[Pavel]

Montezinho is one of the many small old villages in the north east part of Portugal. Most of the residents are not young and rely mostly on farming. Some villages, including Montezinho are a bit more touristy and they will have a restaurant in additional to a more usual cafe and a pension or 2, with a few rooms to let. Many of the buildings are abandoned, but the villages are getting a new wind as some of the homes are reconstructed as summer homes. Most houses seem to have gardens with tiny plots of cabbage, potatoes, melons, grapes tomatoes, onions and salad and many have a small amount of lifestock, making the inhabitants virtually independent when it comes to food. In addition, truck pull in every few days and through loudspeakers anounce that they have meat or fish on sale and villagers supplement their supplies from the traveling butchers/fishmongers. Many of these villages are accessible only by roads that are narrow, twisting, no sholder and sheer wall on on side and a steap drop on the other. Many Portugese like to drive in the very center of these roads including into turns and move quickly. some of the roads have the width of a car. It was an experience at places. Many places my small rental car had to work hard to make it in the first gear. Here is a few photos from one of the few villages, each one having a title of the most typical Portugese village. All are right on the border with Spain. You figure.

a


b


c

[enviroguy]

This series, together with your commentary, is almost like a part of a travelogue. I certainly enjoy learning about different parts of the world, particularly those I'll probably never get to see. Thanks for posting these. I'll look forward to seeing more (with your informative comments) if you care to share. Regards.....Dennis

[Irma]

Beautiful place Pavel. I love the second one. So many flower pots...

The way you describe the driving made me smile. Somehow the way some people in my country would drive too... I can imagine that it was a bit difficult to get the right exposure in a place with hard contrast/shadows. The last one to me is very beautiful because of the details you see in the dark area and still a lot of detail and color in the background.

Thanks for sharing...

[Pavel]

Thanks Irma, I expose for the highlights. That means that sometimes I have to dance around problems in the shadows. Pavel