I had already spoken to her on the phone about how to get there. “Can you please send that description by email and on the phone, because we are not very good with computers,” and of course that is possible. “I will send you the link in the confirmation email,” I answer, but no, that […]
Visit of a renown sculptor Read More »
The itinerary was there, the mood for it was certainly there, and so the reservation had been made. On a beautiful day in February, the following email arrived. Whether I could organize a fado evening as a surprise for her birthday “Hi Ellen,Would you like to do something for us?We will arrive at your place
Fado and in the King’s Sleeve in Coimbra Read More »
The following all comes from a find at the Ecoponto: a mirror with a richly decorated gold frame and a 3-D Jesus in the middle. After all, Easter is about the crucifixion of Jesus, right? Since I love Catholic kitsch, I took it even though it was broken. Broken – a nice metaphor for a
Easter 2024, from the human world Read More »
“What do you think? Is cronyism a stop on the way to corruption?” I ask that question to a few people I know well, because it has been a theme since our previous government was accused of corruption. Last Sunday were the Portuguese parliamentary elections The previous government fell because there were serious doubts about
The Portuguese elections Read More »
They always hear that I’m not really portuguese. My accent betrays me – apparently, but I don’t hear it myself. I can always tell about other foreigners from which country they originate, with the english being the easiest, followed closely by the germans. Language experts claim that portuguese is five times more difficult to learn
Portuguese language and pronunciation Read More »
All in the same line, going to the same city, seeing the same things, and then posting it all on Facebook or Insta. Lisbon is choking with tourists. You stumble upon them at the Torre de Belém, at the famous elevator to the upper town, at all the tiled churches, recommended fado evenings, hip restaurants,
All tourists are crazy (about authenticity) Read More »
Carnival and Valentine in one week. Even better: right after each other. If you went completely crazy during Carnival, you have to go romantic the next day – perhaps with a huge hangover. Oops. In Lazarim they celebrate a special kind of carnival In Lazarim – in the north between Vila Real and Viseu –
Carnival and Valentine Read More »
Foster son Hugo had to leave in a hurry, already late for work, but unfortunately – a huge semi-trailer with a house container on top suddenly drove up, and the driver asked where he had to go, and thus got in the way. All he had to do was turn the bend, to the old
The Mondego takes a detour Read More »
The screen door of room 2 makes a “schreeeeeech” noise across the floor. I always lift it a little, but of course the guests don’t know that door like I know it. The sliding door of the adjacent living room goes “zzzzzzztpoom”. I can hear that when I’m sitting in the kitchen waiting for breakfast
The first guests and a dead hawk Read More »
I once worked for a portuguese estate agency. That was in the Dreamtime, when we were still dreaming of a better future in Portugal. Working for the agency was an excellent introduction to the portuguese culture. What I found striking then, and what has changed a lot in the 20 years that we now live
Portuguese culture: your own private junk yard Read More »
