Learning Outcomes

We were asked about our learning outcomes from the project.
The question was a good motivation to sum up our stay in Portugal. Here is, what we discovered ;)

Paula

I learnt: 

• how to speak to the bigger group of children and how to take care of them;
• the creativity in communication, especially how to talk with "my hands and legs" (when my basic Portuguese was not enough to talk with kids)
• various games and outdoor activities and how to organise free time for children;
• living in an international environment taught me how to be more tolerant and respectful person;

I've gained linguistic skills: 

• I had a perfect possibility to practise my English;
• I learnt some basic Portuguese phrases, mostly these which were useful in rope park or at work with children (and I got to know about my good Portuguese accent, maybe I should have stayed in Portugal? );
• I felt on my skin, what it means that all people smile in the same language =)

By the project I feel enriched:

• with new experiences (in working with youth and children);
• with the knowledge about Portuguese culture and customs (connected with exploring the country);
• with fresh motivation to develop my skills and gain more experience in outdoor work with youth;

Monika

• Through the project I got to know not only a beautiful country that is Portugal, but its culture, customs, history, daily life of people.
• I visited interesting places and got to know their stories. 
• Working in rope park taught me, what the job of rope park monitor is.
• I learnt how to use professional equipment and its maintenance.
• I passed the routes on my own and lead the course.
• I climbed  the climbing wall, defeating my fear of heights. 
• I learnt how to work with children and about the organization of their leisure time
• I learnt basic phrases, gestures used by the local population, as well as strenghtened my knowledge of English language, learnt greater assertiveness, team work and responsibility for others. 
• I broadened my cultural horizons, and linguistic, professional and social skills.
  
  
   

Discover Portugal

There are some places, you should not miss, being in Portugal. Well, ok....  there are plenty of them, but that's pretty obvious (guidebooks did a good job). That is why instead of more writing, I'd like to show you, what I liked.
....and let's hope that you'll want to go there, too !! :)



1) LISBON

... on just very few pictures tht I liked (with one of my favourites on the left; showing a lovely couple - the guy focused on fixing a shoe of his woman).

I wish I could add here some of them (especially these taken at night), but my camera got stolen after I hitch-hiked to Porto for São João festival (that's the risk of going out at night to the crowded streets ).Well, definetely you need to see Lisbon's and Porto's day&night side ! :)



What I want to share is not only beautiful views of Lisbon, a bettern known one

My own hand-made panorama 

The Bridge of 25th of April seen from the Lisbon's centre(up) and from Belem(down)

One of two fountains at Rossio square (downtown)

... but the other face of Lisbon too

2) SINTRA & CABO DA ROCA

Quinta da Regaleira,
one of many miracles of Sintra

Extremely windy
mostwestern point of the Europe.
THE END

3) PORTO

"They say love hits you when you least expect it, and in the city of Porto, Portugal, it might come in the form of a hammer to the head during the Festa de São João."  =)

CASCAIS, place where the sea kisses the land

...Just 30 km away from Lisbon, there's is a town with charming landscape and a constant holiday atmosphere, and its name is Cascais.
If you keep it top-secret, I can share with you << My list of MUST SEE PLACES >>

1. Boca do Inferno - "Mouth of Hell":
For those, who want to combine nice walk and have wonderful view upon the ocean at the same time, I recommend strolling along the coast. There, somewhere on the way to Guincho beach, you'll find an impressive cave curved in the rocks.

2. Lighthouse view

Walking from historic center of the town towards "Boca do Inferno", you will pass the old lighthouse facing the sea. Probably it's the most popular and famous picture of Cascais, and not without a reason. Simply stop there and enjoy the view =)

3. Citadela
A unique example of the military architecture, notable historic fort, recently renovated. At the end of 2011 it reopened as the Palace of Citadela with a restaurant, an ice-cream store and even a hotel inside (which I don't find the best idea ever). On the left side of Citadela, there is one of its ramparts, called Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz. Visiting this part of the monument, you can watch a short video inside, that tells an intriguing story about kiddnaped wife (but if I tell you, it won't be intriguing anymore! so go there and get to know on your own). If you are not fan of short documentary videos, just walk the stairs up and you will find a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea ( and sparkling (4.) Cascais Marina, in the lower picture - with lots of restaurants, bars, shops).

5. Cultural Centre of Cascais

I'm not a big fan of museums, but if anyone is interested in art - Cultural Centre of Cascais promotes it by hosting exhibitions and other events. You'll find it in a pink house just next to the Citadela.

6. Merechal Carmona Park
That park is a hidden gem of the town. You can simply rest there, enjoying lovely atmosphere of the place. But there are more options. One of them is a visit in (7.) The Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum. On your way there, you'll see few peacocks and some funny roosters. I tried to catch them, but maybe it's easier when you show your good intensions, e.g. by feeding them.

And if eventually, you will not want to get inside the museum, just the building for its architecture and the fountain with hand painted tiles are worth seeing.


8. Guincho beach
Guincho is one of the biggest beaches in Cascais area. Laying at the foot of Sintra and very exposed to northern winds, Guincho is internationaly famous as a perfect beach for windsurfers. 
The ocean can be quite dangerous for swimmers due to its strong tides and winds. However, when the weather is nice, Guincho is one of the most pleasant beaches in the region. You can easily check it, renting a bike for free (!) and having a great ride on the coast using a special bike route (9.) Cascais Bicycle Path. 

10. Old Town
Here's the picturesque place for those who want the taste of real Cascais. From Largo de Camões, which is the town’s central square and a popular meeting point, you can start your wanderings around many little, charming, tiny streets. Whenever heading out of town, take a pleasant, leisurely walk on the (11.) Seaside promenade between Cascais and Estoril -  it accesses most of the golden sand beaches. Any time you can simply rest on one of them, getting a little sunshine :)

ACTIVITIES
Muraliza 2014: Mural Art Festival Cascais, 4-10th of June

One of many arrows leading
to some nice pieces of street art
(as presented on the left side)

(It's very recent project, which started at the beginning of June and until now I have found just a short information written in Portuguese and three sentences in English. It seems that I will be the first one writing a real note about the initiative in English :) )

Muraliza Festival is integrated with celebrations of the 650 years of Cascais' Charter and aims to improve the quality of artistic interventions in the town. The painting of murals was handled by six local artists with international renown. The main topic of the wall art was Cascais portrayed in large and medium-sized panels. It is intended that the "graffiti or street art" becomes an integral part of urban planning.

For me looking for graffitis in the downtown is like searching for hidden gems.


That is my Cascais. Just keep your eyes wide open and enjoy the place =)

"Pieces of Adventure"

And now some few words about "Pedaços de Aventura" (eng. pieces of adventure):

"Boss" of the crew is Raquel - very warm-hearted, strong woman with a vision. The idea of ​​creating a rope park and then expanding the project, which is "Pedaços ..." with new elements (cafeteria; artistic activities; summer camps) requires lots of creativity, patience and a real energy. With the introduction to the work we heard a story about how the park, where we work, has changed thanks to one woman. And let me tell you, this story has really made a big impression on me. Especially when one looks at the current state park. Once it was an abandoned and neglected place with very bad reputation (which is why the first step of changes was building a real fence, and then came the time for platforms, ropes and all equipment). Now, "our" park is visited by large groups of school children,there are organized birthday parties and you can watch World Cup in the cafeteria, feasting on snails. This is it! And moreover, Raquel cares very much on good working atmosphere and you can simply feel positive relationships between people. And it's so positive place that I've walked there on my day off ^_^

Here are some parts of an article found in local newspaper:
<< The initiative "Pedaços de Aventura" created a city hideout and shows how important nature and sport associated with culture are in life. This project offers kids, youngsters and adults tree-top activities and paths, dedicated to sports. A part of the plan are also: a café with a terrace over a pleasant garden, games for children, active holidays and workshops. This initiative provides help for schools in encouraging children to use their imagination when in contact with nature and to know the area of Cascais. >>

To make you feel a part of our team, I'm uploading a picture taken with the crew of "Pedaços...". There are  still missing Nuno and Fonseca (those, who worked the most often with us) and new guys, who came for their internship - Joana, Miguel and ZeGi. I'm very sorry because of that, but the conclusion is simple: someone must work, so that someone else can take the photo ;)

Our crew (from left in black: Monika, me - Paula, Gus, Raquel, Joana, Patricia,
then in white t-shirts Davide and  Andre).

And  here me in a rope park... Pure happiness :)) 

First days of S-Factor project

Our project started from a cultural training with our Portuguese coordinator, Antonio, who familiarized us with an "cultural ice-berg" and "comfort-zone" models. The aim of the meeting was helping us in avoiding cultural shock, so that our stay and work here could run smoothly and our co-operatation with "Pedaços de Aventura" was as efficient as possible .

The cultural training included not only the theoretical introduction and inspiring discussions but also very pleasant trip to the top-secret place, where we were almost able to touch the sky. We will not tell you how big impression the place made on us, the photograph will express it way better ;)

Few words about participants...

Monika: "I'm 28 years old and I've graduated in Economy and Finances at the university in Cracow (Poland). I'm interested in travelling, turism and sport, and that is why the project S-Factor attracted my attention. My participation in it is not only a great adventure and possibility of getting to know a foreign country, its customs and traditions, but what is the most important, it lets me develop my communication and team-work skills."

Paula: I’m an enthusiast of climbing wall, rope parks and outdoor activities in general. Probably that is why I take part in the project ;) Now as well, I became a blogger. Quite fresh one, but I hope you'll like my posts here. The fact that I'm in Portugal with S-Factor, gives me the chance to broaden my perspectives of getting a dream-job, which would be working with youth, but it is an adventure as well, and it's a wonderful one :)"