As most of you know 4-H Agents are all about some hands-on educational programs and today we got to experience it Portuguese style. Most of us took the traditional 15 minute walk to the University practicing a traditional healthy lifestyles curriculum. Folks here walk whenever possible, which would explain why everyone is so thin when they eat as much as we have this week. After our walk we took a tour of the city of Vila Real. On our walking tour we saw artisans at work, and learned the history and culture of the area. As we were walking by a volunteer fire station the firefighters invited us in for a tour. They also showed us two antique emergency vehicles that were made in Detroit.
The most exciting part of the day was our visit to the farmers' market. Here was everything from spices, to root vegetables, flowers, to large gourds that we are told are like squash (but they look like a big green pumpkin to most of us). While we were learning about the inner workings of the farmers´ market and speaking with the farmers about their wares (with the kind help of Artur and Tim), we ran across two youth who have the savvy of 4-H members. Joa (John) and Anna
gave a fastening presentation on string beans. Although we have no idea what they said, or even if it was correct we were so impressed with their communication and entrepreneurial skills that Angela and Cathy quickly indoctrinated them into 4-H giving them each a special pin that has both the North Carolina state flag and Portugal national flag crossed with a 4-H clover between them. Although they are not official members yet, they will be when we get the membership form translated and filled out by their families. Imagine our first Portuguese 4-H members and we found them at the farmers´ market...that seems most appropriate doesn´t it.Linda met a woman practically giving away her products. When prompted she told the story that her husband had passed away and her child had moved away to become a lawyer. She said that she had trees full of apples and was unable to pick them all so she was trying to just get rid of them so they would not spoil. According to our hosts, Tim and Artur this is a common story among agricultural families and one of the reasons for the strong down trend in agriculture over the last few years. After telling her story and giving us fresh fruit, Linda pinned the woman. She was so touched by the thoughtfulness of the gesture that she began to cry and kiss Linda on both cheeks.
The bottom floor of the farmers´market was comprised of a series of meat, cheese, wine, and fish stores. Fresh wares could be found everywhere as well as some local favorites like salted cod, sardines, and rabbit quarters.
After our tour of the market we stopped at a couple of local artisan stores for gifts to bring home. We were adopted by one family store, where we learned that the son came home to help his father with the family business. They make tin items such as olive oil pitchers, lanterns, and punched tin. If it had not been for this man coming home it would have been almost impossible for his father to carry on the business he built. We have included their photos on today's slide show.
Our afternoon session, after our brisk walk back, we learned about NGO's or this country's version of a non-profit organization. The similarities are interesting as well as the differences. We will get to learn more during our home stays that start tomorrow night. Linda, Jennifer, and I will be with an NGO that works with youth and youth development not far from Vila Real. Barbra, Erin, and Angela will be going to a town about 50 miles from where we are now to experience their NGO. Cathy and Crystal will be going with a Deacon who works with two major NGO's that are about 90 miles away. Reba and Patrica are headed off with a former student of our hosts and his wife to experience their NGO. We plan to learn as much as we can about our hosts organizations and educate them on 4-H and how we are addressing similar social issues in our counties and state.
We are not sure of Internet access at this point from our various home stays. So please know if it takes awhile for something new to be posted it could be due to technical difficulties, but the moment I get back to Vila Real on Tuesday, we will fill you in on all the details so you don't miss a thing.
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2 comments:
Today was a fantastic day! We learned so much about the Portuguese culture and customs. The farmers market was a great experience. I got to speak with Jao and Anna to learn a little bit about them. They were helping their grandmothers sell vegetables and fruits in the market. There were so many varieties of produce and meat there. Everything seemed very fresh. I wish that we were able to have access to food this fresh in the US.
The family business that we visited was a unique blend of the old and the new. The parents were marketing their products as they always have while the son was doing his own brand of marketing. The son spoke a little bit of English and was able to tell us that he was the first person to receive a diploma in tin artistry while his father was the second. They were both proud of this fact. The son shared his business card and website with us as well as full color marketing materials. His parents relied on personal relationships and made sure that we knew all about how the different tin and pottery vessels are used. They all worked together for the betterment of the family unit.
This afternoon, I learned that I will be in Vouzela, a rural city about 50 miles outside of Vila Real for my home stay. I am excited about learning more about the local development association there. Hopefully we will be able to blog about it when we return.
It is very interesting to read all of the experiences. I am happy you all are getting the chance. I am jealous! But don't worry, I have several HS students in Leland, NC that are giving me lots of experiences the first week of school I am sure not to soon forget myself, lol!
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