Palmerston North, Knowledge City always had a bit of a ring to it. Putting aside the matter of whether Knowledge Moderately-Sized Inland Town might be more appropriate, the slogan captured in some small way that deep thirst for learning so evident in those spirited late-night debates over the merits of Midway's beef black bean versus Fishtown's fried rice. The sphere may be the ideal form, but it doesn't come with a free 1.5 liter Coke on all orders over 20 bucks like a Manawatu Street fried chicken wing.
Anyway, Knowledge City has got nothing on Coimbra, Knowledge Fortress. Because how many universities were founded in 1290 and hold their lectures in the keep?
I mean sure, the SSLB block looks like the decaying concrete sarcophagus of a failed nuclear reactor, but that still hasn't earned it UNESCO World Heritage Status. On the other hand, University of Coimbra students only have to wander out into the hallway for their art history class.
Once again Portugal proves adept making history hip. After all these buff profs didn't get the confidence to strut around sans gown by eating ice cream did they? Looks like the #weeel organic froyo truck is already on tenure track.
Let Knowledge Bring Light to the World. Ok sure, but I really must get going, I need to drop my assignment in the arrow slit before they raise the drawbridge at sundown.
Beta Kappa Psi doesn't sound as cool when half the world speaks Greek.
There are worst views to be confronted with when pulling an all-nighter on the eve of finals. Like a bleak, windswept gravel pit for example.
Let this be a lesson to you kids, vistas like this do not come standard with a humanities degree.
So Dad, I'm thinking of majoring in artificial intelligence. Ok but how about you try natural intelligence first, you can start by not shoving that straw in your ear.
Today's game plan: five sites in one day. The itinerary would be challenging without a kid. With a kid the operation is one stall in a roundabout away from catastrophe.
Hey when you're circumnavigating the globe with a bunch of dudes in a 50 foot wooden crate you've gotta do what you've gotta do.
Dad would you say that column is more in the neo-gothic or Byzantine archetype? Son, what did I tell you about the humanities? The only archetype you'll be studying there is Carl Jr's versus Burger King.
On second thought this is, like, old time-gothic.
Very thoughtful of those monks to build such a solid changing table.
You can run, but you can't hide. Even if you find the secret passage they'll smell your diaper all the way in Spain.
It's only stop two and the monasteries are already starting to blur. That's the problem with these business majors, can't tell Van Gogh from Vanguard.
Oh wait, this one has a unique feature: it's not actually finished. Just like most humanities degrees.
Uncle Devan, tell me the one about midiclorians again.
Seen one monastery you've seen them all. It's like the Death Star, they're all pretty much the same once you get down into the trench/superstructure/planet core.
If you get stuck in the hedge row maze don't call Mommy, she's the one who couldn't find the Cook Street market. Hint: it's on Cook Street.
Mommy, do the fish have UNESCO status too? They better otherwise a miso-infused goldfish would hit the spot.
Third monastery of the day. So far no differentiating factors other than trudging around them has gotten progressively hotter as the day advances.
Ah ha, here's something new: a giant oven. Only a matter of time before some hipster chef revives the lost art of grilling meat under a giant ceramic range hood. There's always someone who will pay a premium for a curated convection current.
Dad, why did they make this play mat so hard?
Keep your eyes open kiddo this is usually the moment where the dragons come swooping in and wreck everything.
Final stop of the day, the ancient walled town of Obidos. If HBO needs a Game of Thrones set the walls would be the perfect place for the crowds to chant shame, shame, shame as Rock atones for his latest stall.
I can almost see the New World from here. Why not give me a blank check from your treasury and I'll go claim it for you.
If you're relying on them to defend the walls you're going to need to find someone to cover at breakfast, lunch, second lunch, snack, afternoon tea, and dinner time.
It seems my Portuguese is better than I thought. Don't even need Google translate.
The next hipster craze: the asymmetric single speed.
Dad how come we don't have this in Manhattan? Well son, the trees can't afford the property tax.
One art museum, three monasteries, and an ancient walled town all in one long day. And one longer blog post.
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