Portuguese Language and Culture

(Today's entry is written by one of our NWC students on the trip, Stephanie)

Bom dia, good morning. Our team would like to give you another update about how things are going here J We have a very full schedule that is filled with language learning, music, sharing, exploring, traveling, and serving. Each day, we wake up and begin 2 hours of Portuguese language classes with Mena. She is the lovely woman in the picture who patiently helps us learn words for family, food, greetings, occupations, colors, and so on. She says that learning a new language can either be frustrating or fun, you choose! So we are having lots of fun trying to pronounce words like “os pintores” which is pronounced “oosh pintoodsh” and is how you say “a painter”. 

After language class, it is time for lunch. The meals here have taken some getting used to, but are delightfully healthy. First, soup is served with bread. Then, there is a meat/fish dish with rice and salad. Last, there is a dessert. We have been learning to pace ourselves so that we can make it through dessert without being extremely full.

Even though we are fed solid breakfast, lunch and dinner at the seminary, we still like to get out the café for a bica (small shot pictured above) or meiu de leite (coffee with cream). We get to go on a lot of walks too, taking in the refreshing air and soaking up a little sun. The guys play soccer at the park occasionally with locals.

Overall, we have been enjoying the 1^st week of our stay here in Portugal. A few of our team members even say they could see themselves living and working here!