This week our travels took us to
Óbidos means citadel or walled city and receives this name because it is located within the walls that protected the city and a castle during the Middle-Ages.
It is also one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. 
Óbidos is about an hour north of Lisbon on the “Rapida Verde” - express bus.
Óbidos is probably one of Europe's most romantic medieval villages. It is also known as the Wedding Present Town because the town was a gift from King Dinis in 1282 to Queen Isabel on their wedding day. And then every Portuguese queen after Isabel, up until the 1800s, was given Óbidus as a wedding present.
Óbidos is about an hour north of Lisbon on the “Rapida Verde” - express bus.
Óbidos is probably one of Europe's most romantic medieval villages. It is also known as the Wedding Present Town because the town was a gift from King Dinis in 1282 to Queen Isabel on their wedding day. And then every Portuguese queen after Isabel, up until the 1800s, was given Óbidus as a wedding present.
Complete with narrow cobbled streets, traditional white houses, churches, old gateways, a wall, and a medieval castle - we enjoyed our little excursion into 'the past'.
Obidos is also known for Ginjinha or Ginja, which is an alcoholic drink that tastes like cherry. You will find lots of people selling shots of it on the main street, Rua Direita. We found a place that sold a non-alcoholic version for the crianças (children) and decided to give it a try. Served in an edible chocolate cup, it tasted just like a melted cherry chocolate.
Then we topped that off with some roasted chestnuts.
(Not as good as the song implies.)
Our Christmas Devotional was also this week. And the best thing about it - besides the people and the food -
IT WAS ALL IN ENGLISH!
The European Area Presidency and their wives spoke. Their talks centered on JOY - regardless of the circumstances. What brings us joy, what our biggest concerns are, and how joy can bring God's power into our lives.
The Lord came to change us, not to change the world. (That will naturally follow.)
When President Nelson reviewed the new mission presidents handbook of instructions, he recommended that they "add more joy" instead of just rules.
Joy comes from who we become, what we overcome.
We can only take three things with us when we die - relationships, knowledge and character.
There you have it. Almost like being there, I'm sure.
I Love that Message about Joy! And I could totally go for a melted cherry Chocolate! Glad you opted for the children's version ;)
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