Musings
On slowing down (87)
Living without an internet connection or tv as we wait for our provider to make a “fiber box” to “attach” to our building (and then, of course, for a service rep to wander on out and actually hook us up to said box) has led to a different type of lifestyle for us. Granted, MEO (our internet service provider) continues to throw mobile data at us, but connecting our hotspot every time we want to while a way a few minutes surfing while eating, say, has led to less use of our computers. And more use of our phones naturally. (The other day we were headed out and Amy’s phone desperately needed charging. She felt naked without it. First time for that!) And it’s also led to more sitting and listening to the birds. The other day Scott sat on the couch for more than an hour and watched dusk turn to night over the city. He said it was very relaxing. Who knew?
We’ve been running into the phrase próxima semana a lot lately. As we wait for our internet/tv to be ready, or something to be fixed in the apartment, we hear próxima semana. We had heard this is a common phrase here, and yup, it sure is. Oh, what does it mean? Next week. We think it’s code for I don’t want to tell you how long you will have to wait because that will make you unhappy, so I will tell you próxima semana. At this point we can say the window that didn’t close has been fixed, so we don’t have to keep a towel under it anymore. But the newly broken elevator continues to encourage us to get our daily exercise (as if the hills here weren’t enough!).
Our lives have taken on a very homebound quality. Last week we had deliveries or contractors from the building coming by every single day. None of them give you a time, so one of us had to be in the apartment the entire day. Which, frankly isn’t all that different from our regular schedule. But we’re in a new place we would like to explore, and a new place often requires a lot of shopping. (Oh, hey, the suction cup sponge holder doesn’t stick to this awful limestone we have. Guess we need a new sponge holder.)
We have a new-to-us awkward situation here. The lovely intentioned Portuguese people who you meet and are willing to help you with your Portuguese. This is a wonderful – if unasked for and startling – offer. Invariably it starts with: Say something in Portuguese. At which point, also invariably, the brain freezes. Who knows what to say? The weather is nice? That would be great if that idea would pop into our heads, and if we knew how to say that phrase in Portuguese. Maybe we should just say desculpe, não falo Português muito bem. Which means, “sorry, I don’t speak Portuguese very well.” We’ve got that phrase down cold.
Love from Lisbon,
Amy & Scott
OMG! That was our life for the first 2 months! Same exact thing with the internet hookup, waiting all day for weeks for deliveries, and the suction cup on the sponge holder not sticking! Same! The other night, we got woken up by the stick-on toilet paper holder falling off the wall and into the metal trash can. Fun stuff!
Well, I don't know what MEO is, and I don't know how to use a hotspot or some of the other tech you mentioned, but I do know how to slow down, sit on the lanai for a couple of hours with cat on lap and just contemplate the nature outside my door. I highly recommend it.