Communities, Infirmities

On Saturday May 24 we went to the Braga Romana festival in the nearby city of Braga with our friends Maayan and Dan.  Most of the historic old town is converted into stages and booths with an ancient Roman theme, in keeping with the ancient heritage of the city.  We mostly strolled around, appreciating the costumes, the still-existing Roman ruins, and the vendors, and listened a little to a performance of Roman music.  It sounded so ancient, and reminded us of the vast expanse of time that Braga has seen.

Braga Romana street scene

And another

The following day we learned that the daughter of a friend was performing with her ballet class at the Ponte de Lima Science, Technology, and Education fair which was wrapping up that day.  So that afternoon we headed down to the ExpoLima center, where we had been for the loureiro wine fair a week or so earlier, and enjoyed the performance.  It was so moving to watch all those kids, aged about 8 through high school, in their beautiful costumes, performing the dances they had worked so long and hard on.  We loved all of it, from the fresh-faced little kids up through the grown ones.  We were happy, proud, and choked up to be there applauding for them.  

This was just another example of how close-knit the community is here, how everyone supports everyone else, and how there are festivals, parades, spectacles, and gatherings all the time.  Maybe we would have found this in the US too if we'd looked for it, but here it seems such a part of daily life.  The Science, Technology, and Education fair was really interesting too.  We wandered up and down the aisles after the ballet performance, impressed with the booths, and we had fun watching the obstacle course and the zip-line outside too.

Zip line

Rock climbing wall (with safety rope)

Obstacle course

The weather has gotten quite hot and clear here at the end of May, up to about 32 C (90 F).  Gerrit clambered back onto the roof to start patching the leaks in the skylights we found during the last rainy period.

Pat has tried her hand at pastel de nata now, that legendary Portuguese pastry which we raved about here.  It was wonderful!  Her custard and pastry were first class and worthy of Manteigaria. We will be bringing some to a pot-luck dinner coming up here in a few days (at Maayan's, who had gifted the pastry cups to Pat, so that's fitting.)

On May 29 we had a lift technician out to move the lift control box out of sight.  (When Gerrit originally told them where to put it he was not paying attention to aesthetics.)  The tech was a gentle and soft-spoken man and did a careful, good job.  He spoke only Portuguese, so Gerrit got a little opportunity to try out his language with him.

An aluminum patio chair broke, so we took it out to the metal fabricators who had built and installed our railings.  They re-welded it while we waited and chatted with the wife of the owner.  Total repair cost: 5 € ($5.67).  You start developing a real bond with people when you bring them business and referrals, treat them with respect and appreciate their work, and they are more than fair and friendly with you in return.  We're developing a list of go-to places like this, and building new friendships in the process.

Gung Ho Gerrit overdid it on the rowing machine, hyperextending his left knee with very painful results.  The pain came on gradually, as it can do in these cases, and now he can barely walk.  Time for a helping of RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  Just when there is so much to do outside!

And Pat is suffering from an allergic reaction to Portuguese mosquitoes.  Their bites swell and weep, even without her touching them (which is agonizing since they itch so badly).  They got her on the cheek, nose, and chin here.  A nurse has recommended an over-the-counter cream which we'll look for today, along with a compression bandage for Gerrit.

(As usual, you can click on any photo to enlarge it, scroll through them all, and click outside a photo when you're done.  Also, you can click on the bold underlined phrases to play the audio.)

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