My name is Rodsta (AKA Rodney Miguel De Andrade), I was born in 1973 in Sydney, Australia. My family heritage is Portuguese. My first trip to Portugal was in 1981 as an 8 year old. I was enthralled by her History soaked Castles, Roman Vestiges, Catholic Sanctuaries, Moorish Remnants, Latin Cowboys, Crypto Jewish Inquisition survivor descendants and FADO Music and Pasteis de Nata. As a Child (and later an adult) I would enter these Historical places in the small Republic of Portugal, and a voice in my head would say I'd love to come back here as a Knight, Roman, Friar, Bullfighter, Arab Moore & Sephardic Jew.
In 2012 I lived my dream travelling around Portugal in a leased Renault Modus Grande with Seven personalities that would pop up when they felt the need to go back in time.
The Roman Centurion marched through Evora (Temple of Diana), Milreu (in the mountains of the Algarve), Ponte de Lima and Belmonte (Centum Cellas, a Roman prison).
The Templar Knight paid his respects to glorious Kings and Queens in Guimaraes (Birthplace of the Portuguese Nation), Tomar (the Templar's HQ), Obidos, Batalha & Alcobaca
The Friar decided to Worship in the Sanctuary of Fatima, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus in Braga, Lisbon Cathedral & St Antony's Church
The Latin Cowboy faced the horns in Bullrings & running of the Bulls (even mechanical bulls & bull dozers. LOL)
Arab Moore decided to reconquer the Algarve in Loule (Islamic Baths) & Silves (Moorish built Castle)
The Sephardic-Crypto Jew Contemplates at the Synagogue in Belmonte & Judaria (Jewish Quarter)
Whether walking around as a Roman, Knight, Friar, Bullfighter, Moore, Crypto-Jew, I felt an overwhelming incarnation possess me as a particular historical figure visited his matching Historical location.
Will I ever forget that feeling of walking around as a Templar Knight at the Templar Head Quarters in Tomar? Or Blessing Joggers with iPods who were running up the stairs of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Braga? Or praying at the Loule Markets (which I thought was a Mosque) as a Moore? Or throwing my Bullfighter hat & cape at Toureiros in the Bullring? Help carry a Statue in a Procession? Walking as a Sephardic Crypto Jew past a New Synagogue? NEVER. It was something I always wanted to do and in 2012 I did it.
Join me as I continue my Comical Historic Odyssey around Portugal
Oh I was even possessed by the Soul of Portugal's Fado music singer, Amalia Rodrigues (or Amalia Rodneygues. LOL)
I didn't see everything I wanted to but I saw alot.But I suppose I have to keep somethings on the Bucket list as a reason to go back to Portugal.
I didn't see everything I wanted to but I saw alot.But I suppose I have to keep somethings on the Bucket list as a reason to go back to Portugal.
