My cousin Judith wasn’t far from us this week – but she was far too busy trying to keep herself going so she didn’t come by. She’s forgiven, because it was only for a week.
A single holiday on the waves
She went surfing in Ericeira (“best waves in Europe!”) with a group of like-minded people, about half/half m/f, same age group, same level of education. “It’s not easy to keep myself going!” she texted, but she only meant surfing, because that’s the only thing she’s a beginner at. In a group of strangers, she keeps going just fine. “Super fun, a really nice group!”
If you’re a social person, and you like being around people, but you’re not in a relationship, it’s often quite difficult to choose a holiday. What are you going to do? Judith is part of a group of friends, about 12 fun girls who have kept in touch since school.
They regularly go on adventures together, in whatever combination, but this time it was not possible for various reasons. And it is also nice to do something different, and get to know other people. That is possible on such a themed single holiday.
In Portugal, 43.5% of the population is single
That is called “solteiro/solteira” here – with the distinction between male and female. That is logical, the entire language is permeated with it. Everything is male or female. Now that 43.5% creates a false image, because there are only so many registered as single, but that only means that they are not married. (Fun fact: Portugal legalized same-sex-marriage in 2010, and announced that in the media with a photo of the first marriage of two women.)
It doesn’t mean that they actually live alone.
If you have a “união de facto”, a cohabitation contract, you are still not married, and therefore “solteiro/solteira” – so, single. In the Netherlands you are no longer allowed to say living alone, because that’s sad; it should be single, because then at least that’s hip.
Which proves that single people are still not really taken seriously, and that married or living together is still the norm. That has not been true for a long time, if you can believe those researches. In both Portugal and the Netherlands (and elsewhere), the trend is towards being single.
Whatever the case, if you’re fed up being single, the possibilities to meet someone organically have changed somewhat. That used to be through the church, club life, scouting or the café. The church has suffered quite a bit because people no longer believe in God-the-Father-with-a-beard in heaven on his throne, with a choir of angels behind him, and Son Jesus on the cross.
Which is to say that secularization has also hit hard here. The church and scouting have been replaced by summer parties and festivals. The café has been replaced by dating apps, but a large group of people are apparently starting to come back from that too.
Then you have the option of a single theme-holiday
Not so bad, I think. No matter how it goes, you’ll have a fun week!
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We moved here in 2000 from Rotterdam, Holland to the Termas-da-Azenha, Portugal.
A big step, especially with two small children.
We are busy to rebuild one of portugals cultural heirlooms: Termas-da-Azenha, an old spa which has been turned into several holiday houses, rooms and a campsite.
You’ll find mosaics and paintings everywhere.
Since 2018 we call ourselves the first B&B&B in the world – Bed & Breakfast & Bathrobes. You can buy a home-made unique bathrobe/housecoat with us.
Each week a little blog about what is happening around us. An easy read. A few minutes in another world. A little about what it going on in Portugal. If you plan your holiday to Portugal, it might be a nice preparation
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