Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 15

Day 5 – Evora & Lagos

Chapel of Bones in Evora

We checked out if our hotel this morning and headed to Evora. We wanted to see the famed Chapel of Bones.

It was freaky.

An entire chapel filled with bones along the wall and columns. Not very common. I can’t say I felt a religious experience looking at skulls, but some people might.

I put in Silvas in the GPS but had a few issues. So we went to Lagos instead. Lagos is a beach town with a beautiful city. But it is known for its rock formations and cliffs. We went around the rocks and took many photos.

It was getting late so we decided to start heading to our hotel 2 hours away. So not a lot if cities today, but still saw a lot of the country in the southern portion of Portugal.

Peace

Day 4 – Serra da Estrela – Manteigas, Sortelha, Monsanto & Evora

We left our comfortable hotel in Viseu and started driving east. I didn’t realize we would be going through Serra da Estrela National Park. It was beautiful. We drove up and down the mountain, stopping for photo shots that looked like we could have touched the clouds. We didn’t stay long on top of the mountain because it was getting too cold.

We headed down the mountain and stopped at a little village, Manteigas. We walked around a little, but not long. Mostly to stretch our legs.

We got back in the car and drove again through the mountains stopping at Sortelha. This village freaked me out. We went through the village and castle and only saw a handful of people…only 4 people through the entire village. And it took some time before we saw the first person. It was eerie. The village was great, but I kept thinking where are all the people? Flashes of horror movies kept filling my mind. I kept thinking at any minute someone could come out and get us. Thankfully Zombies are only in Hollywood.

We left this little village and proceeded through the mountains to Monsanto. This village is renowned for large boulders being scattered throughout the village and the village is built around the boulders. Some homes even have boulders as walls. It was impressive.

I planned to hit a couple more villages, but I didn’t plan on driving 2 hours through the mountains. The map showed the villages close together, but going through the mountains takes much more time.

We ended our night in the lovely city of Evora. We walked a little through the night, but we couldn’t see the Chapel of the Bones until tomorrow.

Yes…a chapel full of human bones. Another freaky place.

Peace

Aveiro – Guimaraes – Ponte de Lima – Viseu

At the castle in Guimaraes

It was a long day of driving around Portugal today. We left the city of Coimbra this morning (which apparently led to some of the inspiration for J.K. Rowling while she wrote the Harry Potter series.)

We traveled a little north to Aveiro which is called the Venice of Portugal. Sadly, I drove around trying to find parking but couldn’t. But I think we got the gist of the town through my circles to find parking.

After we left Aveiro we headed to the charming town of Guimaraes. We explored a royal palace with their heirlooms scattered throughout. Then a short walk to the old castle that is about 1,000 years old and is still standing. After the morning of exploring these two buildings we explored the the cobbled street town for a little bit.

It was rainy part of the day, but we drove around a lot so it worked out.

We journeyed to our furtherest north destination of Ponte de Lima which is just a little ways from the border of Spain. We walked around this little village for a little while, snapped some photos, tried to find a place to eat but since it was well past lunch no one was serving. So we left.

We drove 2 hours south to Viseu where we are staying for the night. We walked around in the rain for a while looking for a place to eat, but succumbed to eating pizza two blocks from our hotel since we were so hungry.

Tomorrow we will be going East and south.

Peace

Alcobaça – Batalha – Leiria – Fátima – Tomar – Coimbra

We started in Óbidos this morning and quickly grabbed breakfast and a few things from a local grocery store. I always find the grocery stores while I travel and pick up cheap snacks and water. I travel far, but I try to do it cheaply.

We journeyed up to Alcobaca to see the castle and church. Couldn’t find parking in the small town. So we drove through and headed on our way north.

We stopped at Batalha to walk through the small town, shop and see the beautiful church/monastery. This town had roosters on everything and discovered the folklore of a roosters. If your interested, Google. It’s pretty interesting.

Next we traveled to Leiria. We parked the car and started walking. We didn’t know where we were walking but could see the castle high above us. We finally found the entrance after taking two elevators up and walking a ways up the mountain. The castle was stunning. A long walk, but totally worth it.

We continued in our way to hit the famed town of Fatima. This village hit the map in 1917 when three kids said Mary appeared to them. The town exploded into a religious site. And it was a sight to see. The plaza of the church seemed like St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. It was huge.

We journeyed to our next stop of Tomar and missed the castle since it closed before we got there. Oh well…we had a busy day.

So we started our way to Coimbra where we are staying…

Word to the wise, make sure your GPS can find the hotel before you start driving there. After over an hour of driving around the town we made it. What hotel doesn’t have a sign? This one doesn’t it. And also, the street our hotel is on is in another area of the town in another zip code. So after I saw the zip code we headed to another spot. This location seemed safer…much safer. My mom was going to tell me to get another hotel if we were staying at the place it took us to the first time. But I always find cheap hotels near restaurants. Our hotel is two blocks from a tourist trap. Very safe. We were driving for a while in a dark, desolate location of Coimbra. But we finally got here.

Lesson learned. I’m about to find our hotel for tomorrow night to be safe. I don’t want to go through this again.

Peace

Lisbon – Sintra – Óbidos

Castelo dos Mouros

I’m not a big fan of flying. I’m always nervous and anxious. Did I forget anything? Is the COVID test I took going today work? Are there going to be any surprises in the customs?

So many things up in the air and it just causes me to feel frazzled sometimes.

Thankfully, everything went okay with the flights and I even got a few hours sleep with my handy weird looking travel pillow.

We landed in Lisbon and picked up the car rental. I didn’t want to spend a half day on a weekend in Lisbon (the largest city in Portugal) so we headed north to the neighboring town of Sintra.

Sintra is a small town with castles, palaces and churches. I planned on seeing a couple of them, but we didn’t have time. I couldn’t find the bus to take us up the mountain. Everyone I asked pointed us in a direction and it took a while until we found the route.

But it was an interesting castle, built by the Moors centuries ago.

I love old cities. I have traveled throughout the US hitting some old cities, but still they cannot compete with a old European city.

After we left Sintra we drove north for an hour to Óbidos.

Óbidos reminds me of the walled towns I have been to before in Spain and Italy. It’s small, quiet, but has lots of character. I could walk the lonely streets for hours just letting the surroundings seep into me.

So far, day one has been pretty good.

Very tired…but good.

Peace

For more pictures look at my Facebook.

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Who Goes to Portugal?

Out of all the places in the world would Portugal be on your bucket list?

I went to Spain four years ago and it was a pleasant country. I had never wanted to go to Spain, but interestingly it was cheaper to fly to Spain than it was to go to Miami so I jumped at the cheap flight.

I am so glad I did. Spain had beauty and charm, history and art, delicious food and friendly people. Maybe I will return, but Portugal had a cheap flight so Portugal here I come.

So, if you’ve never thought about Portugal, travel with me this week. It’s going to be a busy week with many, many cities to visit. Who knows what’s going to happen…but with a rental car, 6 hotels scattered throughout the country and two travel partners (mom and sister) it is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Peace

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Sacrifice – What is it in Relationships?

Sacrifice. When you hear the word does it convey a positive or negative reaction?

I think it depends of which side of the line you are on. Are you the sacrificer or the person someone is sacrificing for?

That line makes all the difference.

But should it? Should it matter where you fall in the relationship to determine a positive or negative reaction?

I’m single so I see relationships through a different lens than the majority of the world. I see it from the outside looking in. An onlooker. A spectator. I may not know all the details, but I can make a knee jerk reaction to what I see in an instant.

The other night I was listening to some people about sacrifice and relationships. How sacrificing is a way to show love. When you choose someone else’s happiness over your own.

Every lasting relationship has some form of sacrifice.

But the more I thought the more concerned I became.

If you look at whatever relationship you are in are you always the sacrificer? Are you always the one who others sacrifice for? Or do you sometimes fall on both sides of the line.

If you are always sacrificing for someone it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship. One person should not carry all the weight. One person should not always bend over backwards to keep the peace. One person shouldn’t always go out of their way to show their devotion.

If one person in the relationship does all the sacrificing, is the other person truly worth the sacrifice?

I had a wise person once tell me, “A woman will marry a man hoping he will change. A man will marry a woman knowing he never will.”

But the saying can go both ways. A man can marry a woman hoping she will change, but sadly, if she hasn’t changed yet, what makes you think a wedding ring will cause her heart to change? A piece of fragile metal does not have that type of magnetism to turn a hurtful heart to a healing heart.

I have seen too many relationships where one person bends over backwards to accommodate the other. One person drops their guard and slowly gives pieces of themselves away until they have given the other person everything they have. To often people give themselves to someone because the sacrificee gives an ultimatum.

If someone gives you an ultimatum to do something you don’t want to do or they will leave.

Let them leave.

If they won’t sacrifice for you, why sacrifice for them?

Sadly, we live in a world where sex is had after a ten minute conversation and a couple of drinks. Where sex is used as a power tool or an act of submission. Where sex is not revered or treasured like a precious gift, but is given like a thrift-store sweater that gets used and then tossed aside when a newer fashion trend emerges.

We are called to love. We are called to share our love. We are called to sacrifice.

But we are never called to give up all of ourselves to another human who doesn’t reciprocate the same sacrificial heart.

If you are always the sacrificer – you deserve better.

If you are always the sacrificee – you deserve less.

Relationships are hard, but good ones shouldn’t leave you battered and wounded. Relationships shouldn’t leave you empty handed. Relationships shouldn’t leave you in regrets.

If you are feeling that way you are not in a relationship. You are just an occupied state of a hostile takeover.

It’s time to take your freedom back.

There is someone out there who will give you sacrificial love. Sacrificial love isn’t a one way path. If you’re never seeing it, it’s time to take a detour and find a new road to journey down.

And if you haven’t found it yet, just keep looking. It is out there.

Some people may think a single life is a sad life. But it’s better to be single with hope than to be in a relationship without any hope.

Here’s to hope.

And just to let you know, you are loved more than you know.

Peace

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New Beginnings

Beginnings are scary. Endings are sometimes unwelcome. But what if the combination is a beautiful journey?

I have a friend who is in this situation. He may feel uneasy, but I see great potential for his future.

Isn’t that how life always is? We see the best in someone else, but we can’t see it in ourselves?

So often we stay in unhealthy relationships so we can achieve that marital status that society says we should obtain. Or we keep that unfulfilling job because everyone else says it’s a good occupation. Or we settle for mediocrity because the other option seems impossible.

I heard a teacher say one time and it is so true in many scenarios,

It’s better to be single and have hope than be married with no hope.

This line can be used in any situation.

It’s better to be going to college and have hope than be in a deadend job with no hope.

It’s better to be searching for that perfect job and have hope than be miserable with no hope.

It’s better to be alone with hope than be around people who kill your hope.

It’s better to be in the valley with hope than be on a beach without hope.

You may be going through a bad situation…don’t lose hope.

You may be going through a health crisis…don’t lose hope.

You may be surrounded by dream killers…don’t lose hope.

You may be feeling alone…don’t lose hope.

You may be feeling like this is the end and there isn’t anything else. Don’t think that way. This ending is just the start of a new beginning.

As Semisonic sings in their 90s anthem,

Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end

This may be an ending for something, but take heart, it’s a new beginning for something else.

Life is good. God is good. Try to live it to the fullest. Dream a little more and try something new. Who knows, the endings from yesterday may be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes we can’t see it because we are not supposed to see it yet.

But when you see it…wow.

And the beautiful thing is He saw it when you couldn’t. And He’s been begging for you to follow where He leads.

It’s time to follow…take a step of faith…a dive of belief…and as you journey, you won’t be going it alone. He is with you.

And if you need some encouraging, I’ll be here too.

Peace

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Rosie Ray – Talent Takes Time

I had the privilege to be an early reader of JL Weaver’s newest book, Rosie Ray – Talent Takes Time. This is a book you will definitely want to check out for your children. It has an encouraging message that all children need to hear over and over (Reading it once isn’t enough).

In a world where Hollywood perfection is usually only obtained through photoshop and smoke and mirror theatrics, it is refreshing to read this uplifting story.

I applaud Mr. Weaver’s courage to write this story for his daughters and the children of this generation. Children may see their hero’s on the big screen and dream to become Captain America or Spider-Man, but just as the book says, talent take time.

We need to lift up and encourage this generation to find their God given talents and use them. We need to show them that if first they don’t succeed, try and try again. Just because they fail it doesn’t mean they need to give up. Life is hard and we need to teach our children that things may not come easy. But failure or the possibility of failure doesn’t give them reason to never try anything new.

If you have a child or even if you know of a child, get this book for them. I hope they get inspired to dream and find their talents. But this book can also inspire the inner child in everyone to dream big dreams and strive to grow and mature their talent. We all have a talent that God gave us to use…how are you using it?

If you’re not using it, it may be time to start. Don’t keep that secret hidden from the world. God blessed you with it, so use it to bless others.

If you don’t know your talent, it is definitely the time to find it. We all have one. Happy searching. And as the story says, talent takes time.

Wouldn’t it be great if greatness came easy?

Join Rosie Ray on her trip to Talent Square—a place full of talented singing, dancing, and juggling experts! But what happens when Rosie Ray tries to sing, dance, and juggle? Will she give up for good? With the help of her mom, Rosie Ray learns that the Truth is ‘Talent Takes Time’ and includes much more than natural ability.

Perfectionism blinds us all and can easily get in the way of our children’s development and understanding of what it really takes to achieve! My oldest daughter (Savannah Ray, of Rosie “Ray”) is quick to try new things and is also very quick to quit new things if she finds that she can’t master them completely on the first try. She sees her friends or people on TV (more likely Youtube) succeeding at many things with incredible ease, and she then believes that if she’s not great or better than them immediately then that activity is not for her.

All she sees on the surface is their success, and she doesn’t have the luxury of seeing what’s underneath that success, which includes the many times they failed or hours they put into the practice to become great. It just looks to her like “greatness came easy” but most of us, as parents, know this is not how success works.

Behind every successful person is a long line of failed attempts, practice, research and support from friends and family (aka Rosie’s mom in the story) that made that person’s success possible!

This series has been developed to help parents and teachers with character development for their children. It’s written in singsong rhyme so it’s not only fun for children ages 4-8 but also fun for you to read to them! If you like this story and would like to see more from the Rosie Ray Series, be sure to leave a great review!

Peace

Click the link to order you a copy for the children in your life. And then read it with them. Maybe you can show them your talent.

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Sunday Night Blues

I don’t know why but all day today I have felt like I’m off work tomorrow.

Maybe it’s because I went into work on Saturday (tax deadline October 15th).

Maybe it’s because it’s fall break and so many other people are off this week.

Maybe it’s because last week was just a long week with ups and downs.

But all day today I kept wishing tomorrow was Labor Day. So I could take another day and relax. Take a day and refresh. Take a day and just be.

But I am fortunate I have a job I get to go to and not have to go to. I am blessed I have a family of co-workers and not co-workers I hate. I am honored to have an occupation that is immune to the COVID spiral of economic downturns.

So, even though I’m having a blueing Sunday, I am hopeful that Monday will not be so blue.

Well…I hope Monday afternoon isn’t blue. Tomorrow morning I’ll still wish it was Labor Day.

May we all try to find the positive in bleak blue days. If we search, we will find them.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Peace

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