7 MAY 2014 PORTUGAL- PORTO

       That day our trip to City of Coimbra started in the morning. Coimbra and Coimbra University were very historical. The people live there with their history.

Coimbra University was amazing. We visited the campus. The library of the university was huge. The smell of the books took us to the ancient times. We could not even touch a book, but being in that atmosphere we felt ourselves in that time of the years.

The Chapel was also very fantastic. The guide told us the history, the usage and the today of Chapel.

      Inside the university, the students live and study in this historical area. Everything was charming in that building. The history and today’s daily life were together.

The city of Coimbra was very nice. The old town which part we visited was full of life. We had a chance to see the life of ancient times. The people who live there save their history and live with their history.

      We also had a chance to buy some souvenirs for our sweeties in that old town.

      The lunch was different but we could not taste that dish. Teresa told us that it was a traditional one but we chose not to taste it because of some religious reasons.

      After lunch we had lots of free time for shopping, but it was in a shopping centre and the brands were the same in Türkiye.

      At around 16:00 we went to Aliança Cellar which was an Underground Museum.

      During the Geographical discoveries, the Portuguese could reach to the other continents. South West Africa coasts have important role for that discoveries.

      In that underground museum, we had a chance to see the images, idols, masks, stones of tribes of Africa. Moreover, the some fossils of Africa continent were there to see.

      The masterpieces of some sculptors were amazing and charming.

In the underground museum we could see the pictures and special equipments of Mahatma Gandhi.

      At the end of the tour we sat to taste the most delicious Aliança wine. We had a chance to taste four different types of wine there. The last one named Paradise was the best.

      After that we returned to S.Joao da Madeira to have dinner which we ate octopus with a special sauce. It was nice and first time for the Turkish teachers. 

6 MAY 2014 PORTUGAL - PORTO

Teresa were at the hotel to take us to City hall at 8.45 a.m. City Hall was within walking distance of the hotel. So we easily reached there on foot. Students were already there when we arrived. The Mayor welcomed us and made a speech giving details about the economical and social status of S. Joao da Madeira.

     Later we went on visiting ‘Estado Novo’ school. The young pupils were so cute and they were in class learning Chinese. The school building was a historical one, full of old memories. After that we went to another school which we are more used to. It was a primary school. The teachers greeted us friendly and gave a brief explanation of the system at the school. We also watched the fantastic dance performance of a group of talented students. It was really fascinating.

     The industrial heritage tour started with the hat museum. It was amazing to see and try the nice colourful hats. But initially we learned all stages of making a hat in a detailed way. After the interesting tour at the hat museum, we had a delicious lunch at the school canteen.

     Later on, the second destination of the industrial heritage tour was pencil factory. I can still remember the nice smell of the lead. We were welcomed by another great guide who explained us how to make pencils stage by stage. He even taught us the details of cheating.:)

     And then we reached the last destination- shoe factory that the ladies were looking forward to visiting. The guide at the shoe factory started the tour showing the different kinds of leather. Then we witnessed every stage of making a shoe. Seeing all types of shoes amazed the female teachers especially.

    After a short coffee break, we turned back to school. It seemed to us that there was a   festival at school because all the students were enjoying themselves either with the music played by a band or with different games. The parents had also gathered at school bringing some meals with them to offer us, which was very generous of them. We tasted the delicious meal prepared by the parents.    

     On the whole, the participation of the community was fantastic. Teachers, parents and students were all together having a great time. That night was the proof of being united.

5 MAY 2014 PORTUGAL-PORTO

Teresa came to the hotel to take us to the school. We were ready for the opening ceremony in the auditorium with all the students and teachers. The students had arrived earlier to attend classes with their hosts, which enabled them to see and experience the educational system of a Portuguese school. The ceremony started with Teresa’s speech letting us know the Portuguese team. Then the headmistress gave a nice speech. We learned about Portugal and the town-S. Joao Madeira with the help of students’ presentations. After that all partners had a chance to introduce themselves one by one.

     After the coffee break, students had an activity to get to know each other. They enjoyed themselves a lot during the activity.

     Teachers also had a relaxation activity-yoga. Thanks to yoga, we felt relaxed and peaceful. It was very kind of Portuguese teachers to organise such an activity at the very beginning of the meeting.

     At lunch time we had great meal at the school canteen. Portuguese students were so polite that they let all the guests go before them to take meal.

    After the delicious lunch, it was presentation time on heritage. During the presentations, we learned much about the industrial side of each country. Portuguese students gave information about the footwear, cork, olive oil, wine and textile industry.

    The Belgian team presented cigar, architecture and beer industry.

    German students emphasized the importance of limestone in the German industry.

    Polish team made their presentations on candy, china, construction, tool and chemical factories.

    Slovenian team made it possible for us to learn about their agricultural lands, spas and wineries.

    Lastly, we gave information about coal mining, iron and steel, fishing and tourism.

   Later on, teachers came together to have the meeting on the future of the project. Efficient communication and cooperation worked and made everything easier at the meeting.

   In the evening students joined at DJ party which they had lots of fun.

    Teachers went straight to the hotel after the meeting to get ready for the home dinner at Teresa’s house. We were really impressed by Teresa and her family’s hospitality and we were all very glad to be hosted at their house.

4 MAY 2014 PORTUGAL -PORTO

We had no sooner arrived at station then Teresa and Carlos met us. It was a long journey from our town to Porto but we forgot all about it when we were welcomed warmly by Teresa and Carlos. We took the comman bus to the airport in order to meet other delegations. It was so nice to see all the partners again.

It was nearly 10 p.m. when we reached at Escola Joao da Silva Correia. Students met their host families there enthusiastically. Then we departed for the hotel and soon we were sleeping peacefully in Portuguese sheets.:)