Portugal: Humble Alentejo not without charm

(Tribune Media Services) -- Ninety minutes after pulling out of Lisbon, I'm driving into a different world -- humble but proud Evora, capital of Portugal's Alentejo region.

Alentejo is a vast and arid land -- the bleak interior of the country where cork seems to be the dominant industry. The rolling hills are covered with cork trees. With their bark peeled away, they remind me of St. Bartholomew and, like him, seem to suffer in silence.

Arriving in Evora, I find a Deadwood kind of town with barely a building over three stories high, yet the Corinthian columns of a stately Roman temple crown the skyline. Just outside of town stand 92 stones erected by ancient locals -- a Stonehenge-type celestial calendar. Evora sits on lots of history.

The people of Alentejo are uniformly short, look at tourists suspiciously, and are the butt of jokes in this corner of Europe. One example: "There was an Alentejo farmer who nearly succeeded in teaching his burro to live without eating. He was so excited that he couldn't wait to tell his friends. Then his burro died."

I'm here researching my Portugal guidebook with the help of local experts. Libanio, my Evora guide, circles the words "arid" and "suspiciously" in the book and does his best to turn my chapter into a promo for Alentejo. Actually, in April, it is lush. But I'll stand by "suspicious."

Libanio says it's part of these people's character to laugh at themselves. He asks me, "How can you tell a worker is done for the day in Alentejo? When he takes his hands out of his pockets." He then continues, more philosophically, "In your land, time is money. Here in Alentejo, time is time. We take things slow and enjoy ourselves."

One advantage to hardscrabble Alentejo -- and most of Portugal -- is the cost of travel despite the weak dollar. Here are a few examples: getting from the Lisbon airport to my hotel on public transportation -- $2; typical taxi rides -- $6; glass of hearty red wine in a characteristic pub -- $1.50; dinner of fish, potatoes and salad with a glass of wine -- $15; admission to the most expensive sight in town -- $7.50; new cell phone (unlocked for use anywhere in Europe with $15 of pre-paid minutes) -- $60.

While this corner of Portugal is humble, there is a distinct pride. Every country has its Appalachia and its Ozarks. I'm impressed when a region that others may insult has strong local pride. But I often wonder if it's an honest feeling or just making the best of the cards you're dealt.

For Alentejanos, quality and authenticity require the respect of tradition. For instance, even the fanciest restaurants refuse to ornament a standard, rustic dish. And they love their sweets so much they seem to know the history of each tart.

During my research rounds, I find a romantic little restaurant that offers live fado singing. Esperanza, the woman who runs the place, explains that she wants the diners to finish by 10 p.m. so the musicians can perform without waiters wandering around. I'm impressed by her commitment to the art.

For my last stop of a very long day, I sneak in between songs and sit in the back of Esperanza's place, hoping to be wowed by the ambience.

The traditional fisherman widow's blues, fado is like musical oysters -- sexy and full of the sea. While most tour groups go to big, stuffy venues, I like the amateur bars where old-timers croon and diners pay only for their sardines and wine. Tonight, a diminutive Norah Jones look-alike wails soulfully while the man next to me says, "In Portugal the women are like sardines -- the smaller the better."

During some applause, I duck out and head home, happy to affirm my hunch that this experience merits a spot in my new edition.

When I am half a block away, Esperanza runs out the door and charges after me. I think she is angry that I left without paying a cover charge, or the door made too much noise, or I insulted the musicians. Like a guilty little boy, I nearly turn down an alley and run away. Then I decide to turn back and "face the music."

She apologizes for not welcoming me and begs me to come back for a glass of port and to meet the musicians. The rest of the evening is a plush experience. Next year travelers with my book will help Esperanza -- whose name means hope -- keep the art of fado alive in Evora.

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. E-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com, or write to him c/o P.O. Box 2009, Edmonds, Wash. 98020.

Copyright 2007 RICK STEVES, DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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