Rizal’s First Sojourn in Europe

Sojourn Definition and Context

• "Sojourn" refers to a temporary stay in a specific location, often for travel, study, or leisure.
• Emphasizes that the stay is transient rather than permanent.

Rizal's Decision to Study Abroad

• Chose to study in Spain after completing four years in the medical course at the University of Santo Tomas.
• Approved by relatives and friends, including his brother Paciano and sister Saturnina.
• Parents and Leonor Rivera were not informed about his decision.

Travel to Spain (1882 – 1885)

• Secret mission to observe life and culture in Europe for future work towards liberation from Spanish rule.
• Departure kept hidden to evade the Spanish authorities and friars.
• Used the alias "Jose Mercado," based on his cousin from Biñan.

Journey Details

• Departed on May 3, 1882, aboard the Salvadora bound for Singapore.
• Captain Donato Lecha befriended Rizal and was noted for his refinement.
• Engaged in chess with older fellow passengers.

Arrival in Singapore

• Sighted Talim Island while approaching Singapore on May 8.
• Docked on May 9; registered at Hotel de la Paz and spent two days touring the city, an English colony.

From Singapore to Colombo

• Transferred to the Djemnah on May 11 for Europe.
• Reached Point Galle on May 17; described it as picturesque yet lonely.
• Enjoyed the beauty of Colombo, finding it more elegant than Singapore or Manila.
• Noted barren African coast and was amused by camels in Aden.
• Impressed by the moonlight in Suez, reminiscent of home.

Suez Canal and Port Terminus

• Suez Canal built by Ferdinand de Lesseps and inaugurated on November 17, 1869.
• Port Said serves as the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal.

European Experience: Naples and Marseilles

• June 11, 1882: Reached Naples, appreciated its business activity and beauty.
• Night of June 12, docked in Marseilles; visited Chateau d'If from "The Count of Monte Cristo."
• Spent two and a half days exploring Marseilles.

Life in Barcelona

• Wrote "Amor Patrio" (Love of Country), a nationalistic essay, under the pen name Laong Laan.
• Published in both Spanish and Tagalog in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882.
• Followed up with articles "Los Viajes" and "Revista de Madrid," though the latter was returned due to publication issues.
• Moved to Madrid in fall 1882.

Life in Madrid

• Enrolled on November 3, 1882, at the Universidad Central de Madrid for Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
• Studied painting and sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
• Occasionally indulged in lottery tickets as a personal extravagance.