Stormy Day Porto

[chawen]

 

 

 Bom Dia,

Heavy rain, thunderstorms, chance of hail? Uh no. I'm going to opt out and stay in while enjoying listening to the rain.  And look! I'm typing two handed again--so much easier.

The photo is one I took a day or so earlier. If you look closely you can see white things hanging. This is dried, salted cod--the bacalhau that is the foundation of Portuguese cuisine, while being something I dislike. If you were to cross the street, you'd see fruit preserves, nuts, and many very expensive bottles of port. If you entered the store you'd find even more goodies.

But since we're not going out, let's have some history!

You can't spare us, Pil?

Nope. Here goes. It's one of those cities whose name designates its function. Porto sits at the mouth of the Douro River. Originally settled by Celts, whom you can also find in Northwestern Spain, but these Celts may have been contaminated by Phoencians, who were always on the lookout for good trading opporunities.

But, of course the Romans showed up, but when the Empire fell the Visigoths and then the Muslims moved in. La Reconquista was mounted from the Principality of Asturias in Spain. What became Northern Portugal became county under the Princes of Asturias. Later the whole of the Western Iberian Peninsula was regained from the Muslims starting in the 1300s.

Close ties with England appeared when John of Gaunt's daughter, Philippa of Lancaster married King Joao I. I referred to the royal couple earlier as the parents of Dom Henrique--the Navigator.

Portugal has often been overshadowed by Spain. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries because of dynastic marriages Spain ruled Portugal, but my host country has always and successfully asserted its independence. Now Portugal is a firm and democratic member of the European Union--a very good thing in my opinion.

Adeus