Coimbra

Our day began with an imaginative tour by Aanya, who led us around while hilariously making up every "fact" as she went. She had us laughing, and the highlight was Savik taking diligent notes, which he later tucked into his journal. To top it off, we had to provide her with written feedback on her tour! 

Coimbra, a historic university town, is home to the oldest university in Portugal and the second oldest in Europe. The city was buzzing with activity as we witnessed the initiation of law students. The older students wore traditional black suits and cloaks, while the freshmen, dressed in red shirts, kneeled, sang, and followed the commands of their seniors.

The morning was spent wandering through the town's beautiful squares, admiring the architecture of various cathedrals, and strolling beneath ancient arches. For lunch, we enjoyed a meal at a vegan Mexican restaurant. We did have to shush Savik, though, when he mentioned a chicken burrito—right next to some bold graffiti declaring "Meat = murder."

In the afternoon, we toured the university's tourist areas, starting with the Cabinet of Curiosities. The collection was both fascinating and a bit unsettling, featuring stuffed animals, including a conjoined horse. Next, we visited the Academia Museum, a small space showcasing student life through the ages.

Our favorite stop was the chemistry laboratory, where we could participate in hands-on experiments. I especially enjoyed mixing colors—learning that with just red, blue, and green, you can create any shade.

We saved the library tour for tomorrow morning and instead spent the evening at a Fado concert. I wasn't sure how the kids would handle the soulful music, but the 45-minute performance was captivating. It was well-explained, and by the end, we were all singing along—la la la.

The day ended with a peaceful walk along the river. While we admired the cityscape, the kids had fun doing cartwheels on the grass.