Sunday, October 25, 2009

24 HOURS FROM HOME


No, we don't have to cross this bridge to get home, but we did have to cross it to get to church Sunday.


You will notice that it looks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. That's because the same man built both bridges.


And the statue of Christ on the cross in the distance looks just like the one in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. That's because Brazil gave this statue to Portugal as a gift.


There's a long story behind this photo. See that little green car. Well, we got lost coming home from church Sunday. And to make a long story short (leaving out the half dozen people who weren't able to give us the right directions to get back to the bridge), we stopped at a gas station (only pumps with a money taker behind a glassed in booth) to get directions. There were thirty cars waiting for gas. We decided to ask the nice looking young couple with a little child for directions, but God directed my steps to a scruffy guy with pock marks instead. Low and behold, he was a Christian and actually led the way to the bridge for us to follow. Cathy calls him our little green angel.


Remember the photo last week with Cathy looking down the well top to the water storage below? Well, this is what she saw. LOL


The school principal (the guy to gives us all the work to do) took us out to Chili's one evening. It's the only place in Portugal where you get free refills on Coke.


And the Hard Rock Cafe is in Lisbon, but we didn't even think of going there.


This Chevrolet dealership is typical of car sales places. One man may own several store fronts, each holding maybe five or six cars. If there is enough parking outside, he may have a few used cars. Someone lives above the dealership.


This block of buildings houses government office and the Supreme Court.


An up-close photo of the entrance to the court house.


Cathy found an interesting place to rest her weary feet. These resting places are part plant/tree holders and part seats.


While visiting downtown Lisbon, we found Portugal's version of Subway (sub sandwiches). No refillable fountain coke like in the States. You just buy a can or a small cup of coke. The subs were very tasty.


We didn't eat here, but Cathy wanted her picture taken showing how much of the eateries have open air eating.


Roasted chestnuts, anyone?


Statue/monument honoring those who gave their life for freedom during the Big War. (World War II)


All these pictures are hand painted tiles. Really artistic. Double click to enlarge and see clearer.


These next three pictures are of your's truly. You can pass over these quickly.






In the evening, we can sit here and see all of Ramada, the city directly below us. And so as we bid good evening to the night, we bid you goodby with our personal blogs about our trip to Portugal. Of course there are more pictures on the Mission Blog site.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

You can click (or double click) on any picture to view full screen.


Vasco Da Gama Mall. Water runs over the glass top to look like an underwater mall. Done in theme with the worlds fair several years ago. Even the walk ways were built to look like waves.


The long road up to the Portugal's President's palace.


Guards keeping people out of the palace grounds.


Lifelike image of Saint Jeronimo in a glass enclosed "tomb."


Artwork lining Saint Jeronimo's Monastery Chapel.


Bill standing outside the huge gates to the monastery.


Tower of Belem where cannons protected the harbor to Lisbon.


Original lighthouse keeping ships from running around.


Monument in honor of Portuguese explorers who literally explored around the world. Notice the size of this monument.


Whoops. This should be above. This is the entire length of the Jeronimo Monastery.


Our bathroom here at the training center. The shower is 23" square.


Drive through to McDonalds.


Yours truly at the beach.


How would you like to make miniature boats all day long for a living?


The tourist shop where we bought all our gifts for our financial supporters.


This is a two way street, believe it or not.


Yours truly again.


Another Catholic church.


Cemetery right in town. This is the small city surrounded by walls that you saw in our Mission's blog.


Same city. Imagine being a serf protected by a "knight" or prince.


More pictures next Friday, the day before we leave for home.