Zipping Through the Countryside...

Coimbra, Portugal

November 28, 2007
N40°12.230
W008°25.304

Today was an easy travel day, relatively speaking. We caught a train back to Lisbon, made two connections via the Lisbon Metro to get to another train station and then boarded a direct train to Coimbra, a university town in the middle of Portugal. The total trip took a little under four hours and the easiest part was the ride from Lisbon as the train from the city zipped through the rural areas of the countryside at over 120 MPH. The landscape of small houses, hills and farmland was hard to track as we whizzed by.

The town, known as the “Oxford” of Portugal, rests along the Rio Mondego and used to be the capital of Portugal up until the 13^th century. It’s now a college town, with annual beer bashes sponsored by the large beer companies, and houses one of the first universities in Europe, the first in Portugal. It’s a steep climb up cobbled lanes to reach the University, situated high above the town over-looking the river. The route definitely gives the students a daily dose of exercise and, most certainly, provides them with a feeling of satisfaction as they looked down upon the city, knowing they’re attending the preeminent university in Portugal.

Another perfect fall afternoon allowed us to casually stroll through the campus and surrounding parks wearing little more than light sweaters. We made mental notes of picture opportunities for tomorrow, when the sun would be higher in the sky, and decided we would retrace part of our walk. Sidewalk cafes were packed with people enjoying their late afternoon fix of espresso. In the square, crews of city employees were just getting started with setting up Christmas decorations; definitely later than the other cities in Portugal.

We plan to relax and enjoy our few days in the college town. Don’t worry, we won’t try to drink with the students—we wouldn’t have a chance of keeping up with them.