Let us go south to reach West!

Nisha — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:11:06 +0000

My fascination for the Mediterranean region has always been aeonian. I feel a bit of bonding. Probably because the civilization have existed for eons…. maybe as old as in India.

However I am going to talk about a small region or a district of Portugal, which is on Atlantic but is more Mediterranean when you see the weather or culture.

Yup! I am talking about Algarve. Algarve is the southern most region of Portugal (Faro is the correct political name of this district).

For people who want to visit Algarve you will definitely find the regular Mediterranean fare, sunny weather, clean beaches but offers shades as well in the form of huge rocks, excellent night life, laid back approach etc.
In addition, for shopaholics amongst us, exquisitely designed Ceramic works are manufactured here. Much like Khurja in India.

Then what is it all this title about reaching west while travelling south?

The fact is historical, which the people at large may have forgotten.

The name Algarve is evolved from the Arabic word for West which is Al Gharb. I will not go into details of why Arabic word was used in the first place . It’s a long history spanning several centuries.

Posts related to this entry which might interest you :-

How important is a ladies bathroom ?

Cuckoo — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:01:06 +0000

We visit places of worships, museums or historical monuments. We talk about the great architecture, memorable history and interesting lifestyles related to them. Mostly these stories are built around the affluent and powerful residents of the place.
How often do we talk about a common man or his living habits ? Or much obvious things ?

Almost never.

One such place is bathroom. One of the most neglected rooms in a common household. We must have seen large sized ‘bath-halls’ of kings & queens with a pool and other comforts where there were tens of servants to cater to smallest needs. But what about a common household ? Have you ever wondered how in a particular community a lady used to take bath ?

Today I’ll tell you how and where Portuguese lady of a common household used to take bath in older days. Well, not only Portuguese but I guess British ancestors also did the same.

This is a typical ladies bathroom in any middle class family of a Portuguese household.

The slanted ceiling of the bathroom is made of wooden planks. Outer wall of the bathroom normally has a painting of a naked woman indicating it to be a ladies bathroom. At window level there is a shelf with an oil lamp which is to be lit when the bathroom is occupied.
Just below this shelf there is a fireplace with wood logs and this also has a clay stove on the other side of this wall.

Photograph Copyright : Cuckoo’s Cosmos

Now on the inside i.e. inside the bathroom, a large copper vessel with water is kept on the clay stove. And a ‘lota‘ (mug) made of brass is used to take water from this vessel.
The floor is made of stone. Generally both the toilet and bathing area are separate. I will talk about the toilets later.

Photograph Copyright : Cuckoo’s Cosmos

I have seen one on slightly different lines in my great grandmother’s native place. Since we were ruled by the British, I think it must have come from them.

P.S. – This was the answer in response to my quiz about this naked lady.

Technorati Tags:- Life-style

Le Monde - A Poetic Travail » Portugal

Let us go south to reach West!

Posts related to this entry which might interest you :-

How important is a ladies bathroom ?

Posts related to this entry which might interest you :-