo desce de (da)Espanha
E o Tejo entra no mar em Portugal.
Toda a gente sabe isso.
Mas poucos sabem qual é o rio da minha aldeia
E para onde ele vai
E donde ele vem.
E por isso, porque pertence a menos gente,
É mais livre e maior o rio da minha aldeia.
Pelo Tejo vai-se para o Mundo.
Para além do Tejo há a América
E a fortuna daqueles que a encontram.
Ninguém nunca pensou no que há(está) para além
Do rio da minha aldeia.
O rio da minha aldeia não faz pensar em nada.
Quem está ao pé dele está só ao pé dele.

The Poem is expressing the Poet's missing for the river in his village, which no one knows about. Every one knows the river Tejo, which is very beautiful but it is not more beautiful than the river that flows through the poet's village. The Tejo has big ships which sails.  The Tejo coming from Spain is falling to the ocean in Portugal. Everyone knows that. But no one knows where is the river in my village going and where it comes from. And as it belongs to very few, its free and its the largest.

No one knows whats beyond the river Tejo. No one has been to the other side of the river Tejo and seen the beautiful river of my village. Very curiously, I was thinking where is this beautiful river. Is it as beautiful or more for the Poet's nostalgia. I have to find out one day.

It is not always what we see. There is an experience beyond what we see. 

I have to go to the other side of the river Tejo.

KUKKAD KU ..... BOLLYWOOD

What a big coincidence!!

Today's bollywood movie is Ramaya Vastavaiya. A funny love story with Kukkad - Ku.
Yes there is a rooster, the portuguese symbol coming from a small place in north of Portugal. The name of this place is Barcelos.

In Portugal it is famosly know as "Galo de Barcelos"

THE WORLD IS NOT FLAT # 2

PART II : Discovery of the world.

The grand Monument left me very thoughtful for the entire afternoon. I saw it in the eyes of all the 33 personalities sculpted in the Monument. 

This monument explains both sides of each of the faces; the one which is motivated, aspirational, focused, determined to conquer new places, aims, lives and the other one which shows sadness, desperation, is lost for what they are living behind, what is ahead.

Many ships left the shore to sail for a reason, to sink in the storms, to stop for a new life on the way and to discover a new land. The land always raises a thirst, to find more and more. However the water which helps to find these lands is very wild. Many women and children stood here to adieu their love with a hope that they would come back.  

Some did, some died and some never came back.  

 In 1415, Ceuta was occupied, the 1498's discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco Da Gama, the 1500's accidental discovery of Brazil by Pedro Alvares Cabral, in 1511 Albuquerque found Malacca in Malaysia and 1542 saw arrival in Japan.

Again while walking away I felt its incredible for what I was playing with my imaginations. The boat with the Christ cross is banking on the 25th April bridge, which is leading to the Christ with the open arms. 

THE WORLD IS NOT FLAT #1

PART I : Discovery of the world.

The world is not a flat disc floating in the ocean was a fact for long time.
However, my next destination marked many Voyages to the exploration of the world and to prove that the world is one round sphere.

 It is called the Discovery Monument or Monument to the discoveries of the world. It was first made for the 1940 Portuguese Expo to felicitate the great Henry, the navigator who took great interests in the Voyages for explorations of new Land to trade in the 15th century. Later it was demolished to be made again.

My friend took me from the right face to the left to make me realise the concept behind the Architecture. Yes it is a boat. I did not research more on the Architecture but realised that it is a Boat with a Canvas tied to a pole looking like a cross which is pushing it further.

It also has a rose compass which is a gift from the Republic of South Africa mapping the world in its center with the Portuguese exploration.

The 6 euros lift took us to the top of the Monument where one falls in love with the city. The view of the beautiful 25th April bridge on the Tejo River, the Monastery, The rose compass, the hilly city is a huge experience.

Although the monument shows the positive aspects of the voyages, the pain and tears of some eyes cannot be forgot.

                                                                                                                                     To be Contd