THE DEEP ROOTS OF PORTUGAL

Here I leave you some pictures of Portugal!
Every day that passes I realize how beautiful my country is and how I fear for its future.
I pass an average of 2-3 months in this great country and although I am always amazed by the developments I encounter when I return... there are things that never change and that will determine the future of this ancient country.
I hope we can survive. I hope portuguese are given an opportunity to grow in a sustainable way. I hope our people realize that what they do every day determines the success of this society.
As a portuguese citizen I care for this place deeply, and because I see it from the outside my views will always be partial and a comparison with other realities. Even so, I would like to have a place in Portugal, to find my own opportunity. Who knows? One day I would like to work in my country and help build a better future for Portugal and Europe.



São Jorge Castle, Lisbon - Trás-os-Montes
Donkey:
Theses animals have been used by farmers for centuries. Now they are facing extinction due to the industrialization of farming and the abandonement of the traditional methods. Plus, the interior of Portugal is becoming a real desert and the population continues to be concentrated by the coast, where most cities are located. Let us hope that traditions are maintained and these beutiful and smart animals continue to exist.



Porto:
On the way to the Port wine cellars in Gaia, on the other side of the river, a quick stop to watch the best view of Porto.
Porto is one of the oldest cities of Portugal. It started as a small gathering that was already present before the arrival of the Romans in the Iberian Peninsula. Today it is the second biggest city in Portugal and one of the most beautiful and friendly, in Licita's opinion, of course. I considered it to be a city that has the feeling of a village, where people know each other and try to help you in any way they can, even if you didn't ask for help. Traditional, dark and filled with loud voices... Porto is a great place to walk around.
The boats seen in the picture were once used to transport the wine from the wineries upstream on the Douro River, to Porto, where it is still stored in oak caskets for up to 6 years before it is bottled. Most Port wines are desert wines, to be used after meals with cheeses or nuts.
Port wine comes from Portugal... not from Australia or California. It is made in a certain way, in a certain region, with specific requirements, and in the world's first demarcated region. So, if you ever drink Port wine, please drink portuguese Port wine.



The portuguese flag:
Ok, I just wanted to have a picture by the flag of my country! Founded in 1143 it is one of the oldest countries in Europe and with a million different influences from several ancient civilizations:from Vikings to Romans, from the Fenicians to the Muslims.
This picture was taken at the São Jorge Castle in Lisbon! here you have incredible views of Lisbon and you are just a few steps from Alfama, an old neighborhood with rows of typical little white houses devided by narrrow streets and staircases, laundry hanging from the windows and fado music coming from the open houses.
This trip was great! I got to know our capital better... I confess I never paid much attention to it. But it is a great city... although too big for my standards! I am not really a big fan of cities, crouded and noisy places.



2 pictures of the demarcated region of Douro... the region where Port wine is produced. The mountains are covered with little human made terraces that hold the precious vines! All the picking of the grapes is made by hand and the filled baskets are then carried on the backs of locals.
A beautiful region and one of the poorest in the country... also where the donkeys are from.