How much information can we learn in one day? A whole lot apparently. We started the day with a walk from our dorm, through the park, across the river, and to the University which is about 15 minutes by foot. It was a nice way to start the day, although we all seemed a little moist when we got to our appointed building.
We started off meeting with members of the faculty and learning the equivalent of our N.C. State University and Extension programs. They are facing many of the same issues we are in North Carolina with gathering results from valid evaluation processes, marketing these results, and letting the world know the value of the programs that help people in rural as well as urban areas. They also have a shrinking agricultural base in this area (approximately 9% of the population in this area is farming which is down from 25% just 10 years ago). Although they do not have a 4-H program they are researching issues facing youth and they specifically mentioned teens to determine why their dropout rate is so high (approximately 30% drop out before finishing High School). There are other youth programs here based in the school and church. We are hoping to learn more about these programs in the upcoming days during our homestays.
After lunch we met with our hosts, Artur and Tim. They gave us a brief history lesson and statistics about Portugal. It is interesting to learn that the country is the size of the state of Indiana and has a population of ten million people. They also have a booming tourism business that brings in about ten million people a year for vacations. They explained that the country is currently facing a growing aging population and the issues that surround that like health care. They told us that it is complicated by the fact that many young people leave the area or even the country for work and are not here to help care for their aging parents which is putting the task on others.
After the discussion we had an introduction to Portuguese. We learned how to say many wonderful phrases, like good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. Not to mention, "where is the bathroom?", and "I am thirsty." Apparently Americans drink more fluids than the Portuguese. I had not noticed that until they said something and now that I look around, we seem to be the only ones with sodas and 1.5 liter bottles of water in our hands as we walk from one place to the next.
I must say we have all been having a wonderful time. Our hosts have been ever so gracious and we are learning a great deal of information. We are adjusting to not having air conditioning, however, several of us walked the few blocks to the new mall and bought fans to make it through the next few days and it is making things much more bearable. Tomorrow we will get to experience the Farmers´ Market and practice our new language skills. Although we do not have many photos from today we hope you will enjoy these and just know that we are all alive and well and filling our minds with great lessons.
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4 comments:
Sounds like ya'll are having fun. Air conditioning we seem to take forgranted. We don't know how good we have things until we get to a place that doesn't have some of the things we are a custom to having. Look forward to learning more about your adventures. Have fun and be safe. CYA and stay"KOOL".
from Macon County,
we are enjoying the stories and pictures, thank you so much and hope your havng lots of fun^^
love
julia and shelbie,
I am very excited about my host stay with Ilidio Mesqiuta who is a Catholic Deacon who resides in a small rural town 90 miles away from Vila Real. Cathy and I will be staying together in Torre De Moncorvo.
-Crystal
Portuguese is not an easy language to learn, especially if you learned Spanish first. I keep throwing in all my Spanish only to find out that it does not mean the same thing in Portuguese. Sometimes I get lucky and they mean the same thing in both languages. I have really bee`n surprised at how much Spanish that I remember from college.
Tim and Artur are the greatest! I don´t know how we would manage without them. They are so very patient with us when we ask them questions about the culture and social systems. I am glad that they both speak fluent English as do many other people here.
I am looking forward to the farmers market and learning more about local customs.
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