Sundown
Ever so slow now
Remind me I’m a free man
Free-er than I’ve been
It’s something I’m feeling
I’m wonderfully breathing
Blessed in the rainfall
Cleansed like the downpour…Live well, you reap what you sow
The future is bright if we can ebb with the flow– “Live Well” by Palace
Most times I find it hard to put words to feelings or emotions, grasping the right words to express isn’t a natural thing for me. And yet sometimes thoughts, ideas and words come rushing into my mind like a waterfall. When that happens, it’s almost like a untamed geyser; the words flowing so quickly, so rapidly, when I actually put them in writing they often are a big jumbled mess. It isn’t until I read them back over, I think “okay, how do I tame all of this to make sense.”
Just the like the song lyrics above, they have no rhyme or reason. This song came on while I was writing my thoughts about this little travel experience, and for some unknown reason to this day, I connected the lyrics and melody to this moment in time. Even now having replayed the song back, I still can’t stop thinking of the words, the feeling this hazy sunset gave me. Often times those “aha” moments of clarity, peace or understanding, approach us in unexplainable ways. It was a simple moment, a quiet memory of a summer evening, one that still brings a smile to my face…..
This is a story about a quick travel, a detour; a story of when work becomes pleasure. It was nearing the home stretch of the wedding I was planning in Portugal, mere days before my first international event. I was getting in as much wedding work, in as few days as possible, aiming to balance work and the enjoyment of my time in this beautiful country. After an early and long day of meetings, before making the drive back to my home region of Serra da Estrela, my aunt and I took the short drive in the opposite direction of home, taking the detour to scope out Vila do Conde.
I had done a bit of research the day before on local spots for my clients’ post ceremony photoshoot, and was instantly grabbed by the well known Aqueduct structures in this coastal city, once known for shipbuilding. The Santa Clara Aqueduct makes its way along the road leading to the Mosteiro de Santa Clara {Monastery of Santa Clara}.
Once there you are met with the loveliest images of a quaint medieval-like European town square. Tiny cobblestone roads, a corner restaurant you can easily see the makings of an old tavern from long long ago, with plenty of al fresco seating of course, houses in their true Portuguese style; pastel colors, tiles, granites and stones — all closely lined up making their way down, towards the center of the city and eventually the sandy shores.
Go during the most picturesque moment of the day, golden hour. And if it happens to be the soft hazy golden kind, goodness it makes every little sight and detail, that much more perfectly delightful!! Rooftops seemed to disappear in the haziness of the sunset, it was quite breathtaking in the most simplest of ways! Here amongst the thousands of people nestled in their homes, going about their lives and Mother Nature was doing this lovely thing just right above them.
It was midweek, when everyone was gathering together around their dinner tables, only a few stragglers around making their daily evening walks along the stone fortress walls, overlooking the soft glow of the city as it laid to rest for another day.
I walked around, snapping photographs, often losing myself in the warm sunset beauty — completely immersing myself in the moment. A new place I so happen to have encountered and enjoyed by sneaking into my workday.
I thought how lovely, how simply, just purely lovely of an evening, something real, happening there in that moment. And yet why weren’t more people out?? To appreciate this moment, the glow of another day. I was instantly reminded that life, life, gets in the way of us actually taking those moments to appreciate life. Even I, out and about exploring, was there in Vila do Conde because a day of work meetings and to do’s, happened to have brought me to different cities from Guimarães and Póvoa de Varzim to Vila do Conde, and then back home to Serra da Estrela.
Like any historical building in Portugal, and throughout Europe, especially one built from religious roots, the intricate carving and stonework are nearly impossible to miss. Grand doorways and entrances shine in all their Baroque glory, still withstanding since the 14th and 18th centuries. And this particular monastery of Santa Clara, was once the richest convents in the country.
Although the main convent building is the newest construction, dating back to the 1740’s, now home to Vila do Conde’s municipal services, it still perfectly sits alongside the beautiful church built in the 1300’s, the backdrop of all too common Castilian battles present during that time period.
But the Aqueduct, the same one spotted as you enter Vila do Conde, that is the sight to grandeur at! No it’s not some intricate historically-rich structure, but it’s one you happen to spot around Portugal, serving an important role of channeling water down into villages. And this Aqueduct of Santa Clara, stretching four kilometers, took almost 90 years to complete. There was a specific science and knowledge needed to make these Aqueducts, to make them function successfully, hence why this one took so long to be built especially during a time when science was still becoming what it is now.
Over the years parts of the Santa Clara Aqueduct were lost to construction and weather, but when it was originally complete in 1714 it had 999 arches! Yes, one shy of 1000 arches! That is certainly a lot of arches, a long distance transporting much needed water to village dwellers.
This short detour reminded me that we are all quick to say the days pass by so quickly, some don’t have enough hours for us to fit everything we’d like or need to do. But on this day I was reminded that power, the control of each day, well that is in our hands. If you want to drive around going from city to city, working, getting errands done and somehow fitting moments of stillness, joy and fun….well then we all have the power to actually make it happen if we so choose!
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