Back in the USA

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Well, Brian and I are finally back, and I've got a few weeks before I have to head back over to Europe to start school at London School of Economics. But before all that happens, I've got a few more pictures of Portugal, this time of Belem. Belem is another "suburb" of Lisbon, and it is from Belem that Vasco da Gama set out for India, returning sometime later with a huge cargo of spices that brought wealth and fame to Portugal. Anyway, here they are, and I'll start posting again when I head off to London. 😊

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Photos

Inside a Colonade in the middle of Lisbon
We caught the super-modern tram out to Belem from near here.

The Monestary in Belem
This was built using tax on pepper and other spices from India because the King promised he would build a monestary if Vasco da Gama came back from India alive.

The Bridge and mini-Cristo Rei
This was the bridge we used when the bus arrived in Lisbon. There was also a mini version of the famous statue in Rio.

The whole Monument
It was shaped like a Caravel-a ship that was developed at the time to allow for voyages like Vasco da Gama's to occur