So I rolled into Uni and the first thing they said to me was 'You're a wizard Crissy' and with a swish of their traje (Harry Potter style uniform), they disappeared into the blue wall tiles. Well it would be pretty sweet if it happened, and even if it did I'd be sworn to wizardy secrecy, so I couldn't tell you anyway. Many students here swear that Coimbra was the inspiration for JK Rowlings amazing best seller, and when I first walked through the court yards and halls stacked high with shelf upon shelf of yellowy books, I believe them. Coimbra is the most beautiful place to study. I look forward to the walk in every morning, even if it means facing the dreaded 'monumentais' (stairs) because I know what is waiting at the top of the hill. It's pure amazing. If a little disorientating, but this is coming from me (remember the Pingo Doce incident?).
My faculty (Letras) is said to be the oldest of all the buildings and is packed with paintings, books and classrooms. Technology in the classrooms is more than a little outdated, but I love it this way. Blackboards in every classroom makes me wanna grab some chalk and get creative, a lack of working projectors means we have to listen and use our imaginations and wooden desks, with fold down wooden seats and a place to stash your bag, are pretty welcomed in the 34ยบ heat.
There is one computer room with 20 computers in it. A sure outrage in Southampton, but with a near 360 degree of the city I don't see anyone complaining as I take time out to write this blog. Coimbra is pretty dreamy and if you do happen to chose it for your year abroad I don't think you will be disappointed with the place. Even the statues look happy to be here, even though they have no choice.
One really good system they have here which I think should be adopted at my Uni, unless online access to core texts becomes available, is photocopying centers, where only the pages of exercises you need are copied to save on students spending 4 times as much on the book. It's pretty efficient, but of course you need to get a ticket and wait your turn like everywhere else around here.
The teachers here are also very friendly and willing to help and I would recommend the Portuguese for ERASMUS students course that they run here. It's slow paced but great for solidifying grammar and getting to know other ERASMUS students in the same situation as you.
Since I have been in Coimbra, I have spent 2 weekends in a row at Figueira da Foz, which is a beach about an hour away by train. Firstly the train is quite cheap at 4.90 Euros return, which makes my fiver single to Reading from Bracknell for a shopping fix seem like a con. Secondly the trains aren't that bad here and are a nice way of seeing some of the countryside. The waves in Figueira are massive and your can definitely surf there if that's your thing. I wish I could say it was my thing since surfing looks super cool, but unfortunately my balance is as good as my sense of direction. The beach is huge with loads of space for sunbathing and there is also a market nearby which sells fresh fruit, bread and deli things. You don't need to take a picnic because you can buy it all there. A carboot-style market is also a cool feature on (I think) the first Saturday of the month where you can pick up some nice bits and bobs. Therefore Figueira is a cheap, awesome place to go and really recommend it.
