katee

Hi,

My friend from Portugal is completely unable to pronounce 'cześć' so he uses 'siema'

I went to Albufeira because I thought it was the most 'strategic' place and actually I was right As said, I took a car and travelled - one day to the north (Lisboa, of course), one day to the east (mainly Faro), one day to the west (Portimão, Lagos, Sagres, St Vincent Cape) and many other places. I was just driving and stopping when I saw sth nice I visited few small, adorable villages, free of tourists of course. Every trip has its 'obligatory' places to see but I prefer to get to know some real life, people who are not used to tourism, so they are completely nautral.

I had only a week so couldn't reach neither Porto nor any other more-to-the-south places. Next time

I had a chance to meet the Pope in person - amazing experience. Unrepeatable right now...

I will read 'Cantos' when my PT will improve a bit as I may just look at the letters and... nada but maybe I'll give a chance - vamos ver...

See you,
Katee

__________________
Il n'y a que 2 choses infinies dans l'univers - l'univers lui-même, et l'erreur humaine... et je ne suis pas sûr pour le premier (AE)

Arehdel

'siema' = hello?

I had a chance to meet the Pope in person - amazing experience. Unrepeatable right now...

I will read 'Cantos' when my PT will improve a bit as I may just look at the letters and... nada but maybe I'll give a chance - vamos ver...

Hi!

Did you?? I imagine! It should have been a really great experience He visited Portugal several times... and I was really sad for not having known him personally... I cried, cried and cried when he died... as if he was from my family...

"Contos" not "Cantos"

But you already know many Portuguese words!

I've seen that you have already joined my group! Thanks a lot!

katee

Yes, 'siema' is like 'hello' but very informal - like slang.

You see? I can't even read the title! :D
These words are not enough for Saramago, I guess.

Yes, I met him in Italy - he always organised some meetings for the Poles.

You should have seen Krakow at the time of his death... full of candles, flowers, pictures of him. Cars, trams, buses stopped, so did people... only some tourists (as Krakow is always flooded with tourists) moved on, as he was not, obviously, such an important person for them.
I can't imagine what else could cause such a situation, like the world stopped...


Maybe we should go back to PT culture and as I'd like to learn more How about Senhor Salazar? how do u treat him in PT?

__________________
Il n'y a que 2 choses infinies dans l'univers - l'univers lui-même, et l'erreur humaine... et je ne suis pas sûr pour le premier (AE)

Arehdel

Siema!

Well, about Salazar (as maybe you know), he was a dictator. He "ruled" for a long time, and in a difficult time.
Some time ago, on a TV program, he was simply voted for the best Portuguese ever. , not only from this century or the 20th century, but of all th times!
As a matter of fact, I don't understand my people! He is so criticised... For myself, I can't pronounce... as when he "ruled" I wasn't even born... but as for my parents they think at least there was respect... you know... now everything is at random... we are still living tough times...
It's a polemic subject... but more and more people in Portugal are saying this seems Salazar times!! and we live i a "democratic" society...

katee

Olá,
Now u surprised me!
I've read something about Salazar and his times and I must admit that 'the best Portuguese ever' does not suit here! How can a dictator be the best person?
If u say 'we are still living tough times' u can say 'obrigado' to Salazar for this, as u suggested.
This whole thing smells propaganda...

Another PL easy words: communism = komunizm; dictator = dyktator; revolution = rewolucja; Portugal = Portugalia; Salazar = Salazar (or maybe, to be more cruel: Salazar = Stalin <- for the Poles, when you say 'dictator', they link it first to Stalin) However, I wouldn't compare those two...

Why do u actually say 'tough times'?

__________________
Il n'y a que 2 choses infinies dans l'univers - l'univers lui-même, et l'erreur humaine... et je ne suis pas sûr pour le premier (AE)

Arehdel

Hi, Katee,

When I say "tough times", I mean Portuguese people are losing their traditions... they don't seem to matter about them, as a matter of fact. So, a I mean socially speaking... it seems like everybody only thinks about him/herself... you know?
For example, I'm a teacher and as a teacher I realise that students don't know anything about our history (only about 25th April!)
They aren't proud of being Portuguese, as perhaps Polish people is!!
They only care about football... and all that makes me sad, very sad, indeed!
As a teacher, my main goal is to prepare the future Portuguese genarations... but I feel that this government doesn't support teachers... (as Salazar did, for example!) With this I am not saying that I defend Salazar! No, as he was a dictator and of course I am a Democrat! But I think Salazar ruled when in Spain there was also a dictator, in Italy... and moreover is is PAST! Now, we shoul be looking into the future, shouldn't we?
I think I'm losing my faith in this people...
Tell me... how is your educatioal system?

katee

Arehdel,

I guess it's a pretty common thing among your people that they don't actually give a damn to history, literature and stuff like that. Here is the same - they don't understand politics, for example, and criticize the situation in Poland not knowing what this country has been through.

I'm a teacher as well but right now only, only by education. I used to teach for about 2 years but gave it up. As in Portugal, teachers are not supported by the government. They earn scandalous money and have to have at least 2 jobs to support themselves.
What I found most annoying was the fact that I had to teach using methods introduced maaaaany years ago. I couldn't explain to them that right now, young people are different and they are lots of other things which can help in teaching. I heard opinions from older teachers that they had been taught that way and if I had some remarks about they competences, I should say that aloud ... Frustration?
Why couldn't I teach them English by listening to music, their music (translating lyrics, taking about artists, subcultures) - that's what they are interested in! The 'management' didn't let me... no idea for what reason - it was probably only because it was too 'modern'.
As for education system:
primary school (6 years)
so-called 'gymnasium' but it's just second level of primary school (3 years)
high school (3 years)
university (as long as you need )

When I was young, the system was different (8 years for primary school, 4 for high school). Anyway you start at the age of 7 and most of Polish people finish their education with MA degree as, without this, it is difficult to find a good job.

How about Portugal?

PS. I also remember about 25.4 as it's one day after my birthday

__________________
Il n'y a que 2 choses infinies dans l'univers - l'univers lui-même, et l'erreur humaine... et je ne suis pas sûr pour le premier (AE)