ON PORTUGAL & TRAVELING

After a month of traveling and leaving Portugal, I figured I´d change the plot here for a moment and spew forth a few of my thoughts thus far instead of telling what I´ve been doing. So here goes....

Futbol in Portugal: For people in the US it is be a bit difficult to understand the scope of futbol in Portugal, and many other places in the world for that matter, but I´ll give it a shot. Consider: its the only sport that matters, football, basketball, baseball, and hockey in one; tournaments are held only every four years; a country has to qualify just to make the tournament; you complete against other countries that in the recent past have demolished or occupied your country; the whole country cares, not just some. Its just impossible to compare the scene in Portugal, with the Portuguese and other country´s supporters, with any sport in the US.

Victory Celebrations: Massive amounts of people in the streets following each of the last three Portugal victories. Probably half the country is out in public I would guess. And no riots, no looting, no drunken escapades, and for that matter, hardly any police to be seen. Quite a contrast from the demolition and destruction occuring in any city that wins a championship in the US.

Portugal V Spain: Never knew that Portugal had such a deep rooted dislike for Spain. Something like Ireland England I guess. When I made an attempt at communicating in Spanish, it wasn´t well received. So needless to say they were a bit happy to send Spain home in the tourny.

Coffee: Coffee in Portugal (and much of europe for that matter) is to coffee in the US as vodka is to beer.

Economy: Much of Portugal is still a second world economy at best. Farmers working in their own small fields, taking the crops to a market, etc. Jobs there are hard to come by and most uni students dont have many options in their fields upon graduation. Apparently for teachers there is a 5 year backlog before one can get a job.

Perception of US: Of course I get asked all too often about the GW Bush, Iraq, etc. And 90% of those I´ve talked to, from Portugal and other countries, have a very negative view of US politics and policies. Of those, I´d only about a third have a decent perspective and level of knowledge to support their views. The rest only know the headlines and little more. Most are interested to know what someone from the US thinks, and if its like what they hear. Only a few carried their views on such things into disliking American people.

Traveling alone: The first 8 days or so I bounced around too much, one night here, two there, always on the go. No more of that. I´ve resolved to try to spend at least 4 days wherever I go, a bit of stability is a good thing and you get a better perspective of a place and people. The biggest downfall thus far to traveling alone is that, despite the countless number of people I´ve met and good times had, most days start back at square one, as the people you meet come and go.

My budget: Everythings on track despite the debacle with the camera. Its some good work to save a euro here and there then go blwo a few hundred by being stupid like that. Thus far, leading expenditures are, in order, lodging, food, entertainment, Euro tix, transportation.

Am up in Santiago de Compostela at the moment. Its the destination on the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgramage of the Apostle Santiago from around 800AD or so, that, of course I never heard about before coming here. Will be here for a few then probably out towards the coast for a few. The south of Spain a bit roasty, with highs up to 48C, so am in no hurry to get down there.