Hi Gregory, I'm just a bit late with this comment - stuff happened.
I just loved coming along with you for a nice relaxing walk last week. It created lots of echoes for me : from the resemblance of the Ponte 25 de Abril to the Golden Gate, to juicy loquats that I ate in the hot sun right off the tree when I was a kid, to the link between the observatory there and the one at the Sorbonne (that I went to read more about through a link on the site from the one in the garden 👍) and also the creaky red tractor that reminded me of the one our old neighbor in the Dordogne used to plow his field behind us with several years ago.
Your lovely descriptions and photos helped me escape for a bit. Thanks!
Thanks, Kathy. I'm also a bit behind, as well, as you can see! I'm glad that my piece was able to conjure up so many pleasant memories! A bit of escape can be a lovely thing sometimes.
Wow, this is such a lovely piece of writing, with wonderful photos to match. Thank you so much for sharing this magical place. I'm so surprised it's as much of a secret as it is, and hope that it remains so.
I am entranced by the studies happening in there - bee pathology sounds amazing, as does the focus on keeping vineyards sustained and protected by solar technology. Imagine studying there: what a joy!
And the imagery conjured up by this sentence had me smiling and almost clapping along with the floral spectators: "These greet me like supporters along the route of a marathon as I make my rounds."
The dichotomy of North versus South, past versus future, nostalgia versus progress, is a really interesting one. I think you've hit on the fact that we (humanity) can make progress in real and sustainable ways by paying attention to what can be done in harmony with the land as opposed to razing the land and plundering its resources.
Even in a city.
Looking forward to more from your 'thinking walks'.
This post is wonderful--it felt like I was on a guided tour!
I've been thinking lately about how a country's relationship with their past and future can influence society. Europe as a whole seems to have a sort of placid certainty about its relationship with the future, but things are a bit more complicated in Southern European countries where lots of young people migrate out. It sounds like Portugal is in a lovely kind of untidy relationship with both: the decaying tractors can be seen as either renewal or carelessness, the university's work as grasping for relevance or the thrill of creation...that last was a bit too harsh I think, but anyway, interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing the piece!
Thanks, Rebecca. It's true that Portugal (possibly a bit like the Balkans) is a bit on the margins of Europe, and certainly has a complicated relationship to the past—not least for being a former colonial power.
Wow, I am trying to write something clever but just want to say what a lovely walk! It felt magical and very portuguese. This mix of decay and grandeur can be found in Coimbra as well. With its old university, the library, prison dungeon and then the old train station. A city very much worth visiting.
Thanks, Carina. I haven't spent much time in Coimbra, largely because I've just been waiting for a good reason to go. But maybe I will just decide to go at some point soon.
Consider the university library as well as the store selling hats for men a valid reason. You might not be a hat person but perhaps the old man if he is still alive selling the hats could be worth peeking into the shop for. 😊
The funny thing, Carina, is that I really like hats, even though I don’t think I look good in them. So maybe I will go and buy myself a hat from the old man in Coimbra. I will let you know!
It makes me very happy that it does, Paulo. And yes, I know the Jardim Botânico well. As an Ajuda resident, I can get in for free, so I frequently go there for walks. I'm good friends with the albino peacocks.
I very much enjoyed this walk with you Gregory. What a special secret, place!
I like the way you've taken us through the space with close looks at place, purpose, nature, and time.
The agrivoltaics are interesting. Seems like a very good idea, especially as the climate warms. The vines might get far too hot!
Thank you, Yasmin! I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I agree, the agrivoltaic project is quite intriguing!
Hi Gregory, I'm just a bit late with this comment - stuff happened.
I just loved coming along with you for a nice relaxing walk last week. It created lots of echoes for me : from the resemblance of the Ponte 25 de Abril to the Golden Gate, to juicy loquats that I ate in the hot sun right off the tree when I was a kid, to the link between the observatory there and the one at the Sorbonne (that I went to read more about through a link on the site from the one in the garden 👍) and also the creaky red tractor that reminded me of the one our old neighbor in the Dordogne used to plow his field behind us with several years ago.
Your lovely descriptions and photos helped me escape for a bit. Thanks!
Thanks, Kathy. I'm also a bit behind, as well, as you can see! I'm glad that my piece was able to conjure up so many pleasant memories! A bit of escape can be a lovely thing sometimes.
Yes, this post is a good escape for a bit, for sure, Kathy!
Thank you for this! I’m arriving in Lisbon today and will put this in my list, as it sounds amazing.
Wow, this is such a lovely piece of writing, with wonderful photos to match. Thank you so much for sharing this magical place. I'm so surprised it's as much of a secret as it is, and hope that it remains so.
I am entranced by the studies happening in there - bee pathology sounds amazing, as does the focus on keeping vineyards sustained and protected by solar technology. Imagine studying there: what a joy!
And the imagery conjured up by this sentence had me smiling and almost clapping along with the floral spectators: "These greet me like supporters along the route of a marathon as I make my rounds."
The dichotomy of North versus South, past versus future, nostalgia versus progress, is a really interesting one. I think you've hit on the fact that we (humanity) can make progress in real and sustainable ways by paying attention to what can be done in harmony with the land as opposed to razing the land and plundering its resources.
Even in a city.
Looking forward to more from your 'thinking walks'.
To quote an old American TV show: I want to go to there. (And maybe I soon will?)
This post is wonderful--it felt like I was on a guided tour!
I've been thinking lately about how a country's relationship with their past and future can influence society. Europe as a whole seems to have a sort of placid certainty about its relationship with the future, but things are a bit more complicated in Southern European countries where lots of young people migrate out. It sounds like Portugal is in a lovely kind of untidy relationship with both: the decaying tractors can be seen as either renewal or carelessness, the university's work as grasping for relevance or the thrill of creation...that last was a bit too harsh I think, but anyway, interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing the piece!
Thanks, Rebecca. It's true that Portugal (possibly a bit like the Balkans) is a bit on the margins of Europe, and certainly has a complicated relationship to the past—not least for being a former colonial power.
Fabulous place!
Fantastic post!
Thanks, John!
Wow, I am trying to write something clever but just want to say what a lovely walk! It felt magical and very portuguese. This mix of decay and grandeur can be found in Coimbra as well. With its old university, the library, prison dungeon and then the old train station. A city very much worth visiting.
Thanks, Carina. I haven't spent much time in Coimbra, largely because I've just been waiting for a good reason to go. But maybe I will just decide to go at some point soon.
Consider the university library as well as the store selling hats for men a valid reason. You might not be a hat person but perhaps the old man if he is still alive selling the hats could be worth peeking into the shop for. 😊
The funny thing, Carina, is that I really like hats, even though I don’t think I look good in them. So maybe I will go and buy myself a hat from the old man in Coimbra. I will let you know!
Yes, do that!
Loved this🩷-
"Tudo vale a pena quando a alma não é pequena."
I’m so glad, Janine!
I feel refreshed and peaceful after reading this on balcony overlooking a busy road in Đà Nẵng. Thank you for taking me on this walk with you.
Thank you for coming along, Jan!
Hard to believe that something like that exist so close, isn't it?
Already found the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda? Is also close and yet, so far away.
It makes me very happy that it does, Paulo. And yes, I know the Jardim Botânico well. As an Ajuda resident, I can get in for free, so I frequently go there for walks. I'm good friends with the albino peacocks.
Thank you! I will try to visit here sometime 😊
You're welcome. I hope you'll enjoy it, Elaine!
A lovely stroll! I enjoyed the thoughtful themes for this essay.
I'm very pleased that you enjoyed it, Sue.
Another reason to love Lisbon!
Never enough! Thanks, David.
Lovely words and images.
Thank you, Justine!
I LOVE this piece of writing, Gregory!
(and also did not know that the Tapada da Ajuda was publicly accessible, so as a bonus you have satisfied my curiosity)
Thank you for the stroll.
Thank you, Caroline! I am so glad you liked it. 🙏