Portuguese Culture
Sé Velha Cathedral is Something Old While Sé Nova is Something “New”
At 900 years old, the Sé Velha cathedral is one of the oldest structures in modern-day Portugal. Likewise, Sé Nova is relatively new, being only 400 years old. The city of Coimbra, Portugal, is chock-full of history. It has been a pleasure to get to know some of that history. Take today, for example. A group I’m involved in, The Curious Knights of Coimbra, did an excursion to Sé Velha (old cathedral) and Sé Nova (new cathedral). Let me tell you about this fascinating history. Sé Velha, formally known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Coimbra The Cathedral The old cathedral dates from the 12th Century with the cloister…
The Legend of the Barcelos Rooster
If you travel to Portugal, you will find the Barcelos rooster in many places, especially in tourist shops. It’s a national symbol of Portugal. But how did a rooster become a symbol of Portugal and what is its meaning? The Barcelos Rooster Legend During the Middle Ages, a robbery was committed in the town of Barcelos in northern Portugal. There were no suspects to the crime. Around the same time, a pilgrim from Spain was traveling through the area. The townspeople suspected him of committing the crime despite the pilgrim’s pleas of innocence. He was arrested, brought before the judge, and convicted. When the pilgrim was about to be hanged,…
What is the Cost of Medication in Portugal?
Have you ever wondered what the cost of medication in Portugal is? I had heard it was much lower than in the United States, but I didn’t anticipate finding out just how much lower while on a scouting trip. While stuck in a hotel room in Lisbon because of Covid, I ran out of my medication. I had packed enough for our 8-day trip to Coimbra, but I did not anticipate getting Covid on this trip. My First Attempt at Getting Medications I have diabetes, depression, and thyroid issues. It’s important to stay on top of my medications and take them regularly. Unfortunately, I ran out. So I did what…
The People of Portugal
There is so much I learned while here in Portugal on a planning trip. I learned about the people of Portugal as well as places, culture, and food. But I also learned more about myself. I learned how much I love helping people. I learned how much I care passionately about community and what that means. The people of Portugal have reminded me that it is okay to care for me, that it is okay to care for even those you don’t know. They are just being themselves – nice, helpful, compassionate, inclusive to all people. All-Inclusive People of Portugal Portuguese people don’t separate themselves into groups as we do…
Halloween in Portugal: What Are the Traditions?
It’s that time of year again where the days are getting shorter, there’s a crisp chill in the air, and it’s harvest time for the crops. It’s also time to get ready for Halloween. Halloween in the United States In the United States, Halloween is a pretty big deal. It’s an American tradition. We celebrate with Halloween parties, and kids dress up in costumes to go door-to-door for trick or treating, begging for sweets, money, or whatever. Trick or treat, smell my feet,Give me something good to eat.If you don’t, I don’t care,I’ll pull down your underwear! I had forgotten that there was a second sentence to that trick-or-treat jingle. Did you know…
Azulejos: A Brief History of the Tiles of Portugal
Visitors to Portugal are apt to notice the stunning tiles around the country. They are decorative, they are historic, and they tell a story. And I would like to tell you a bit of that story now. When Did the Tiles First Appear in Portugal? Azulejos first appeared in Portugal back in the 13th Century when the Moors invaded the Iberian peninsula. The term “azulejo” comes from Arabic and means “small polished stone.” The first tiles were plain earth tones cut into simple geometric shapes. Originally, the tiles imitated Byzantine and Roman mosaics. Some of the earliest production of tiles was in Seville, Spain. Here, artisans glazed the tiles, cut…
Are You Looking for Kid-Friendly Activities in Coimbra?
Portugal is not totally different than living in the United States when it comes to entertaining yourself and your kids. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities to do for all ages. The difference is just about the pace of life and what you like to do. Similar Activities to Those in the U.S. Our family is moving to the Coimbra area in about a year and a half, and I have been doing some research on kid-friendly activities for our son. I’ve been looking for what kinds of things there are to do there. I found that there are a few things that we do here that we will also…
Who Else is Interested in Baseball in Portugal?
As a lifelong baseball fan, I was curious about baseball in Portugal. Is it played there? Is it a common sport? Will I be able to go to many games? Let me tell you what I found out. But first, allow me to talk about my interest in the sport. Looking Towards the Past – Growing Up with Baseball in the US I have always been a baseball fan. Beginning with T-ball at six years old, I grew up playing baseball. Other than one unassisted triple play I made, I was never really exceptional at playing. Oddly enough, I grew to love the game even more as a fan long…
Introducing the Candidates for Portugal’s 2021 Presidential Election
With today’s inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, my thoughts have turned to the upcoming presidential election in Portugal. This morning, as I was chatting with my friend Manuel in Portugal, I asked him about the presidential election this coming Sunday, 24 January 2021. My Conversation Today About the Presidential Election Knowing that Portugal has a multi-party political system, I asked Manuel how many parties are represented on Sunday’s ballot. He said that in a presidential election, the candidates are not voted by a party. Party affiliation is only considered for the elections to the Assembly of the Republic and for city elections. Despite that, he said,…
What Epiphany Means in Portugal: A Surprise to Me
What does Epiphany mean in Portugal, and how is it celebrated? The day the three Wise Men came to pay their respects to the baby Jesus is the end of the Christmas season. Epiphany is also called Twelfth Night. Some people believe that you should only take down your Christmas tree and decorations on Twelfth Night. Doing so early could be bad luck. If you forget, you should keep them up until Candlemas Day, February 2nd (which I have always just known as Groundhog’s Day). Perhaps this is why my luck has been not-so-good from time to time. I have always taken my tree and decorations down anytime on or…