The first one dates back to a long time ago when we were taking lessons in the beautiful portuguese language and suddenly came up against the imperative. We haven’t done that in the dutch language for a long time. I only know the famous slogan just after the war: “Help each other, buy Dutch goods!” […]
Portuguese-Dutch culture shock Read More »
He spent weeks preparing. Neighbor Paul made every effort to make his friends feel at home. With a great result. Those friends have also become friends of Termas da Azenha At least I hope so … It is actually quite a bold statement, I don’t even know how they read this … but let’s assume
Friends of friends are friends of Termas da Azenha Read More »
It all seems to be quite a delicate matter. One square centimetre of your body that you can’t use, and you know it pretty well. One square millimetre misplaced, and you see it. It matters when you’re trying to sew a kimono together A surgeon certainly knows that too. The surgeon who sewed my finger
Sewing Kimonos and Fingers Together Read More »
We have a very nice president, Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa. He is very popular, and could easily be re-elected, if this were not his last term. He is always affectionately called Marcelo in popular parlance. A man without pretensions who simply stands in line at the supermarket. He received an honorary doctorate from
Our Marcelo receives an honorary doctorate Read More »
“That contractor doesn’t know what to do anymore either,” says amiga J., who is telling me a wonderful story about her Ukrainian-Russian neighbour Maria over coffee. Maria is struggling with her Portuguese contractor, who according to him “has done everything possible”. Foreign approach to Portuguese architecture Maria wanted a roof window. Absolutely. Now. Can’t live
Foreign decisions on Portuguese architecture Read More »
The president of Vinha da Rainha stands at the top of the stairs: “Bom dia, dona Helena” and gives me a hearty handshake. That’s what it’s called in portuguese, the president of the sub-municipality. The mayor. And translated, I’m dona Helena. He announces the arrival of four other presidents Next Friday – when you read
Four presidents visiting Read More »
Last week I ended the blog with: “More on that the coming week.” That “more” is about the family that has been staying with us for a while now, and is looking for their own place with more foreigners with small children around. Is Portugal being flooded with foreigners? Most foreigners come from Brazil. Not
Foreigners in Portugal Read More »
“Your guests are here,” Broes warns me, when I’m busy on the veranda of Casa Palmeira. They are expected, they have responded to last week’s blog. Nice reactions from potential new tenants, in Portugal and abroad I honestly have not expected so many reactions, but of course it’s great. I walk over to the family
New tenants? And men you can count on Read More »
“Could also be a handy tenant” I say to a friend, when we chat again, “one could combine the two. Then I’ll offer one or more months rent-free – depending on what we can agree.” She laughs out loud: “Yes, you can offer that, hahaha! I have no idea where you could find them though,
Wanted: new tenants and handy volunteers Read More »
What every parent knows: your children only stay with you for a limited time. What every emigrated parent knows: when they return to the old mother country – for whatever reason – you can’t just drop by for a cup of coffee and a chat. For emigrants, it’s mainly digital contact It’s a blessing that
