“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 »
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 »
You can sit and sputter in the car, especially these days, because then people just think that you are talking on the phone hands-free. “For goodness sake, just leave the potholes as they are, but make a “cycle path”.” I splutter happily to myself (because Mira has stopped listening for a long time). As if
Herds of brightly colored men cycling Read More »
For reasons that don’t really matter, I’ve been in contact with a lawyer a lot over the past two years. I helped someone sell several houses, and that’s where the services of a lawyer can be very useful. If you are going to buy a house in Portugal, you hire a lawyer This “compra e
About a Lawyer and eggnog with whipped cream Read More »
I hear them screaming when I’m about to fall asleep, and I have to let it sink in that this is reality and I haven’t arrived in Dreamland yet. I still listen carefully, and then I think: “By the time I get my clothes on and find my shoes, it’s already too late.” (I don’t
A hungry fox, a lonely dog, and a lot of dead bodies Read More »
