Your updates are as always, a delight. Thanks for sharing that point about expats vs. immigrant. I was technically an expat in Singapore when I was working for a Wall St. bank but I was definitely separate from the white/wealthy/elitist/bougie Americans who only hung out at the 'American' club. I happily spent my time w/ locals and explored the country. Why visit another country if you don't want to interact w/ locals and just hang out w/ other Americans? SMH.
When I moved to San Diego, I found it odd that everyone was so friendly. I had lived my entire life in New England where people are not unfriendly, they just have established communities. I expect it is analogous there.
I was quite confused that Memrise thought that I needed to know how to say “hatred corrodes the soul” many lessons before learning words like “rice” and “beef.” There was also a phrase like “the clinic is next to the train station “ in a lesson about telling people you found them attractive. Maybe I am older than their target audience? (That being said, babble for Italian teaches you to order an Aperol spritz whereas the German includes phrases like “the paper is under the printer.”).
Moving to St. Louis from Connecticut was a big adjustment. Whenever we were out walking people would say hi, maybe stop to chat. For the first week every time it happend we turned around to see who was behind us.
Nice descriptions! Here in Madeira, the two cheek thing is often paired with a real hug. It's great. As for "rainy seasons," we moved here from Olympia, WA! You don't even know rain!!!! 😏
As always I enjoyed your reflections on life in Lisbon. It's easier to picture you there now running up and down the hills, admiring the views, and generally enjoying life. ❤️
Some people jog, but they choose where to jog. In Monsanto woods - along beaches, near the river, in some parks, but we don't do it in «normal» streets, avenues, and so on. Normally here people run in a natural setting, park, wood, beach, near water, etc.
Good insights. For us, here on the farm, the rainier the winter the better. That means the reservoir in our irrigation district will have enough water to give us sufficient water for our plants. We have been here for 4 years and every winter is different. We were lucky in the winter of 2019/2020 as we had just bought our house, fully furnished, and found out it needed a new roof. I came here in late Feb 2020 to watch over the project. By new roof I mean complete new roof. For about 3-4 weeks in March 2020 the house was open to the elements. Luckily there was no rain.
Some 20 years ago I went to grad school in Germany with other international students and those from Mexico would write "jajajaja" and "jejejeje" in messages/e-mails (I have a Spanish last name with "ja" pronounced as "ha" so I got it, no problem.) 😆 On the flip side, I learned soon after that those who spoke or were studying German saw those same words and in their heads they read as "yes, yes, yes" or "yeah, yeah, yeah". The laughter disappeared, replaced with words of serious affirmation, ahahaha. ☺️
I remember talking about developing social networks when we met you guys for lunch. I think it was Scott who mentioned that the fact that you basically turned your world around, moved out of your comfort zone and moved to another country … and that you selected the same country … gives you a shared experience as a starting point when you meet other immigrants.
I'm glad you two did this while you are young enough to adapt to all the changes. I'm sure you will be fluent in Portuguese eventually. I'm glad it's all going well now and that you have good friends and a nice life there.
Glad you have found so many friends here! It has taken us a year to build relationships which are just starting to bear fruit if you will. We most recently came from an unusually friendly town in the US, so I have to remind myself of that. When we went back in June, 19 friends came to dinner that first night via word of mouth just that afternoon. We sea h gained 5 kg eating with everyone who wanted to see us. So I was a bit homesick when I returned. Since we live in the Eastern Algarve, we need the fall/winter rain, which we got way too little of. Summer arrived relatively late, thank goodness. Interesting the variations within the country. We would never refer to ourselves as immigrants down here. We are full time resident retirees. The Portuguese here are less worried about us driving up the cost of housing and more worried about the immigrants from Brazil, Africa and India/Pakistan who keep wages too low to live off of.
I'm certain you will find your way to a true community. We found MeetUp to be very helpful to find other people with similar interests: board gaming, hiking, book club, improv comedy.....
I enjoy your blog posts and appreciate the depth of your reflections. I differ with your statement that (American) expats are driving up housing costs. Statistics show that 20% of Portuguese rural residents have migrated to Lisbon and Porto in recent years, putting a tremendous strain on availabikity of housing. Furthermore, the great majority of immigrants to Portugal are Brazilians, followed by a list of other foreign nationals. American "expats" don't even rank in the top 10%. We American immigrants must be mindful of our impact on the economy and culture of our adopted country, but I don't think the housing problems fall on our shoulders.
Watching Portugal v. France in the Euros as I read/type. I hope you get to experience the energy and zeal of the populace if Portugal goes through to the semis and beyond!
It was a frustrating and sad ending, especially for Pepe. One PK hits the post and the party ends. It is, as they say, a funny (and cruel) old game. On to the World Cup.
Your updates are as always, a delight. Thanks for sharing that point about expats vs. immigrant. I was technically an expat in Singapore when I was working for a Wall St. bank but I was definitely separate from the white/wealthy/elitist/bougie Americans who only hung out at the 'American' club. I happily spent my time w/ locals and explored the country. Why visit another country if you don't want to interact w/ locals and just hang out w/ other Americans? SMH.
I am completely with you. Some people who come here try to change it so it's more like home. It's sad, and leaves a bad impression.
When I moved to San Diego, I found it odd that everyone was so friendly. I had lived my entire life in New England where people are not unfriendly, they just have established communities. I expect it is analogous there.
I was quite confused that Memrise thought that I needed to know how to say “hatred corrodes the soul” many lessons before learning words like “rice” and “beef.” There was also a phrase like “the clinic is next to the train station “ in a lesson about telling people you found them attractive. Maybe I am older than their target audience? (That being said, babble for Italian teaches you to order an Aperol spritz whereas the German includes phrases like “the paper is under the printer.”).
Moving to St. Louis from Connecticut was a big adjustment. Whenever we were out walking people would say hi, maybe stop to chat. For the first week every time it happend we turned around to see who was behind us.
Hatred corrodes the soul. Go figure.
Nice descriptions! Here in Madeira, the two cheek thing is often paired with a real hug. It's great. As for "rainy seasons," we moved here from Olympia, WA! You don't even know rain!!!! 😏
Definitly you were well prepared for it!
We had tropical storms, but it wasn't so bad on the island - or we were just so happy to be here, it didn't matter. :-)
Well please do get in touch when you are here!
As always I enjoyed your reflections on life in Lisbon. It's easier to picture you there now running up and down the hills, admiring the views, and generally enjoying life. ❤️
Definitely enjoying ti here! I wouldn't say I RUN up the hills! However, I no longer turtle up the hills, so I'm getting there!
Actually that's an interesting thing. There are NO joggers here!
We see joggers in Madeira. And I turtle up the hills faster and with more breath than I did a year ago! Lol. I consider myself an immigrant also.
Jogging isn't necessary!😁
ahaha!
Some people jog, but they choose where to jog. In Monsanto woods - along beaches, near the river, in some parks, but we don't do it in «normal» streets, avenues, and so on. Normally here people run in a natural setting, park, wood, beach, near water, etc.
Also, I consider myself an immigrant as we have no real intention of returning to the states. Next year we will be applying for our citizenship.
Already! Wow! Congratulations! We have 3 years to go. I suspect we'll use a lawyer, but we haven't decided yet.
Good insights. For us, here on the farm, the rainier the winter the better. That means the reservoir in our irrigation district will have enough water to give us sufficient water for our plants. We have been here for 4 years and every winter is different. We were lucky in the winter of 2019/2020 as we had just bought our house, fully furnished, and found out it needed a new roof. I came here in late Feb 2020 to watch over the project. By new roof I mean complete new roof. For about 3-4 weeks in March 2020 the house was open to the elements. Luckily there was no rain.
My mom's side were farmers. Whenever it rains, especially in a drought stricken area like this, I am happy. Especially if it is a good soaking rain.
Congrats on the new roof! That must have been a little tense!
Some 20 years ago I went to grad school in Germany with other international students and those from Mexico would write "jajajaja" and "jejejeje" in messages/e-mails (I have a Spanish last name with "ja" pronounced as "ha" so I got it, no problem.) 😆 On the flip side, I learned soon after that those who spoke or were studying German saw those same words and in their heads they read as "yes, yes, yes" or "yeah, yeah, yeah". The laughter disappeared, replaced with words of serious affirmation, ahahaha. ☺️
LOL! I love that! Thank you for sharing it!
I remember talking about developing social networks when we met you guys for lunch. I think it was Scott who mentioned that the fact that you basically turned your world around, moved out of your comfort zone and moved to another country … and that you selected the same country … gives you a shared experience as a starting point when you meet other immigrants.
Indeed! The opening conversation always starts with How long have you been here?
I'm glad you two did this while you are young enough to adapt to all the changes. I'm sure you will be fluent in Portuguese eventually. I'm glad it's all going well now and that you have good friends and a nice life there.
I am too. You were one of the people who encouraged us to come, and I'm grateful for that.
Glad you have found so many friends here! It has taken us a year to build relationships which are just starting to bear fruit if you will. We most recently came from an unusually friendly town in the US, so I have to remind myself of that. When we went back in June, 19 friends came to dinner that first night via word of mouth just that afternoon. We sea h gained 5 kg eating with everyone who wanted to see us. So I was a bit homesick when I returned. Since we live in the Eastern Algarve, we need the fall/winter rain, which we got way too little of. Summer arrived relatively late, thank goodness. Interesting the variations within the country. We would never refer to ourselves as immigrants down here. We are full time resident retirees. The Portuguese here are less worried about us driving up the cost of housing and more worried about the immigrants from Brazil, Africa and India/Pakistan who keep wages too low to live off of.
Always enjoy your posts! Thank
You! Wendy
I'm certain you will find your way to a true community. We found MeetUp to be very helpful to find other people with similar interests: board gaming, hiking, book club, improv comedy.....
Very enjoyable and enlightening read! I will start to call myself an immigrant now since we plan to stay here for the long run.
I enjoy your blog posts and appreciate the depth of your reflections. I differ with your statement that (American) expats are driving up housing costs. Statistics show that 20% of Portuguese rural residents have migrated to Lisbon and Porto in recent years, putting a tremendous strain on availabikity of housing. Furthermore, the great majority of immigrants to Portugal are Brazilians, followed by a list of other foreign nationals. American "expats" don't even rank in the top 10%. We American immigrants must be mindful of our impact on the economy and culture of our adopted country, but I don't think the housing problems fall on our shoulders.
I agree with you. I think there's often a difference between reality and perception.
Just to clarify, the word "American" does not appear anywhere in the original post.
The high numbers of Portuguese moving to Lisbon from rural areas is not mentioned, yet that trend has the biggest impact on the housing shortage.
I'd like to read more about that, actually. I didn't know that was a thing. Where did you find that information?
I will see if I saved the article and the graphic. It was about a year ago. I will let you know if I find it. It was very interesting to me.
Thank you! It sounds quite interesting, indeed.
Thanks for pointing thst out!
Watching Portugal v. France in the Euros as I read/type. I hope you get to experience the energy and zeal of the populace if Portugal goes through to the semis and beyond!
Last night when I was walking the dog (right before the game) a guy walked by with a Portugal flag draped around him and shouted Força Portugal!
Sadly, we'll have to wait for another tournament. 😞
It was a frustrating and sad ending, especially for Pepe. One PK hits the post and the party ends. It is, as they say, a funny (and cruel) old game. On to the World Cup.