Falésia... a natural wonder!

We are enjoying a few days in the Algarve in the south of Portugal. The Algarve is hilly, but traversed with rich valleys. Its highest point is the mountain range of Monchique, with a maximum altitude of 906m. The Algarve has several cities, towns and villages. It also includes some islands and islets.

The region is also the home of the Ria Formosa, a natural reserve of over 170 square kilometers the and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds.

One of the most important facts in the Algarve's history was the five centuries of Arab occupation, visible in the regions architecture (lattice chimneys and tiles, for example) and in many places' names beginning with 'Al'.

The Algarve was once part of the Roman province of Lusitânia, later becoming part of the Visigoths' jurisdiction. The Roman presence left tracks in several places of the region. Since 1249, and until the Republic proclamation, the Portuguese monarchs were entitled "King of Portugal and of the Algarves".

Also important in the story of the Algarve were the Age of the Discoveries and the 1755 earthquake. The Algarve became a lot more important during the Discoveries, being used as one of the main departure ports. The algarvios (people from the Algarve) were an important part of the maritime adventures and of the African territory occupation. The 1755 earthquake, which had its epicentre very close to Lagos, destroyed much of the Algarve. The tremors of destruction were felt everywhere and many important monuments were lost. But not even this would stop the algarvios, who despite all the adversities rebuilt the Algarve and made it what it is today: a wonderful resort by the sea!

This picture was taken from the top of the Falésia Beach, an extraordinary combination of natural beauty!

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Something worth reflecting once more

Decisions are a big are part of life, we make so many in the course of our journey and so often, small ones and big ones! Because all of them have implications for us, learning to make decisions... I should say wise and inspired decisions is a something that is worth reflecting once more. A decision enters in the wise category when we devote careful consideration to the alternatives available to us and it becomes inspired when we prayerfully take what we consider the best option and counsel with the Lord in prayer before we take a final route. Here is a good link to a scripture that helps in this reflection: Doctrine and Convenants 9:7-9

"We hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles"

During the Brigham Young University luncheon for the honors students a quote from an unknown author was mentioned: Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues . Miguel starts his Doctors program next week in the School of Medicine of the University of Utah in that sense education continues, but also life itself is a great school from which we never cease learning. As we reflect upon the experience we as family had during Miguel's graduation we make our words the words of another unknown author: "We hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known" Related links: Graduation Slide Show

Dèjá vu

Today as Filomena and I were walking in downtown Frankfurt we saw a Mercedes Benz of the same color and and style of the Mercedes Benz that my father-in-law bought in 1969 in the factory of Stuttgart, Germany . He traveled from Luanda, Angola in Africa to Germany to buy it as he was a fan of German cars because of their quality and reliability. As an Engineer himself he had a taste for quality and durability. This car has an history that is worth telling. In 1975 when the civil war of Angola forced thousands Portuguese families to return to Portugal, my father in law was not an exception, he sent his family first to Portugal for safety reasons and stayed longer to protect the interests of the customers of the bank he worked with, then the Banco de Fomento e Exterior and now part of the Banco BPI. Prior to his departure he gave is Mercedes Benz to a dear friend from the old days of primary school to help him take his mother to South Africa to receive needed and urgen...

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