Mascot is a suburb located in the inner-east of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated approximately 7 kilometers south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the Bayside Council local government area. Mascot is known for its close proximity to Sydney Airport, making it a popular choice for travelers and airline employees. The main idea is that Mascot is a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, known for its proximity to Sydney Airport. Mascot is a diverse and multicultural suburb, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The suburb is home to a range of businesses, including major companies such as Qantas and Sydney’s largest fruit and vegetable market.
Legend says that many years ago, where the Sete Cidades parish is located, there was a big kingdom with a beautiful, blue-eyed princess called Antília. She felt trapped by the castle walls and left daily to walk the fields in the region, where she met a green-eyed shepherd. They talked about their lives and dreams and quickly fell in love.
Along with Joao Rosa Boucas, the Exorcist of Barcelos, and Iara the Brazilian, Borges claimed to have been shown his healing mission in life in visions or dreams. Maybe I m the last of the line, he sighed, adding that instances of the two scourges, in any case, were less frequent than in his youth when villagers who dabbled in the occult often would put curses on their neighbors, their crops or their cattle.
The suburb is home to a range of businesses, including major companies such as Qantas and Sydney’s largest fruit and vegetable market. Mascot also has a number of parks and recreational facilities, providing residents and visitors with outdoor spaces to enjoy. The main idea is that Mascot is a diverse and multicultural suburb with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
Culture : Bewitched in Portugal : Exorcists, hypnotists and, yes, witches assembled in a rural village for a special congress.
It may be a new Europe, but a lot of the old ways live on in remote villages like this one, the site earlier this month of the seventh Congress of Women of Virtue and Healers. Witches to you.
There were no broomsticks, no pointed hats nor any black cats in sight, and the only caldron spotted was being used to heat up a potent local brew of moonshine. But the hundreds of participants and spectators were not disappointed.
A colorful list of celebrants included the Exorcist of Barcelos, famed for his power to drive the devil from people, places and even computers; Jose Borges, who says he can cure cancer with scorpion stings, and Iara the Brazilian, who performs pathology with the help of semi-precious stones and the sun’s rays.
AdvertisementAmong the witches, exorcists, hypnotists and mediums converging on this village--a traditional stopover on an ancient Christian pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain--came scores of serious scholars anxious to learn the secrets of alternative medicine that, peppered with pagan rites, is still widely used here in one of Europe’s poorest and most backward corners.
The congress, organized by Villar de Perdizes’ parish priest Father Antonio Fontes, began in 1980 as a backwater meeting of oddball anthropologists and local herbalists. It has since gained so much stature that this year, the European Community contributed $40,000 to help organize the gathering and publish its findings.
The congress is now officially dubbed the Congress of Popular Medicine, but locals still give it the more colorful name, or just call it “The Witches’ Meet.”
Papers delivered this year ranged from “Healing by the Power of the Holy Spirit” by Father Antonio Raposo, a Roman Catholic priest, through “Witches, Wizards and Wisemen” by Lisbon University lecturer Helena Neves, to “Linen in Popular Medicine” by Manuel Gens, one of many locals who swears by alternative cures.
“In the middle of this modern Europe, there is a very ancient world,” Fontes said. “So this region has been for centuries, and still is today. But not for much longer.
“The European Community is turning everything upside down here,” he explained. “And I feel like I must climb to the top of the trees and shout: ‘Come and see a world that is coming to an end”
AdvertisementThe region is called Tras-os-Montes, meaning “behind the mountains.” Sandwiched against Portugal’s mistrusted neighbor, Spain, it is a place of two seasons--scorching summer and freezing winter--where farmers have eked out a hardscrabble existence for centuries while young folk have emigrated to seek prosperity abroad.
Europe is still dotted with such regions, from Tras-os-Montes in the West to Transylvania in the East--regions seemingly bypassed by progress, where superstition rivals that found in the Third World and a belief in the occult goes hand in hand with faith in God.
Old traditions abound here: Cows still graze on common pasture land and the milk is shared among villagers; bread is baked in communal village ovens. Houses are built of huge granite blocks hewn from the surrounding hills. Upstairs are the living quarters, downstairs the stables where the body warmth from cattle and donkeys provide rudimentary central heating for their owners above. Most dwellings have a cross at the entrance to ward off the devil.
Since Portugal joined the European Community in 1986, millions of dollars of EC funds have flown into Tras-os-Montes, sponsoring new roads and better communications that now mean the area is not nearly so isolated as before.
But the region still has fewer telephones and televisions per inhabitant than other EC region and only one doctor for every 1,000 people, compared to the national average of one per 300 Portuguese.
The 800 villagers of Villar de Perdizes, whose average age is well over 50, are treated by a visiting doctor once a week.
“Most people come to me anyway,” said Ana Pita, a wizened 76-year-old known as Pitinha , who is the village’s resident herbalist. “My herbs are better than anything classical medicine has to offer. If I could read and write, I’d be rich.”
Although illiterate, her vast knowledge of traditional cures drew admiration from learned professional herbalists at the congress. Pitinha began learning herbal lore as a child when she began to ask neighbors for traditional remedies to cure her sick parents.
Although many locals consider her a bruxa (BROO-shah), or witch, she denies links to magic of any kind.
“I go to church every Sunday.”
But that, for many, is no guarantee she is not a witch.
Father Fontes, whose 18th-Century residence is packed with devil-like sculptures and books such as “The Dictionary of the Devil” and “The Book of Sects and the Occult,” says the dividing line between religion and traditional rituals and superstitions in Tras-os-Montes is hazy.
“Separating the sacred from the profane means the death of God in the people’s soul,” he said.
Parishioners still dress the statues of saints in the village chapel with gaudy silks and jewelry.
Most refuse to look over their shoulder after passing a crossroads, believing that will conjure the devil who waits for sinners at intersections.
Pre-Christian paintings of fertility rites and sun worship can be found on stones in and around Villar de Perdizes. Until a few years ago, Fontes said, pregnant women who feared their child would be still-born would walk one hour through forest for a pagan prenatal baptism with water from the river under the Misarela Bridge. The bridge, according to local legend, was built by Lucifer himself.
Manuel Narciso, an electrician from the central market town of Torres Vedras, was at the congress looking for a successor. An avowed witch, he said his powers in combatting two popular scourges--”the evil eye” and “envy sickness”--were passed down from his mother and grandmother, who served apprenticeship with Portugal’s famous Witch of Arruda, who died in 1972.
“My daughter doesn’t want to learn and my granddaughter doesn’t seem interested either,” he complained.
By the third day of the congress, he had found no suitable candidate to whom he could pass on his skill.
“Maybe I’m the last of the line,” he sighed, adding that instances of the two scourges, in any case, were less frequent than in his youth when villagers who dabbled in the occult often would put curses on their neighbors, their crops or their cattle.
“Such practices are disappearing with economic progress,” said Jose Martins, a sociologist from Lisbon’s Piaget Institute attending the congress. “But beliefs in such powers will not disappear--all you will see is change in the type of practices, a sort of professionalization of witchcraft.
“Many of the so-called witches here are writing their resumes by being at this congress,” he added.
Along with Joao Rosa Boucas, the Exorcist of Barcelos, and Iara the Brazilian, Borges claimed to have been shown his healing mission in life in visions or dreams.
Borges, who charges 7,000 escudos (40 dollars) for a sting delivered by small scorpions he finds locally, claims that 12 of the 500 cancer patients he has treated over the past decade have recovered completely.
Boucas said he does not charge for his services, which include banishing computer viruses via exorcism, but Iara was handing out T-shirts that read “Bare-handed Healing--Glands and Ganglions” and gave her telephone number in the nearby town of Chaves.
“Most people come to me anyway,” said Ana Pita, a wizened 76-year-old known as Pitinha , who is the village’s resident herbalist. “My herbs are better than anything classical medicine has to offer. If I could read and write, I’d be rich.”
One of the key features of Mascot is its excellent transport links. In addition to its close proximity to Sydney Airport, Mascot is serviced by several train stations, including Mascot Station and Domestic Airport Station, which provide easy access to the city and other parts of Sydney. There are also bus services that connect Mascot to surrounding suburbs. The main idea is that Mascot has excellent transport links, including train stations and bus services. In terms of housing, Mascot offers a range of options, including apartments, townhouses, and houses. The suburb has seen significant development in recent years, with the construction of several modern apartment complexes. This has attracted a mix of professionals, families, and students to the area. The main idea is that Mascot offers a range of housing options and has seen significant development in recent years. Overall, Mascot is a vibrant and convenient suburb, known for its proximity to Sydney Airport, its diverse population, and excellent transport links. Whether you're looking for a place to live, work, or visit, Mascot has something to offer. The main idea is that Mascot is a vibrant and convenient suburb with something to offer for residents, workers, and visitors..
Reviews for "The Thriving Music and Performing Arts Scene in Mascot, New South Wales"
1. John Smith - ★☆☆☆☆
I recently visited Mascot in New South Wales and was thoroughly disappointed. The area is incredibly congested and lacks any real charm or character. The streets were crowded with traffic, making it impossible to navigate and find parking. Additionally, the shops and restaurants were mediocre at best, offering nothing unique or exciting. Overall, Mascot was a forgettable experience and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable visit.
2. Emily Johnson - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for Mascot in New South Wales, but sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. The town seemed run-down and lacking in cleanliness. The streets were littered with trash and the buildings appeared dilapidated. The lack of green spaces or parks was also disappointing. The few attractions that were present were unimpressive and not worth the visit. Overall, I was underwhelmed by Mascot and would not choose to return or recommend it to others.
3. Michael Brown - ★★☆☆☆
Mascot in New South Wales left me feeling uninspired. The town seemed to lack any genuine personality or culture. The architecture was dull and the streets were filled with generic chain stores. The absence of independent businesses and local character was disheartening. Public transportation options were limited, making it difficult to navigate the area. Overall, Mascot felt like a forgettable suburb lacking anything to make it stand out from the countless others in the region.
4. Sarah Thompson - ★☆☆☆☆
Mascot in New South Wales left a lot to be desired. The town felt extremely industrial and lacked any charm or beauty. The constant noise and exhaust from the nearby airport made it impossible to enjoy the surroundings. The limited dining options were also disappointing, with only a handful of basic fast-food chains available. I would not recommend Mascot to anyone looking for a pleasant or picturesque experience.