From the moment we left the airport, it was immediate that not only is Portugal enriched with beauty and culture, but its architecture is also. It is almost a week now since our arrival, and we have been shown so much history involving the architecture of buildings and the significance it stands to the people of Portugal. We have also gotten to learn the business perspectives of a couple of main industries that operate in this country. This is my first time traveling across the ocean, and I am happy I hopped on the opportunity to explore this beautiful country.
Lots of walking and lots of uphill, but there is so much land to this country it is mesmerizing. There are different types of trees and flowers that grow. A castle resides at the top of the hill of Lisbon and traveling to Sintra there are just acres and acres of trees and land stretching across near the water. One of the main industries in Portugal is Cork. We were able to visit a Cork farm where the owner details his business perspective of co-existing with the trees and the plants. I really liked hearing his take on sustaining the land that provides us oxygen and not destroying it to meet the demands of overconsumption. We also visited another industry, Olive Oil. The owner of this farm described the process and time it takes into making it, and we got to taste test his world champion oil!
Although the champion oil had a bitter taste, the food here has been an experience. If you are not a seafood person, understand coming to Portugal means being open because a lot of their main dishes include seafood. I am not a big fan of seafood, but my favorite treat so far has been their codfish cake. HIGHLY recommend! I?ve never feared with my sweet tooth because at every corner near our hotel there are pastry shops with gelato, macaroons, or a new favorite of mine, pastel de nata. We all actually got the chance to make and bake our own pastel de nata!
We?ve been residing in Lisbon this week, but I am excited to travel to Porto next week and meet with more businesses and experience more of Portugal?s beauty!