We're Fine!

You are not going to believe all that has happened in a 24 hour period and all the interesting things there are to learn about in this country. We are staying with Ellen and her family in Braga. We started our day by taking a little walk...okay maybe that is a small understatement. You could say we immersed ourselves in the Portuguese Healthy Lifestyles and Citizenship initiatives by traveling to Geres to follow in the path of the Romans on a road that is more than 2,000 years old. The three and a half mile hike took us to a mountain range that acts as a border between Portugal and Spain. We also had the opportunity to see authentic Roman markers, and see a lake that has an abandoned city in its depths. The lake is part of a hydro-electric plant now. As our host Ellen pointed out the road has deteriorated over the last 2,000 years, as we found ourselves crab walking between rocks to get down the face of the mountain.
Our hike took us through a nearby village where we were able to see a type of grape vine that is as tall as a tree and grows across wires hung between houses over roads and the residents have to use ladders to pick the grapes. Our hosts told us that the reason for this is so that people can plant other vegetables under the grape vines and make the most of the small space they have.
It took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to hike the trail that was supposed to take 3 hours and 15 minutes. As you can see from the photos some areas were easier to get through then others. Jennifer and I were pleased to finish the trail and even happier that we did not fall while doing it. Although I am still not thrilled with the thought of being at the bottom of a hill and having to go up.
Linda stayed behind to study at the museum. She learned about different agricultural practices and the glaciers that formed the rocks in this area. She began looking at the photos we took and was able to identify much of it from what she saw in their museum.
After our hike we were treated to a very special family lunch. We went to Ellen's parent's home and dined on a traditional meal that included soup, Russian salad (very much like potato salad except with several vegetables, fresh hard boiled eggs and homemade mayonnaise), sausage, pork belly, and chicken. The food was incredible but I think what impressed us more was the sense of family here and that they so readily included us in this family meal. It made it a very special and enjoyable meal for all of us.
After relaxing a little we traveled back to Braga and headed to a nearby Cathedral. Like so many others in this country the sense of history surrounding the church is incredible. We had a choice to walk up more than 800 steps to the chapel or take a cable car powered by water. My legs informed me that up, was still not a good thing (and I don't think I was the only one) so we took the cable car up. It was incredible.
After the tour we went to Virginia's home and enjoyed a home cooked meal with her family. The people here have been so hospitable. It was just so comfortable to sit down in their home and talk about dozens of topics with her and her husband like we have been friends for years.
Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to see Guimaraes, which is considered the birth place of Portugal, as we go to the ADCL and see how they address youth issues in this country. We hope everyone else is having as wonderful and educational of a time as we are and we can't wait to hear what they are up to.