Rizal's Travels and Nationalism

Study Notes

Rizal's Travel Abroad
Rizal's first tour of Europe began on May 3, 1882, on board the steamship "Salvadora"
In Colombo, he was impressed by the scenic beauty and elegant buildings, considering it more beautiful than Singapore, Point Galle, and Manila
On June 2, 1882, he arrived in Naples, where he observed business activity, lively people, and panoramic beauty
Second Tour of Europe
Rizal arrived in Barcelona on June 16, 1882, where he was welcomed by schoolmates at the Ateneo in Plaza De Cataluña café
He studied sculpture, drawing, and art in San Carlos (Craig) and attended reunions of Filipino students in the house of Pedro & Antonio Paterno
In Madrid, he enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid in Medicine and Philosophy & Letters on November 3, 1882
Impressions of America
Rizal saw America for the first time and was impressed by the material progress, natural beauty, drive and energy of Americans, and high standard of living
He noted racial equality between black and white Americans
However, he did not like the Americans, calling one American passenger a "hambuguera" and commenting that "America is a great country, but it still has many defects. There is no real civil liberty."
London
Rizal stayed in London to improve his English language skills, study and annotate Antonio Morga's "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas", and continue his fight against Spanish tyranny
He was concerned about sad news from home, including persecution of Filipino patriots, Calamba tenants, and himself
Rizal's Romantic Affairs
In London, Rizal stayed with the Beckett family as a boarder, where he met Gertrude Beckett, with whom he had a short-lived romantic affair
He also had a romantic relationship with Nelly Boustead, a half-Filipina and half-European woman, which was part of a love triangle with another suitor, Luna