Gustine Mayor Pat Nagy took a self-funded trip to Gustine’s sister city, Angra do Heroísmo, located on the island of Terceira in the Azores recently to strengthen the bond between the two.
Nagy described Angra as a city rich in history and tradition. "Angra is a beautiful city with a long and rich history, steeped in traditions and culture. It has played many important roles in Portuguese history," he noted.
The Mayor highlighted the friendly and family-oriented culture of the island. "The people go out of their way to make you feel at home," he said. He was particularly impressed by the city's museum, which dates back to the 1600s and was previously used as a monastery and convent before becoming a museum. "It is absolutely a must-see for anyone who goes there," he added.
Nagy described the island's natural beauty, mentioning wild hydrangea bushes, volcanic explorations, and natural lava rock pools. "There are forests and beaches only a few minutes apart," he said, emphasizing the island's unique charm.
He observed the island's agricultural practices, noting the prevalence of smaller dairies and farms. "Because of logistics, many dairies take the milking machine out to the cows instead of bringing the cows in," he explained. He also described the hillside rock walls, built from rocks removed from fields to facilitate farming.
Nagy mentioned that Angra do Heroísmo is also a sister city to Gilroy and Tulare. A delegation from Angra visits annually to judge a Portuguese Philharmonic Band review, selecting a band to feature at the Sanjoanines celebration three years later. This year, the band from Tulare was chosen, and next year it will be the band from Livingston.
For those interested in learning more about Angra do Heroísmo, Nagy suggested exploring numerous articles and videos online. "There are many videos posted of this year's celebration on YouTube and Facebook. Search: Sanjoanines 2024," he recommended.
