May 15 - Day 4

 Our tour of Evora was not scheduled to start until 9:30 am so we had a leisurely morning. Didn't rush at all and got down to breakfast at around 7:45/8:00. Breakfast was very similar to the hotel breakfast in Porto. Still very good and so enjoyable. We ate breakfast with another couple on tour - Terry and John - very nice people and we enjoyed chatting.

After breakfast, we headed out on tour and saw many of the things Matt and I had seen the day before. The first stop was at the church we had only seen the outside of yesterday. This is the church of St. Francis of Assisi. Of course, more gilded gold and such ornate pictures and architecture. Somehow, I do not think this is what St. Francis had in mind in his vision of helping the downtrodden. We then went to see the Chapel of Bones. Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. This chapel is built with the bones of poor people who could not afford to be buried in the church The walls are all decorated with bones and skulls. A little strange to say the least. Leaving there, we headed to the Roman Temple of Evora. This temple is part of the historical center of the city and was built in the first century. It has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Our tour guide finished her lecture with us here. There is a beautiful view of the city of Evora from the temple which is the highest point in the city.

After we left our tour guide, we went to the Evora Cathedral and bought tickets to climb the steps to the top of the church. More incredible church viewing with the gold guilding everywhere. It was beautiful at the top of the church. I looked over and thought once again of David jumping from the fifth floor of the parking garage and felt so sad that he ended his life that way. So sad. I am here experiencing life without him and somehow, even though I know I cannot change the way things are, it doesn't feel fair. It feels wrong and yet I know it is my job to keep living and loving the best that I can. 

After we walked the hundreds of steps to the top of the Cathedral and back and around a couple of times, we headed to lunch. The sun had come out and it was lovely. Everything about Europe that you love to experience. We sat at a sidewalk cafe and ordered some lunch. Matt and I shared some empanadas and a salad and of course, my signature latte. It was wonderful. 

Headed back to the hotel and rested for a few minutes before our afternoon excursion began. Back on the bus, we headed to Azaruja, about 45 minutes away. The bus dropped us off at a dirt road and we walked into the olive oil farm, about a ten minute walk. Thi was such a wonderful experience. The owner of the farm talked to us about what he was doing there with his "micro farm" of 231 olive trees. We saw an olive tree that was 2000 trees old and tasted his wonderful olive oil. So interesting and enjoyable.

Back on the bus, we headed to Quinta Plansel, the vineyard where we would hear about planting, harvesting grapes and making wine. Dinner would also be enjoyed here. A very young girl who was an intern of the farm walked us around and showed us all the different aspects of wine making and bottling. She also talked to us about their grafting process, tons of manual labor to graft new plants and sell them. 

Dinner was served in their dining room and the food was delicious. Very Portuguese of course. The main course was pork and clams with some kind of breading mixed with pork fat that looked like mashed potatoes. Unlike anything we've ever eaten but very good. And of course, three different kinds of wine, olives, bread, empanadas, salad and dessert. Such a wonderful time. 

Headed back to the hotel after dinner and by now, it was after 9 pm. Matt and I both felt like we had eaten so much food! We walked up to the city square in Evora again and enjoyed the moonlit sky. It was good to move and try and digest some of the food and alcohol.

A wonderful day. Matt continues to be such a wonderful partner in every way. He is positive about everything, a wonderful conversationalist and the nicest person you can imagine. I feel lucky. The sadness of missing David is every present and trying to integrate my two lives continues to feel challenging. But I am happy to be alive and having these experiences. Hard to believe how much we packed into this day!