1.My first trip to Europe 〜 Porutgal 〜
I went to Portugal in 2006.
It was my first trip to Europe.
My image of Europe was not so good.
It is far from Japan.
Some places are dangerous.
A travel fare is expensive.
They might be correct.
But in Portugal I had a good time.
After that trip my impression was changed.
I would like to go there again.
Portugal became my favorite country.
By the way, I think the American culture has had a significant influence
on modern Japanese
culture.
But I think European custom,culture are very different from Japanese one.
(1) Business hours
One of big differences is business hours .
I rented a car at the Lisbon airport .
My return flight was early in the morning.
It was out of their business hour.
"Though the air port opens and there are some flights."
"Business hours of a car rental agency is shorter than business hours of an airport."
I couldn't believe that.
Off course I could use a public transportation system or a taxi .
But my luggage was heavy and large(over 2.6 meter length).
I was at a loss.
Almost Japanese think it needs 2 hours before the international flight.
Traveling among EU signatory must be easier than the other over sea travel
.
In truth I had been too nervous.
After all I went to the airport to return a car one day before.
And I retuned to a hotel by taxi .
At the last day I used a taxi.
If you were in my situation,what did you do?
(2)The sun shines
I have heard that Portugal was a country of sorrow.
In other words, it is a slightly quiet gloomy image.
The reason is many Japanese introduce Portugal with words of "saudade(solidao
in Portuguese)".
It means "Nostalgia", "regrets", "nostalgia",
"sorrow of parting", "homesickness" "nostalgia".
So I was surprised the sun shined all day .
Temperature dried highly and it was comfortable.
There were a lot of swimmers in the shore.
Where did the country to provoke homesickness have disappeared to?
(3)Kind people
I was afraid that I met with a dangerous scene.
But a lot of people help me.
I did not have a dangerous experience.
For example,at the airport,when i was carrying my heavy luggage, a man
lent a hand to me.
I said that this was my first trip to Europe.
Then he said ” welcome to Europe ”.
I was very glad.
I was a stranger there.
So I asked the staff of a car rental agency the way to the hotel.
He guided me by car to an exit of an airport.
And he adviced that I went straight through the road.
Thanks to his kindness, I was able to arrive at a hotel safely in spite
of the midnight.
All the other people were kind, and I had a very good time.