Photographs from my documentary class excursion through Lisbon, Portugal and the Azorean island of São Miguel. Shot on Canon 60D.
In March 2013, I joined a small team of documentary filmmakers and set out to capture the beauty and magnificence of Lisbon, Portugal and the Azorean island of São Miguel.
After navigating through many airports, sleeping on terminal gate floors, and chasing after shuttle buses we arrived at our guesthouse in Lisbon. Our first excursion through the city was an unforgettable first taste of a new culture.
On the second day I stood at the hilltop citadel of Castelo de São Jorge and I realized how important this unique sight will be to the rest of my life. As I carefully peered over the edge, my heart sank to see such architecture bearing a beautiful union of history and modernity. There were so many other exciting things to do and sadly not enough time to take advantage of it all. Within a couple of days, we left to begin our adventures in the Azores.
São Miguel, formed by volcanic earth and shaped by the Atlantic, is home to green pastures and crystal blue waters. The rolling hills are occupied by modest farmers and grazing cattle. We stayed in Vila Franca do Campo and used a rental car to freely get around the mountainous landscape. On our daily jaunts we hiked in the subtropical forests, explored black sand beaches, and swam in the therapeutic hot springs. At night we wandered the bustling streets of Ponta Delgada and enjoyed delicious, fresh, and homegrown meals. Quickly picking up common Portuguese phrases, we were just beginning to feel at home when it was time to return to Lisbon once again.
By our final night in Lisbon, I felt different. Somewhere in the whirlwind of cultural exchange I had transformed from naive tourist into a world traveller and I loved it. I had broken my classroom routine, but felt like I was finally learning something that no text book could ever teach me.
If only these photographs could capture the sounds, smells, and true essence of the places that I was so fortunate to visit. However, these photos are now reminders of how this experience has changed how I see myself and my interaction with the world. I am so glad to have visited and hope to engage in more adventures like this.
