Do you know yourself well? What haven’t you done in your life that you want to do? Do you want to travel? I enjoy watching Joseph Rosendo from Travelscope.net as he walks through different cultures and participates in various celebrations. He is often on in the midst of a celebration with the people from an island, or some far away place. I enjoy that he is actively engaged with them although I think there are some
places, caves, mountain tops, etc that I prefer to only watch on television.
This photo is from a trip I took back in Summer of 2013 to Portugal. It was in the barrios of Lisbon. The area was being decorated for Festival nights. Yearly they have a St. Anthony Festival in the summer months.
Buildings were still decorated. The people there were so kind and welcoming. Even on though we were there a morning following a a rain, the garlands were still in place. Plantings were blossoming. The pace was relaxing and as visitors we were warmly welcomed. I’d go back in a heartbeat to visit, but not in the month of July again. It was just too hot for this mid-western girl.
We were fortunate to travel throughout the country from the interior of the country to the ocean. As you can see in the photo with my pink straw hat, it was hot and the ocean was indeed our natural cooling agent. 
It was 106 degrees on several of the days we visited.
We saw the fields of Cork Trees, the Olive Orchards, and the Sandeman Wine Cellars while there. These are their industries that provide work and money for them. The Cork farms are protected by law and behind barbed wire electrical fences, but it was so interesting to see how the cork was retrieved and used.
We sampled their Fado music. It is fun to be part of the cultural music and dances in each part of the world. I am anxious to see and learn more about Brazil as the Summer Olympics gear up there. Television will be my guide this year. I think of the Portugal and Brazil as “sister countries” in my mind. Perhaps because of the Portuguese Language and the popular soccer teams from each area. I am interested in learning more.
Do you enjoy listening to music? Seeing the various dances each country uses to celebrate their events is enjoyable? As a child geography classes didn’t excite me, but as an adult the “hands on” approach to learning by traveling woke up so many desires to see and visit more. People have talents and a beauty within that we miss when isolated in our own little suburb or city.
On this beautiful summer day, I invite you to grab a book, listen to music, visit the library, or sit and enjoy a travel show. You’ll be glad you did!
Peace for the day! Delight in Living!