My
idea of Portugal was made of the Fado, the country’s traditional musical
expression, fresh cod dishes, spies at every corner – (I do admit to having
watched too many spy movies where they lurked in the dense fog in the middle of
the night especially during the Second World War). I also wanted to hear the Portuguese language
as spoken by the locals and test my ability to understand some of it.
I
wasn’t disappointed at all during my first visit there. Although Portugal has now become a modern
country with radical but effective strategies to deal with the global financial
crisis, unemployment and the country’s drug use to name a few pressing issues,
it has still retained its identity and what makes it such a unique place.
I
listened to Fado, ate some cod, climbed the famous funicular and wandered the
streets. The smells, the sights, the
sounds and the friendly people made my short stay there a most enjoyable
experience. I will return there sometime
to discover more of what this fabulous place has to offer.
Yours
in Travel
Daniel Abad
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