Trip To Portugal!
Day 1, arriving to Portugal
As my flight took off and descended off in the air I started to
feel home sick after awhile. I tried to ignore it and focus on the
magnificent view of the Tangus river which crosses from east to
west. Also, the view of Estrela, the highest mountain in Portugal
was beautiful. I also arrived during summer, so I noticed it was
generally warm and dry. I also noticed that Portugal’s relative
location is Spain.
Day 2
I could not believe my eyes, the president of Portugal, Anibal Antonio
Cavaco Silvia was waiting for me to give me a tour of the city, Lisbon. Which
was the capital of Portugal. As we drove in a limousine, he told me a little
about the economy and the government. He said that Portugal is divided
into 18 districts and they all have their own governor. He said that today in
Portugal unemployment percent is high and the biggest problem they are
facing is the state of government. Portugal uses Euros. He also said that
they exports various products. Such as clothing, food products, motor
vehicles, and petroleum products. Then I asked him his relationship with
The Untied States and he said the defense relationship between the United
States and Portugal is excellent. Portugal has a Parliamentary Republic. Also,
Portugal is a part of the European Union and that their head Government is
president As we got of the limousine and into a museums. The tour guide,
Cezar, told us they language spoken in Portugal, which is Portuguese. Also,
he told us about some holidays and arts, The golden age of Portuguese art
started around the 1400's, about the same time that the country became a
world power. It lasted until the 1600's. The art of the golden age was
influenced by a Catholic Church, the royalty, and the Portuguese love of the
sea. I went home to sleep and await the next day!
Day 3
I had a Portuguese friend in Portugal so I went to hang out
with him. History was the topic we were talking about. According to
him, the major events that have accrued in their history is that in
1000 B.C phoenicians established settlements in what they call now,
Portugal. I asked him if Portugal was an independent country, so he
said in 1143n Portugal became an independent nation. In 1580
Pedro Alvares Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal. Though, later on
they lost its colony of brazil in 1822. He said that Spain invaded and
conquered Portugal in 1580. Also, Portugal became a part of the
European Union in 1986.
Day 4
My friend invited me to his how for lunch and play sports
later on. We had a traditional Portuguese food called Caldo
Verde, Feijoada, and Arroz Doce. It was so good! Afterwards we
prayed because his family was Roman Catholic, same with most
other Portuguese people. Then we played some common
Portuguese sports such as Football/Soccer, Athletics, Rugby
Union, and I wish we could of gone canoeing. My friend told me
that most Portuguese people play Soccer for fun and to relax.
Then he told me two very famous soccer players, Deco and
Cristiano Ronaldo. Then he told me some Portuguese holidays,
Portugal day, Portuguese Restoration War, and the Carnation
Revolution.
Going home
• Even though it was a short trip I learned so much, I hope I get
to go there again, and now I shall sleep and wake up in The
Untied States!