DAY 3, April 21
Reflection by Sebastian Ortiz Gonzalez ’25
Today’s adventure through Sintra felt like a walk through a magical tale. The BC High Choir’s day was full of grandeur, history, and yes, ice cream for some of us.
After an early wake-up, the group shared breakfast together. After we ate, we gathered in the hotel lobby for a brief warm-up, filling the space with ‘Canção do Mar’, a hauntingly beautiful Portuguese melody in honor of our tour guide Gilberto. We also sang Happy Birthday to Ben who turned seventeen today.
Then, we were off to Sintra. The road wound up through lush, misty hills, and eventually we reached the Pena Palace and Park, a multicolor dream built high above the clouds. Originally a monastery, the site was transformed in the 19th century into a palace by King Ferdinand II who was known for his interesting tastes. After the death of his first wife (with whom he had eleven children), Ferdinand fell for Elise Hensler, a Swiss-American opera singer. Their relationship sparked royal scandal, and tabloids of the time had a field day. Eventually, Elise was granted the title Countess of Edla, and she helped design much of the surrounding park, introducing exotic plant species like giant sequoias and crafting chalet-style homes that quickly became fashionable among European nobility.
Inside the palace, we were greeted by ‘Romantic’ architecture, with a variety of influences including Moorish and Hindu. From Triton statues that sparked conversations about their resemblance to the Starbucks logo, to molded stucco ceilings imitating Moorish tile work, the space was a visual feast. The yellow exterior walls, a color linked to the Braganza royal family, glowed in the fog and mist. And the intricate tile work, some dating back to the 16th century, reflected Portugal’s layered history, with references to many of its most iconic monuments.
After descending from Pena, we explored Sintra, shopped, and ate lunch. The group then made its way to the Quinta da Regaleira. Designed by Luigi Manini, who incorporated the Portuguese Gothic rope designs into his Italian architecture. We wandered past carved towers and peered into the ‘Initiation Well’ with its spiral staircase descending into shadow and legend.
Before dinner, we made a quick stop to admire the Atlantic Ocean and the Cresmina Dunes in Cascais. We stood in awe of the crashing waves, steep cliffs, and a horizon that seemed to stretch forever.
We boarded the bus once more, heading to a nice meal at A Quinta, where food and laughter flowed. Spirits were high, stomachs full, and the bus buzzed with energy.
Throughout the bus ride back to the hotel and in the lobby, lots and lots of firm reminders from Dr. Rozenberg about behavior (and JUG threats) brought the day to a close.
Today, Sintra and Cascais gifted us with stories of love and scandal, mystery and architecture, harmony and history. And despite the morning rain, it was an incredible day.
BC High Concert Choir 