CAMBRIDGE: days 4+5

On my fourth course day, I had classes all morning and, in the afternoon, I attended an exciting workshop by Chaz Pugliese on “The Land of Smart: How to use the theory of Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom”. After that I definitely needed some retail therapy and off to Cambridge city centre to be back at half past six for this tasty dinner:

 »» Spaghetti bolognaise + sides: rice + roast new potatoes+courgette and baton carrot 

Why such a rush?? Well, I still had plans for the evening… “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, an open-air theatre play in the beautiful gardens of Trinity College. I was delighted not only by the play (Shakespeare’s fairy-tale world of love, jealousy and youthful exuberance) but by everything around me. To my surprise, there were indeed about 200 chairs, but many more people and of all ages were on the lawn having a picnic! Some had brought rugs, others blankets and were eating and drinking (even Champagne) during the performance. In the 15-minute break hot wine was also served. Gosh, what a difference!!!

See the people on the lawn having a picnic?

This Friday, we just had classes in the morning as an excursion to Ely was already included in our cultural programme. Ely is a very calm town quite close to Cambridge (about 45 min by coach) and is mainly renowned for its Cathedral though it offers some other attractions such as Oliver Cromwell’s house and Museum. Unfortunately, there is never enough time to visit all the nice places we would like to but at least here you have a glimpse of the most fascinating sights: the Cathedral, (recently used for a prominent scene in the award winning film, The King’s Speech), gardens and its riverside. 

Ely Cathedral, surrounded by parkland and meadows

The River Great Ouse, nice spot for picnics and pics

It was a really hot day (can you believe that? It has only rained one and for a couple of minutes) and after a shower, here is my dinner: 

»» Vegetarian Lasagne+sides: peas+sugar snap peas, as usual followed by fresh fruit

Today was film night at the campus and maybe inspired by the visit to Ely, namely its Cathedral, guess the film I chose???? The King's Speech, of course!                        

More photos, ladies!

Well, ladies, more photos! These were all taken by teacher Carlos Ferreira who kindly sent them to me.

We are now expecting your comments. EhEhEhEh!!!

School Visit to Conímbriga

On the 28th May, class Animação SocioCultural Diurno headed to Conímbriga for their first school visit. It was a great day and even the weather contributed (perhaps too much, really) for the success of this outing. After lunch we gathered at school and went by bus to The Famous Roman Ruins + Museum and came back around seven p.m. not before sharing a nice meal.

As for the place itself, Conímbriga is one of the largest Roman settlements in Portugal, and is classified as a National Monument. Conímbriga lies 16 km from Coimbra and less than 2 km from Condeixa-a-Nova. The site also has a museum that displays objects found by archaeologists during their excavations, including coins and surgical tools. A restaurant/café is in the museum, which also has a gift shop.
Although Conímbriga was not the largest Roman city in Portugal, it is the best preserved. The city walls are largely intact, and the mosaic floors and foundations of many houses and public buildings remain. In the baths, you can view the network of stone heating ducts beneath the now-missing floors. Archaeologists estimate that only 10 percent of the city has been excavated until the early 2000s.
Like many archaeological sites, Conímbriga was built in layers. Some of the earliest layers date back to the first Iron Age in the 9th Century B.C. The Romans arrived in 139 BC, Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus was the general who lead the Roman legions in the conquest of western Iberia after the death of Viriathus, conquering the Celtic inhabitants and establishing a city that grew, flourished, and then fell victim to barbarian invasions until Conimbriga's residents fled to nearby Aeminium (now the city of Coimbra) in 468.

Now have a look at some of the pictures taken then and enjoy!!!