My Lisbon Trip: Part (1)

raid said:
Why is Coimbra the Capital of Love? :D
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Well various reasons. I was specifically quoting a song called "Coimbra" made famous by the Queen of Fado, Amália Rodrigues. The song was originally about the city, student life (it has one of the oldest universities in Europe and up until the 20th century, it was the only university in Portugal) and, of course, love. It pretty much captures the spirit of the city.

Coimbra do Choupal,body
Ainda és capital
De amor em Portugal,
Ainda és capital.

Coimbra, onde uma vez
Com lágrimas se fez
A história dessa Inês tão linda

Coimbra das canções
Tão meigas que nos pões
Os nossos corações à luz.

Coimbra dos doctores,
Pra nós os seus cantores
A fonte de amor és tu.

Coimbra e uma lição de sonho e tradição.
O lente e uma canção e a lua a faculdade.
O livro é uma mulher só passa quem souber
E aprende-se a dizer saudade.

I found this very literal English translation on the net.

Coimbra of the Choupal,
Thou art still capital
Of love in Portugal,
Thou art still capital.

Coimbra, where once upon a time
With tears took place
The story of that Inês so lovely.

Coimbra of the songs
So tender that thou turnest
Our hearts to the light.

Coimbra of the professors,
For us, thy singers,
The fountain of love art thou.

Coimbra is a lesson of dreams and tradition.
The lens is a song and the moon is the faculty.
The book is a lady. Whoever just passes knows
And learns to say ‘saudade’.

(Source webpage)

The 'Choupal' is a countryside near Coimbra on the banks of the Mondego river - there is just a bit of it left. The Inês reference is to the epic love story of Pedro and Inês. Pedro I was the heir to the throne. A marriage was arranged between him and a princess from Castile (now part of Spain). When she arrived, Pedro fell in love with a beautiful maiden that accompanied her - Inês. He married the princess anyway but later she died during childbirth. Pedro then wanted to marry Inês but his father forbade him. He lived and had children with Inês anyway. Then the King had Inês assassinated. The tormented Pedro went to war with his father, King Afonso IV, but lost. Later however, the King died and Pedro took the throne. Upon taking the throne, he had Inês' body dug up from the grave and seated her next to him proclaiming her the Queen of Portugal. He then made everyone in his father's court kiss her decomposed hand. The assassins were killed and supposedly Pedro ate their hearts. The place where Inês was assassinated is known as the Quinta das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears). Legend has it that a water spring developed at the spot of her assassination. It is known as the Fonte das Lágrimas (Spring of Tears), the water coming from the tears of Inês. This tragic love story left a mark on the city. Falling in love seems easier in Coimbra than in other places and love is above all else as learned from Pedro.

Here's a photograph I took from the Quinta das Lágrimas:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgsemedo/1352274663/

Song is in reference to Coimbra's version of Fado music. The Fado of Coimbra is more formal and classical, the lyrics much deeper and powerful, and traditionaly performed by male university students and alumni. They dress in the traditional black capes. Fado of Coimbra is street music performed at night. Many times it is performed as a serenade to a woman. Love songs are mixed in with profound poetry from the likes of Zeca Afonso and Miguel Torga. So powerful is the content that during Salazar's fascist regime, many poets and performers risked imprisonment. The late Carlos Paredes, who was and still is the greatest Fado guitarist, was imprisoned for a very long time. Fado of Coimbra is just pure passion and emotion but at the same time extremely intellectual and influential.

Here's a photograph of students performing Fado of Coimbra:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgsemedo/1162845321/

The last verse of the song really captures the experience. If one lives in this city, even for a short time, they will be forever changed. The last sentence says that one will learn to say 'saudade'. Saudade doesn't have an English translation - it is a feeling of longing, nostalgia, remembering better days... at the same time, a bit of disdain for the present situation, and a bit of fear for the future and knowing that one cannot go back and relive the past. It is both a happy and sad emotion. When I'm in Coimbra, I'm completely consumed by the city and I always find it hard to leave. When I'm in Canada, I can't stop thinking of it and I long to go back. When your surrounded by musicians, artists, poets, intellectuals, love-stricken and youthful students, tremendous history, and most of all, excellence everywhere and in everything, you can't help but be affected somehow.

So yes - Coimbra is the capital of love in Portugal. Love between a romantic couple and also love for your neighbour, love of art. love for learning, love of excellence, love for living... There are probably just as many songs about yearning for Coimbra as there are about wanting a woman.

The song "Coimbra" became an international hit but sadly when it was adapted for other languages, everything that had to do with Coimbra (the reference to Pedro and Ines, the university, love, sernades and saudade) was taken out. It became a meaningless pop-song. The English version of the song is called "April in Portugal" and was performed by Louis Armstong, Bing Crosby and many others.

BTW, if you really want to impress your significant other, book a romantic evening at the Palace of Bucaco - 20 minutes North of the Coimbra. It is in the middle of the most enchanting fairy-tale forest imaginable. (It was the King's hunting lodge)

A photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgsemedo/1314298212/

The official website:
http://www.almeidahotels.com/nm_quemsomos.php?id=12&menu1=3

Sorry about the book but I get carried away when it comes to the city that I love.
 
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Fernando,
Thank you very much for your informative write-up with photos.
I can see why you are so proud of your hometown.

Regards,

Raid
 
Oh man, what a thread! Raid, your photos are terrific. The evidence of that is not only in the images themselves, but in the reaction they inspire from other members. Got to find a way to get to Portugal!
 
Bingley said:
Oh man, what a thread! Raid, your photos are terrific. The evidence of that is not only in the images themselves, but in the reaction they inspire from other members. Got to find a way to get to Portugal!
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Thank you, Steve.
I never thought before of visiting Portugal, but I did consider Spain and Morocco as a good goal for a trip so that I could see the architecture inspired by the Islamic rulers in these countries.

In some of my posted photos above, you can see the beautiful tile work displayed on the walls of buildings and interiors. The RFF group showed me restaurants that have a rich history. One of those restaurants has amazing tile work on the walls. There is also a shot of the oldest store in Lisbon. It sells candles.

Greetings,
 
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Hi
Being out of the country, only now I managed to get my rolls done. I do apologize for being "late".
Raid your photos look Fantastic! :)
Thank you very much for make these places much better than they real are!
With so great photos I just put the link to mine so the thread does not lose the level of quality it has. :eek:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/migone/sets/72157602089838186/

Was excellent to have Raid and all the Portuguese members togheter!
We need to do it more times!

PS- ok just one, Raid at his best!
1413850371_7a7f73b849.jpg
 
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Hello Miguel!
I really like your photo of the streetcar with four passengers showing. It is a great image.The photos of me look ... like me.
Yes, it was a nice time in Lisbon.

Thanks.
 
nvs said:
Hello Raid, grat set of photos out there ... planning a second trip ?? :D
finally got my V500, so here are some photos from the meeting http://www.flickr.com/photos/nvs/sets/72157602273813584/

still learning to handle this scanner ... hope there are fine :)
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Hello Nuno,

With three guys called Nuno, it is difficult to forget the names! :D
I love your photos. Each is nice. You have a good eye for composition and geometry.

Did you use Miguel's Nikkor 85mm/2 for the close-ups?

Thanks for the images. One day, I will be back in Portugal. I am waiting for the EURO to drop! :bang:
 
raid said:
Hello Nuno,

With three guys called Nuno, it is difficult to forget the names! :D
I love your photos. Each is nice. You have a good eye for composition and geometry.

Did you use Miguel's Nikkor 85mm/2 for the close-ups?

Thanks for the images. One day, I will be back in Portugal. I am waiting for the EURO to drop! :bang:
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Thanks a lot, and yes i used Miguel´s Nikkor on those photos, they really do the job ... , if your wating for the Euro to drop ... maybe i should get a trip over there ... :cool: who knows ...
 
The EURO may keep on increasing relative to the US Dollar.
I may still travel to Europe though. Life is too short ...
 
Hi you all,
As promised I'm attaching a link to some of the pictures I shot on this occasion. My scanner is finally back from the Nikon agent, still limping on each 6th frame it scans even after €242,00 was spent, but I'm glad it is back home.
I'll be updating this file at a speed of 5 frames each 24 hours from now on.
All these images were shot in Vista color film and developed in hc-110 b&w chemistry.
Best regards,
nuno
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=7200
 
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Hello Nuno,
Finally, we can see some of your results. The photos brought back memories of my trip to Lisbon. Well done.
Which type of scanner do you have?
 
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