Portugalia

The school year of 1999-2000 I spent as an exchange student in Portugal. I lived with a portuguese family, went to high school and did my best in adapting to a new culture and way of life. The year was tough for me and the day I left for Iceland I thought to myself that I would probably never return.
Never say never. For some time now I have begun thinking that returning to Portugal would not be the worst idea. There were still some questions unanswered for me and I really wanted to see my foster sister which I had bonded with during my year. I felt that I was ready to go back.
But Portugal has not been a high travel priority for me so I thought that I would not happen.
Then my department planned a studytrip to Lisbon and I jumped at the oppertunity to be "forced" to return. It was great to go back and see people again. Great to see how tings have changed, some for the better and some for the worse and see Portugal in a slightly different light.

Here are my pictures:


On my way to Portugal I stopped in Brussels. Nice airport, strange slogans.



This is Diva one of TWO Big Danes owned by my foster family. This one is a little strange in the head and had to be tied up when I (or anyone else not from the family) was around. If not, she just may have eaten me.



Outside the Grandmother's house. Carmen walking and Grandmother cleaning the dog house.



Mmmmmm loooove this drink :) It's an energy drink without all the guarana and fake sugar that makes my head hurt. I can't tell you how many of those I actually drank during my year, but they kept me going!



Portugal seems to have gotten a recycle fever. These dumpsters are everywhere. Nice change from when I was there...



This is Carmen, one of my foster sisters :)



Typical view in smaller towns in Portugal. I came upon this fisherman in São Martino Do Porto, a town I spent about a week with my AFS friends shortly before we went home.



This is Tobias, Carla's dog. He is actually kinda nice :) for a dog...



In Caldas da Rainha, where I lived during my AFS year.



This is the park where I read many a book when I was supposed to be in school. I didn't like my school so I spent a lot of time in this park, reading and hanging out.



Pretty confused birds in the park.



Now we are in the main pedestrian street in Lisboa centre. Pretty place and nice stores.



Statue of some important guy. Can't remember his name.



This sight is very typical in Lisboa. I find it rather friendly to see all the clothes hanging from outside the buildings.



It doesn't seem to matter if the house is pretty like on the picture above, or just about to fall apart like on this one. It somehow looks very friendly and warm.



We were 14 girls and Lars (the teacher). Here we are at the Castle of Joao Jorge, and Lars is busy telling us all about it all.



This is me and Petja at an African restaurant chosen by Lars.



And as you can see from this picture, we would not have chosen this resaurant on our own. It looks like puke and the taste was not that far from it...



It was 20-24°C the whole time and my feet got very swollen and sore. At one point I had about 15 band aids on my feet. It hurt.



We stayed in the Alfama district. Some of the houses there are very beautiful and well restored, while others have seen better days. This house was close to our hostel. Somehow I really love these run down houses, it makes one think of what the house has been through during the years.



This is by the monument of the explores (built by fascists!!). There is a big map of the world on the ground just to show how the Portuguese once ruled the world (not anymore though!)



Some people really know how to enjoy the sun. I couln't resiste snapping a pic of this relaxed man.