Forty-eight

That's how many boards are in the ceiling, 48.

Higher Education

 Yesterday began with a very early morning arrival in Combria, Portugal.  We dawdled around at the local cafe until 7:30 and then we could drop our luggage off at the Hostal and then we began walking.    There is a lovely pedestrian bridge and at least two other bridges crossing the wide and lovely Mondego river.  The early morning humidity is palpable and the air temperature is comfortably cool which will not make up for later in the day when it is in the high 90s.

Organ

Much of Combria is built on the sides of a substantial hill with the university capping the top, truly higher education.  Though the university is not in session until next month we did see some students wearing the traditional ankle-length black capes.  Until about 1960 students were expected to wear their capes nearly all the time to distinguish them from the general populace though it reminds me of Hogwarts. Now the capes are just for special occasions.

Cork is Portugal and Portugal is cork.  So many items are available in cork (usually bonded to leather or fabric): purses, shoes, belts, postcards, hip flasks, etc. and I now have a cork belt.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are in season and delicious with many vendors to choose from in the alley-wide streets.  Pastries are everywhere and the classic recipes come from the many convents that were in this area during past centuries.  Churches are everywhere and though some are, in relative terms, plainer than others they are all amazingly beautiful.

The majority of churches use minimal artificial light unless mass is being held and the low light adds to the majesty of the many plaster and wood sculptures. While I was exiting from one of these churches, one near the onion market, I stepped into the white glare of the afternoon sun, from a comfortable temperature to perspiring in a second of time.  I also walked from a flat surface onto a  shallow step and went tumbling down.  Thankfully, nothing seemed amiss so we kept on and enjoyed more shops  and sights.  We eventually headed back to the Hostal for a much needed siesta and shower.

About 5 pm we joined up with our gastronomic tour.  As we walked from pastry shops to restaurants we learned some history more of the area's history.  My foot was aching more and more and I dccided  that continuing this tour was impossible.  Then a taxi to the hospital, 4 x-rays, and an ortho doc who told me that nothing was broken but I needed to stop walking for about 72 hours.  I am so glad that I walked around so much before this happened and Gary will have to take lots of photos while I stay
off my foot.

Ah, Portugal

And forty-eight?  That's the number of boards in the ceiling of our room in the Hostal.  I've counted them several times since I began resting my foot.  Next stop is Porto and I want to be walking well.