I think it’s fair to say, I’m a bit of a different person than I was when we moved here 😏. I prefer being this new person…he is kinder, more curious (and I was curious before 🤭), more forgiving and definitely happier 🥰. Great post as usual Ladonna, but this one truly resonates 😘
Such a lovely observation and gentle but firm advice piece. So enjoy your writing and relate strongly to your experiences though sometimes wonder if I was the person who forgot to pull the senha one time in the Farmácia. I most certainly learned falas Inglés? Right away though - of course once I learned to stumble through Portuguese it always worked better (somehow if I tried right away to speak English I was met with obstruction but when I tried Portuguese I was met with a friendly - oh English… not that I was mad about it).
Although I no longer have the joy of living in Portugal, I will always cherish my memories of the humble, patient, live-and-let-live Portuguese people. They seem to have a handle on what's worth getting pissy about, and what simply warrants a head shake and an eye roll. Mostly, it's the latter.
Wise counsel, indeed. I, too, share your sense of curiosity and humility about all the things I do not know, even very simple things, because this is a new country and culture. I have to ask ... is that a nose? a rocket? or a ...? I think it must be um nariz. ; )
Where are the Roman’s when you need them?, alas, even in modern civilized America we have lost the path of sustainable roads. As I write this from my front porch, 3 huge, noisy, expensive street sweepers are slowly grinding their way up my street, only the one in front is visible due the giant clouds of dust forming around them. They have water sprays but apparently don’t understand they must be turned on to function. The best part comes when they hit the 20sq foot gravel patch in the road that has no pavement on it. Due to a water main break 6 months ago, the asphalt was removed but never replaced. Street sweepers don’t preform optimally on gravel it seems.
Upon amiable communication with the city overlords, I am informed that this is a temporary fix and the entire water main for 15 blocks will be replaced so they don’t want to waste the $3 on asphalt until this occurs. They are not totally sure when this will happen but sometime this year. Oh and our water might be shut off and or tastes funny, not to worry as this will only be for a few months, goody.
This street has numerous multi million dollar victorian mansions on it, built at the height of the Montana gold rush, mine is not one of those mind you but I still pay substantial property taxes in the vague assumption that the money goes for prudent care and maintenance of the infrastructure that we all depend on.
Many pay over $10k a year to live in this paradise. Man think how cranky they are going to be. I’m starting to think about moving to a different 2nd world country very seriously as I’m sure they will be thinking the same thing shortly if not now. Maybe somewhere without roads just a donkey trails or Roman roads.
I think it’s fair to say, I’m a bit of a different person than I was when we moved here 😏. I prefer being this new person…he is kinder, more curious (and I was curious before 🤭), more forgiving and definitely happier 🥰. Great post as usual Ladonna, but this one truly resonates 😘
I subscribed to many substacks but there are only a few that I really relish reading. Yours is one of them.
Wow. Thanks for that high praise, Alice. I appreciate it.
Such a lovely observation and gentle but firm advice piece. So enjoy your writing and relate strongly to your experiences though sometimes wonder if I was the person who forgot to pull the senha one time in the Farmácia. I most certainly learned falas Inglés? Right away though - of course once I learned to stumble through Portuguese it always worked better (somehow if I tried right away to speak English I was met with obstruction but when I tried Portuguese I was met with a friendly - oh English… not that I was mad about it).
Ted Lasso doesn't seem like the sort of show you would watch, but your essay reminded me of this bit from it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWLoasvaFb8
I did indeed watch Ted Lasso. I’d forgotten about the darts. Thanks for this!
Although I no longer have the joy of living in Portugal, I will always cherish my memories of the humble, patient, live-and-let-live Portuguese people. They seem to have a handle on what's worth getting pissy about, and what simply warrants a head shake and an eye roll. Mostly, it's the latter.
Sitting with you in the wonder, and the beauty of the mystery. In gratitude for your simple instructions for experiencing freedom and joy❣️🙏🏽🌷
This gave me such a FEELING.
This was such a wonderful read. Especially your take on curiosity as a feeling to lean into. Good stuff girl!
Marvelous.
Wise counsel, indeed. I, too, share your sense of curiosity and humility about all the things I do not know, even very simple things, because this is a new country and culture. I have to ask ... is that a nose? a rocket? or a ...? I think it must be um nariz. ; )
It’s a nose!
Just getting the feel for and smell of the pavement! Great capture, again, LaDonna!
Where are the Roman’s when you need them?, alas, even in modern civilized America we have lost the path of sustainable roads. As I write this from my front porch, 3 huge, noisy, expensive street sweepers are slowly grinding their way up my street, only the one in front is visible due the giant clouds of dust forming around them. They have water sprays but apparently don’t understand they must be turned on to function. The best part comes when they hit the 20sq foot gravel patch in the road that has no pavement on it. Due to a water main break 6 months ago, the asphalt was removed but never replaced. Street sweepers don’t preform optimally on gravel it seems.
Upon amiable communication with the city overlords, I am informed that this is a temporary fix and the entire water main for 15 blocks will be replaced so they don’t want to waste the $3 on asphalt until this occurs. They are not totally sure when this will happen but sometime this year. Oh and our water might be shut off and or tastes funny, not to worry as this will only be for a few months, goody.
This street has numerous multi million dollar victorian mansions on it, built at the height of the Montana gold rush, mine is not one of those mind you but I still pay substantial property taxes in the vague assumption that the money goes for prudent care and maintenance of the infrastructure that we all depend on.
Many pay over $10k a year to live in this paradise. Man think how cranky they are going to be. I’m starting to think about moving to a different 2nd world country very seriously as I’m sure they will be thinking the same thing shortly if not now. Maybe somewhere without roads just a donkey trails or Roman roads.
Late reading your post ... with all sincerity, thank you for keeping me grounded as an immigrant in Portugal from US.