Thursday, May 24 -- Day 11

** Hello Portugal...

We got an early start today as we piled in the coach headed for our next destination.  It's a little sad to say goodbye to this wonderful country that's treated us so well, but we're moving right along to some new adventures in a new country.  Our bus ride was once again filled with a lovely view of the Spanish countryside.  As we crossed over into Portugal, we could see that the landscape was changing to reveal miles of vineyards and other agricultural crops.  With the change in landscape also came the change in temperature.  Man oh man, is it hot!  It hit us pretty hard as we set foot at our first destination, Evora, Portugal.

Home to a large cork industry, Evora is a quaint and quiet town with white washed buildings that stand out amongst the hills of the land.  What an amazing site for us as we walked the streets to see the rich history of the Capela dos Ossos, literal translation Chapel of Bones.  

 This church was created by several Franciscan monks in the 16th century as a practical solution to a interesting problem.  As many as 42 monastic cemeteries were taking up valuable space in Evora, so they moved all the bones to a single consecrated chapel.  Seeing and opportunity to contemplate and communicate the inevitability of death, the monks chose to display the bones prominently rather than storing them away.  The walls are clad in bones and skulls from these human remains whose bones belong to people of all walks of light that were buried during the medieval times.

We were able to take away some thought provoking sayings that adorned the walls of the chapel:

"I leave, but I don't die"  -  "I die in the light."  - "Our bones that are here, wait for yours"

Incredibly deep, and so beautiful as to celebrate eternal memory. 
After that incredible sight, we ventured into the streets where we caught a glimpse of some stunning views!

This was followed by an incredible lunch that was one course after another, after another of delectable Portuguese food.  Amazing service throughout, this meal is definitely one we won't forget as we head to Estromoz for our stay before Lisbon.  We have a full day tomorrow in Lisbon, so a good night's rest is in order!