Freedom Day!

Today is a National Portugese holiday.....Freedom Day! After 5 decades of dictatorship (1937 - 1974), in 1974, the Carnation Revolution, which was a bloodless military coup with civilian support, brought democracy to Portugal. Every year, on April 25, they celebrate the freedom they acquired.

We were having a deliciously slow morning when we heard a marching-type band strike up a chorus!! Looking out our balcony, we could see the flag raising ceremony starting, so we, literally, booted it out to the central square and got there just on time to watch them begin their march up our street, led by the military honour guard! If we had been just 5 minutes later, we could have had the very best view of the procession from our balcony!!

Oh well, we were armed with tea/coffee and pastries (which we had bought the evening before) so we went to the main stage area (in the garden square) and had our 'breakfast' in the park. It was a beautiful sunny morning with just the right blend of fresh-crispness, sunshiny-warmth and a gentle breeze! The crafters' booths were opening....a couple of aerobics classes were being led.....a kids soccer game was being played and then an AMAZING intergenerational, Portuguese ethnic dance troupe entertained us for over an hour! On stage, they had 3 accordion players (my bros!!) and 2 triangle bell musicians, a caller (similar to square dancing) and 3 female singers. On the ground, there were the dancers who, in the blazing hot sun, kept up a gruelling pace and never missed a beat as a group!! Their costumes were very heavy and hot......you can see from the pictures I will post, but what you won't see is that under the ladies skirts are petticoat layers, bloomers, heavy socks and boots! We actually do not know how they coped because it was so hot.....they did not even stop long enough to get rehydrated!! One of their dances was similar to the Kolamayka, which was really fun to see! They also had a very lengthy audience participation dance, which was fun to watch! It was really a great, proud performance!

Our day entailed mostly people-watching, reading in the park, a 2 hr siesta in our apartment and another tasty, inexpensive (great) East Indian supper meal, at the little off-the-main-track restaurant we found when we first got here, 2 wks ago.

We soooo enjoyed watching these cute kids enjoy their ice cream!

I love this picture of this grandpa with his granddaughter!!

This evening, there was a great outdoor, main stage concert featuring a 6 piece band. It was to start at 9:30 PM 'Portugal time'.....meaning the band started arriving at 9:30 and the concert came to a gradual start about 20 minutes later!! Nothing here, happens quickly or with a stress-based urgent intensity! People stroll....they stop to talk to each other, whether it is in line at a store, in a cafe or on the street.....they don't drive crazy ...they don't jay walk to get somewhere quickly, they go to the cross walks....and service at restaurants is relaxed and friendly. It is really wonderful to experience.....you can't help but feel yourself become slower, because of this enveloping attitude and energy!

The 6 member band...they were really, really good! (Unfortunately, we did not get their name.)

The night ambiance in the park as the concert was getting ready to start.

The moon looks close to being full....here is a night photo from the bridge, walking into the garden square as we returned from supper.

Once again, tonight, after the concert was over, we crossed paths with the lovely, young Australian couple, we met yesterday! They are so friendly, adventurous and full of life! They are about the ages of our children and we absolutely appreciate the vibrancy and energy they exude! When we see them, it feels like we have known them for a long time, even though we have only had 3 conversations, in chance meetings! Tonight we learned their names and they let me take their picture so we can always remember how much we enjoyed our connections with them. Here is friendly Anna and Rob......(they make a great couple!!).......

The holiday festivities continue, in Tavira, all weekend, which will mean more concerts and activities in the Garden Square! We have so many options for things we want to do tomorrow so, I guess we'll just wake up and see what direction the wind will be blowing! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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