DAY 1: April 18-19
Reflection by Ryan O’Malley ’25
¡Olá! from Portugal.
BC High Choir has experienced a tiring and busy past 24 hours—from travel to waiting in never-ending customs lines to bus rides to and from the hotel—yet an exciting and adventurous first day in Portugal. From the dazzling sights of Lisbon to delectable, authentic Portuguese cuisine, the choir has enjoyed a range of unique activities and cannot wait for what is to come.
Beginning Friday night, the group sailed through Logan Airport check-in, security, and gate arrival, leaving plenty of time for students to disperse and savor a pre-flight dinner (mostly Wahlburgers). At the gate, students unwinded on their phones, competed in card games, and diligently caught up on school work until boarding around 10 pm.
With an on-time departure, the choir was off and away to Lisbon. Though bumpy at points, the flight was relatively smooth. During the 6 hours and 13-minute journey into Saturday morning, students slept, continued to chip away at JTP writing, and enjoyed a complimentary meal (if they were awake to order it).
Once touched down in Aéroport International de Lisbonne, the travel time only extended, with navigation of custom lines spanning what felt like the same time as the flight, but standing as opposed to sitting (2 hours and 29 minutes to be specific, but who’s counting?).
After inching through customs, the group met with tour guides Pablo and Gilberto and boarded the bus. On their ride to the hotel, students had the opportunity to observe the stunning landscape of the Lisbon metropolitan area (e.g. 1741 aqueduct, Jardim de Estrela, and Sanctuary of Christ the King) and learn about the region’s rich and ever-evolving history.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the choir briefly checked in and then headed to lunch, enjoying a buffet of diverse dishes: soup, rice, whiting fish, and desserts such as jello and sponge cake.
After lunch, students embarked on a comprehensive tour of the surrounding area. For starters, the group headed to the Sanctuary of Christ the King in Almada—a 361-foot-tall structure erected in 1959 as a form of gratitude for the Portuguese being spared from the destructive effects of WWII. Though temporarily berated by a brief rainstorm, students ascended the sculpture and experienced an incomparable, breathtaking view of Lisbon, Mar de Palha, and Ponte 25 de Abril from the sky. Of course, everyone bought some souvenirs along the way. Next, the tour shifted to bring the group back to Lisbon, spending time in the Park of Edward the Seventh, glancing at Castle Hill, and learning about the city’s reconstruction after the earthquake of 1755. Lastly, after a closer look at the statue of Pombal on the Avenue of Liberty, the choir headed to dinner.
Tucked away in the city’s heart, the restaurant of Santa Marta offered a vibrant, lively, and delicious conclusion to the day. Students enjoyed dishes from meatballs to flan to endless slices of bread before returning to the hotel and falling asleep (if they had not already been on the bus ride from dinner).
BC High Concert Choir 