Alentejo - Blog Posts
I know; way too many photos of sunsets... But here we go again: After almost a month with sunsets like this, and / or getting the wonder of two sunsets in one day, just by climbing a street or two in Lisbon, this guy returns to his 'native' country Denmark. Besides the expected difference in weather, scaled-up trouble in his neighbourhood, immediately being involved in readings and other litterary stuff, he couldn't understand it. WHY was it so hard to feel at home? Why all that restlessness? Why so... "Heavy" just getting through a normal day? And he even brought back (again-again; admitted!) the outline for that kinda novel he had wanted to write for years. But then he made some simple counting... He'd been away for almost a month. And "home" for just a week. No wonder he has trouble "re-adjusting" to life in Dk. It will take about the same time as he's been away. What IS a bit worrying: NO time needed to 'adjust' upon arrival at Portugal; instant feeling of being 100% 'there'; (actually felt like 'here'!). So why that needed "re-adjustment" time in his homeland? Just confusion... #castelodevide #alentejo #sunset #homeiswheretheheartis #heartache #priceoflife #horizon #perspective #laurieandthestoryof (Which seems a bit too tied to NOT being in Dk; has to be dragged across Europe just to be half remembered, despite notes and more...) #isitreallytruethathomeiswheretheheartisandthatiatsomepointleftmyheartthousandsofkmsawayfrommyhomelandthatwouldreallymakelifedifficult (Usual One-off hashtag...) #udenfilter #mantelmomento #danielmantel #primeiroproximopasso (He might have some answers...) (her: Castelo de Vide)
Sometimes, just some times... Life is plain good. Simple and easy. As if the meaning was, that we humans were supposed to just exist. Just being... Human beings. Like every day was there for you to live through, without big trouble or deep worries. Just... Be. Nothing but your senses and sensing that you're part of a world that senses you too. Without anything special about that. Just another day for you, to do whatever good. Or do nothing, if that's what you want. With other people that also just enjoy existing... But THEN you're being shallow, not thinking enough, not reflecting or considering this or that! Oh no! Then you're being naive and superficial! Even turning this very complicated life into a banality! THAT'S not allowed! You have to be DEEP! With SO many layers in your mind, that most of them are hidden. You have to be confused. LIFE has to confuse you... No such thing as just... Being! No way! That's not life! Is it? #castelodevide #alentejo #existing #justanotherday #beingalive #sun #castelo #justbeing #life #maisumdia #simplicity #laurieandthestoryof (Yes, it's in there too, as it is in almost everything...) #somedaysyoujustfeellikeyoudonthavetodoanythingtobeapartoftheworldbutopenyoursensesandbealiveanditisntevenanykindofeffortitjusthappenslikeexistinghappens (Usual one-off hashtag... #udenfilter #mantelmomento #danielmantel #primeiroproximopasso (Even he is in this too, somehow...) (her: Castelo de Vide)
https://mantelsroman.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/solhul/ It looked like a shortcut. It WAS a shortcut, just not to where he wanted to end up. Leaving the main road and crossing over fields with olive trees, seemed like a good idea. The weather was perfect for a trip, almost a picnic, over the rolling hills, following trails that almost weren't there or made by only sheep. Sometimes having to hike over cliffs and boulders, just made it more exciting. And he wouldn't wander astray, at least not much, since he had his goal in sight all the time. The white village and the old castle, clearly visible on the highest top, a real mountain, was a landmark ahead of him that he couldn't miss. It was just occasionally hidden by smaller hills or when the olive tress changed into more dense wilderness. The sky was blue, leaving all space to the burning sun. With just small winds stirring the olive leaves; making them look like blinking silver. Somewhere, far away, bells from sheep mixed in with the constant sound from cicadas. It was a beautiful day. And going cross-country, even a shortcut, instead of following the road with annoying traffic, was a great idea. He guessed he would be at the shining white village on the top late in the afternoon. The sun was at its highest, and he was beginning to seek the small spots of shadow from the olive tress. Drinking heavily from his bottle of water; but sweating it out even faster. He blamed it on the heat, that his eyes decieved him. He didn't seem to get any closer to the mountain. Despite getting exhausted from the walking. And the sun was making him dizzy. His white almost shining bones was found several months later. By a person taking a shortcut to the mountain. #https://mantelsroman.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/solhul/ #olivetrees #sunrays #shortcut #alentejo #laurieandthestoryof #fiction #novel #inspiration #mindscape #meandmystory #nothisisnotlikethestorythatislinkedtobutsomethingcloseenoughandwhoreallycaresanywaysincethisisjustanordinarypictureofthesunshininginthetopofanolivetree (Usual one-off hashtag...) #udenfilter #mantelmomento #danielmantel #primeiroproximopasso (her: Serra de São Mamede)
Ofcourse I can't be sure... But I guess Senhor Passo has seen this fountain too, (maybe with those rainbows also), since I now know that he went to Alentejo. Then it's hard not to pass this village. It's news to me that he, that illusive (evasive?) masterwriter was in this region. I found out that he had left Lisbon, much to my disappointment. And somehow it seemed like he left almost fleeing. Or due to a misunderstanding. I actually thought that we had some kind of agreement on meeting up. But after what I learned in that café in Rua da Rosa (yes, that IS the name) in Bairro Alto, my view on things changed. That he, a famous writer, should... But hey now! I haven't decided what happens after now, and anyway; you don't give out key-moments from your novel beforehand! So: To be... #laurieandthestoryof #primeiroproximopasso (Still not sure bout that name...) #fountain #rainbows #castelodevide #alentejo #altoalentejo #fiction #sparkling #novel #inspired #writingplace #thisisasfarasiaminthestoryandhowfarthatisiamtheonlyonethatknowsandiamnotevensuremyself (Usual one-off hashtag...) #udenfilter #mantelmomento #danielmantel (her: Castelo de Vide)
Évora, located in the hot Alentejo is full of history and culture! Don’t hesitate to visit!