Trip to Portugal
AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
It was great to read about the Goan delegation going to Portugal. Lisbon is a beautiful city and the people from Lisbon even lovelier.  I know a few of the people in the troupe –especially the exponents of our traditional arts- and I thnk this is a well earned trip for them.
There will be business and a lot of pleasure thrown in.  In short, they will be treated in style. Of late, Goa has been attracting the Portuguese. It’s the distance --- the long flight--- that makes most have second thoughts. Things change when the supply-demand equation is active.
The Portuguese adore traditional Goan art.  They love the Goan food too. There are just two good Goan restaurants in Lisbon. Casa Goa is one of the best or rather the most popular. Of course, there are a few others too, scattered in the provinces. The exchange of ideas on business, food and wines will occur as the Tejo(It’s the main river of Portugal) flows by.
People will talk about austerity. It does not matter really in this case. No. It’s not because  it’s Portugal. It’s because there are possibilities of the trade market opening up.  Olive oil is one product the Portuguese are keen on exporting their olive oil to India.  One survey was conducted. Maybe more were done.
One hopes the people who will be representing us will project us, the way we are. No airs. Just be Goans. Do things the way we always do. And I am sure they will learn a lot from the Portuguese. The members of the troupe will have a lot to admire. Many are non-Catholics but they will look in bewilderment at the Shrine of Fatima in Lourdes. Frankly , all places will be beautiful. The centres where they are performing are great too.
It will be nice if the managers of the tour can include something about Mario Miranda. He was loved by many in Portugal. He painted a lot about the country. His works will draw a lot of attention and a snapshot visual of his life will bring out the depth of this whole expedition.
It would have been nice to see Bondo ( brother of Timoteo Fernandes) in the group too. Bondo had vibes with Portugal. Good vibes. He was once not allowed in a club  where Portuguese saxophonist Rao Kyao was playing in because Bondo had cads on. Here formal leather shoes  is a must;  He lived the rough life for a while before he finally got his moorings. Anyway, those were the good days one will say in the end.