Pequena coisas 1

The hardest thing in another language is giving/understanding directions. Since coming here - the rugby club which Ive been invited to join trains "on the park of sand near the swimming pool, along from the bus station". When I asked someone where the bus station was they told me it was "near the swimming pool". Theres another gym which I havent found yet which is "on the main road, the Evora road, near the end". Since I didnt quite walk to Evora i presume I didnt find it. The Museum of Archaeology in Escoural is near a fieldys girlfriend's house. I think thats why he's never quite made it there despite being born here. I ate last night at the "restaraunt above the swimming pool". Last Saturday it was the restaraunt "above the gas station". When we tried to find a government department in Evora we were told it was near the courts. We asked a cop where the courts were and he didnt know.

**********

I sent some emails this week and bagged the guys I work with as they dont wear protective equipment like safety glasses, ear plugs, dust masks. Its not in their culture and its not usually available in the workplace. But in this country its mandatory to wear a reflective vest if you're walking along the road. And everyone does. Maybe people here are just smarter at recognising the risks.

**********

This is my favourite Portuguese roadsign. It says "This street is only wide enough for one car, but instead of making it a one way street we'll make it two way. To make sure no-one runs into each other the person with the red arrow has right of way". In reality whoevers gets into the street first wins. Or you play chicken with the other driver - especially if (like me) you have a decent sized car. Just to keep people on their toes Montemor also has more than its share of 1-way streets...