tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post3228371131415795359..comments2023-09-25T06:03:20.143-07:00Comments on Elizabeth Varadan's Fourth Wish: A Wonderful School Visit in Braga, PortugalElizabeth Varadan, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-73948074882463500522019-05-29T11:45:09.712-07:002019-05-29T11:45:09.712-07:00Hi, Mark, thanks for stopping by. Actually, this w...Hi, Mark, thanks for stopping by. Actually, this was a school in Portugal, but your comment is pertinent. Braga, where I was in this visit, as a city places quite an emphasis on and support of the arts. I haven't been in the Spanish schools yet, so your remark intrigues me, because I have a school visit in Spain coming up in September. I'll get a good view of their programs then.Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-47456138570076050592019-05-28T15:58:15.242-07:002019-05-28T15:58:15.242-07:00So cool to observe schooling in a foreign country....So cool to observe schooling in a foreign country. I always thought the Spanish approach to art in schools was a good one:)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-52567372701395249632019-05-25T13:33:43.726-07:002019-05-25T13:33:43.726-07:00Vicki, that is so funny. For a few years I taught ...Vicki, that is so funny. For a few years I taught middle school, and that first period was full of sleepyheads, so I can well imagine. Yes, it was a very nice visit. I was so impressed. In Portugal, they start learning English now at three, and by third grade they start learning other languages. It's amazing how many people in Braga speak English, French, and Spanish, as well as, of course, Portuguese. I was a little envious, because the earlier to start to learn a language the easier it is. Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-54748652994906492052019-05-25T09:43:53.096-07:002019-05-25T09:43:53.096-07:00What a nice visit! I have done a few school visits...What a nice visit! I have done a few school visits in the past, some very nice. One, however, with high school seniors and scheduled at the first period in the day, was memorable for the young man who fell asleep and drooled on his desk. (The rest of the group was engaged and interested,)Vicki Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08114677510459055768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-32223809782274817142019-05-15T11:44:33.837-07:002019-05-15T11:44:33.837-07:00Hi, Mirka, I'm glad you find these posts inter...Hi, Mirka, I'm glad you find these posts interesting. My husband and I love Portugal (well, we love Spain, too!). If you have these connections in Portugal you would probably find a real visit lovely. When I was younger, I never thought I would get these opportunities. Now I am mindful of the advice of a friend (passed away, now) who said, "Do it while you can."Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-56132798459916372602019-05-15T07:42:08.879-07:002019-05-15T07:42:08.879-07:00I find myself globe-trotting vicariously through y...I find myself globe-trotting vicariously through your posts. DD was recently in Portugal for an international piano competition, and I have a friend who lives in Lisbon. Maybe I should pay a non-virtual visit one of these days... What a lovely experience for you, Elizabeth.Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-39346411474370027042019-05-14T03:20:31.747-07:002019-05-14T03:20:31.747-07:00Hi, Rosi, 'Special" is the word! It's...Hi, Rosi, 'Special" is the word! It's such a unique remembrance of such a lovely morning!Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-44592973956699006152019-05-13T20:46:04.623-07:002019-05-13T20:46:04.623-07:00It sounds and looks like a terrific day. Those sto...It sounds and looks like a terrific day. Those stories on scrolls must be quite special. Rosihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01294774973863802821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-55665094086495416842019-05-13T00:34:46.385-07:002019-05-13T00:34:46.385-07:00Oh, what a shame, Kate. If she asked you for the v...Oh, what a shame, Kate. If she asked you for the visit, you could always follow up and ask if she's still interested. She may have just been too busy. (I'm a former teacher, and I know how busy the daily routing can get.) It's probably worth a follow up email or phone call.Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-82659544373026287712019-05-12T10:55:36.778-07:002019-05-12T10:55:36.778-07:00Sounds like a wonderful experience. I haven't...Sounds like a wonderful experience. I haven't done any school visits. My son's English teacher asked me if I would, and I agreed, but I think my son put her off because he's embarrassed to have his mum come to school. Whatever the reason, a date and time was never set...Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-85911838526108881692019-05-12T01:57:00.560-07:002019-05-12T01:57:00.560-07:00Hi, Geo.! Yes, it was so rewarding. I didn't r...Hi, Geo.! Yes, it was so rewarding. I didn't realize you had Portuguese heritage, although I have discovered there is quite a sizable Portuguese population in the Sacramento area. We love Portugal and have made some good friends in Braga. I hope I can keep writing this series forever so we can keep going there! Hope your poetry and gardening are going well. Hello to Norma.Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-5064993738010820582019-05-11T16:24:01.643-07:002019-05-11T16:24:01.643-07:00What a wonderful and rewarding experience! I doubt...What a wonderful and rewarding experience! I doubt you could find a better audience than Portuguese students. We have a history of absorbing invading cultures and adding to our diversity. My family name in the Azores is Inácio, and we customarily leave off the last two vowels. If you fly over Pico, wave to my relatives. Your excellent adventure furnished a most enjoyable read. Geo.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16221314320558128986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-62374758481919571822019-05-11T14:30:57.869-07:002019-05-11T14:30:57.869-07:00Hi, E.C. A treasure is right. I treasure these scr...Hi, E.C. A treasure is right. I treasure these scrolls and stories. They were so unexpected. And the flowers still look gorgeous — a gift that keeps on giving! I don't know my flowers well enough to figure out what they are, but I think they will outlast our trip. :-)<br />Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717808259082655272.post-90023765543658707692019-05-11T14:16:36.171-07:002019-05-11T14:16:36.171-07:00That sounds like a truly wonderful day. The bouqu...That sounds like a truly wonderful day. The bouquet handled the trip well and those scrolls are a treasure.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.com