Below is my report I emailed my family when I first came back from Lisbon. Its hard not too sound like yet another glowing travel guide account. However, There is something more that made this trip unique for me. I must talk about the experience of being in Portuguese society. I'm not a world traveler, but I have been to Chicago repeatedly, New York several times, and London-Paris-Rome-ect. once. Usually being in a large city is an exciting, but guarded experience for me --- just trying to be cautious especially in our aggressive American cities and in cities where I am obviously a stranger. I never felt such a necessary sense of caution in Lisbon and in Portugal. I never felt like a clumsy tourist -- or if I was clumsy, I felt forgiven. I loved the harmony I felt with the people, a kind of peace and order I just do not often feel here in the states. I'm sure there are issues that would become more apparent over time, but my impressions were that Portuguese individuals and families love their country and their society and work together to maintain this peace. I'm kind of a harmony junkie, which is not always possible in our more cynical and individualistic american society and that's okay. I know that we can't "just all get along". But I really loved experiencing all aspects, from Rita's I-won't-take-any-guff-yet-I-won't-lose-it grace while she juggled multiple complex scheduling issues, and the entire Portugal comittee's teamwork ---- to watching moms, dads and kids all obviously enjoying the outdoor concerts in the square (no squalling kids, angry gangs of teenagers or bickering adults at least where I was standing)--well this was a real treat for me. ************************************ More glowing report below. We started in Lisbon for two days early--met another Guild member who also came early--and tramped around the main drag of the historic part of the city. Decorated paved sidewalks, treelined avenues, statues and panoramic views of the 18th century whitewashed homes with red tiled roofs and the beautiful cathedrals, theaters and historic buildings. We had such fun adjusting to the money and customs and the way the hotels work. The service in the hotels was excellent, breakfast in the dining room or in your room; always lots of bread, fruit, and cheese. The hotels had laundry service, we really enjoyed putting our clothes in the special bag and coming back to clean pressed pants and shirts waiting folded on the bed. You had to eat lunch between 12:00pm and 2:00pm. The hotels had fine restaurants. All shops, restaurants and even the university closed from 2:00pm to 5:00pm for siesta. Dinner had to be eaten between 7:00pm and midnight. Surprisingly, we adjusted to this schedule just fine, even with the six hour time difference. The restaurants are such fun. They follow the tradition of 5 course meals. We always had several waiters serving each table; bread and cheeses and sometimes little appetizers are always put on the tables right away after you order. The food is a bit heavy with a lot of casserole style dishes; lots of seafood, garlic and coriander and very salty, but in a savory kind of way. After your main course of fish or pork, etc. you are expected to have either fruit and cheese or dessert, and coffee and dessert wines--and sometimes we did! Dinner can take hours! Slow food! There is no fast food in Portugal . Desserts were wonderful, lots of flan and custard style dishes with fruit or ice cream. This all sounds very heavy, but with the amount of walking we did--3-5+ miles everyday--we had no problems digesting. We went to a beautiful beach and studied tide pools and geology, had lunch at the coast on sheer cliffs, drove through mountains, were guided through fortresses and castles and ancient neighborhoods, studied architecture, viewed agricultural areas, and had an exquisite trip riding on ancient fishing boats along the river. It was very HOT in Evora, dangerously so. Very dry heat! In the high 80s and low 90s. It was not a good idea to get caught trying to walk around in the middle of the afternoon, especially when everything is closed. A few members had some troubles, but we were warned. We had a headquarters room at the university where we could hang out and drink coffee and water and just talk with others until things cooled off. All the streets and sidewalks are cobblestones and narrow and up and down hills, narrow twists and turns--and you share the narrow streets with drivers who careen around at very fast speeds. Parts of Europe are just not set up very well for disabled travelers or for vegetarians. We traveled back to Lisbon and started the evening with a trip to the American Ambassador's home; a wonderful cocktail party in her garden. She spent time talking to all of us about what its like to live in Portugal, she had previously been the ambassador for Ireland. We spent one day at a fabulous oceanarium and another day walking through the historic sections of Lisbon. We finished our stay with the banquet at a castle on top if a high hill right in the heart of the city. Spectacular views of the river and the whole city at night! We had a seven course meal and speeches and awards given. I had to announce the winners of the exhibit awards and had much difficulty pronouncing the Portuguese names ( I didn't have time to practice)--but they seemed to forgive me. There was a Queen Amelia in Portuguese history, (1800s, she apparently helped eleviate a tuberculosus epidemic in Lisbon). I certainly felt like royalty while I was there. Amy -- Amelia Janes--GNSI membership secretary Wisconsin Cartographers' Guild / Midwest Educational Graphics 6 Lyons Circle Madison, WI 53704 608-244-1486 fax 608-244-3889 [log in to unmask]