Today was a travel day. We loaded the bus and took off for Evora with a stop in Monsaraz. On the way, Jesus pointed out cork and olive trees. The cork trees are harvested (think skinned) every 10 years. Wine corks but also purses, hats and wallets can be made out of cork. Debbie was not impressed until she got to touch a cork product and then became quite excited. She was able to fight back the urge to buy a purse at the truck stop when she saw the price and instead took pictures.
Our lunch stop was Monsaraz. It is high above the border plains, a tiny village, fortified and contained in a walled village. It has two main streets which some people insist on driving down. If you are a pedestrian and see a car turning down the street, our advice is to run. You feel a little like you are in a James Bond movie running down the street or throwing yourself against the wall. There is a Roman tower as proof that the Romans were once there that you can see as you run by.
A bullfighting ring exists that everyone checked out. We can’t figure out how you get any bulls up to the ring. Charlotte took a quick power nap outside the bullring. While only two streets, Debbie did manage to get lost for awhile until she discovered the group while running from a car.
The tour group decided that they could never storm the castle as they could not make it up the hill especially carrying any armor. We also had lamb and a lot of wine for lunch which may also contribute to not being able to make it up the hill.
I’m really enjoying your blog and your pictures.
Your post about Monsarz reminded me of one of my favorite kid’s book, Ferdanand. Did you ever read it? It’s about a bull that is brought from the country to the city to fight in one of those bull rings that you mentioned. He would rather sit under a cork tree and smell the flowers. Unfortunately a bee stings Ferdanand and he begins to buck and snort, looking more fierce than any of the other bulls and is chosen. The men are fearful but manage to load him into a wooden cart and take him into the center of town through some of those narrow streets that you talked about…..poor Ferdanand. In the end he is not the bull they thought he was and to the madador’s frustration, only sits in the center of the ring smelling all the flowers that the women are wearing.
It is beautifully illustrated and a fun read. It might be a fun one to share with Mia and Evie to help share your some of your travels. I think the boys might be too old by now….
Happy trails!