On the northbound train to view Christmas lights in Braga, we shared company with Dorothea. In a comic mix of Portuguese, French, English and rather enthusiastic gestures, we exchanged stories. Where from, how many kids and grandkids were all duly covered. When it came to ages, I was appalled at how long it takes to get to 70 by flashing 10 fingers at a time! Nothing at all like a young child shyly holding up 4 or 5.
In Portugal, Christmas Eve dinner is the highpoint of the holidays. Rogerio and Maria, the couple who own the apartment we have rented here in Vila Nova de Gaia, kindly invited us to join their family for Bacalhau da Consoada. “No one should be alone on that evening,” they said, and then reiterated while we were stumbling to frame a suitable reply.
It was every bit the feast! Their amply sized dinner table vanished beneath a spread of traditional Portuguese Holiday dishes and ten (ten?) 10 different desserts. In true European fashion dinner went on for hours. New friends became old friends. We were unexpectedly gifted with a 10 year old tawny port for me and chic looking smartphone friendly gloves for Cookie.
Do we appreciate how lucky we are? I think so. I hope so.
Portugal has pretty much adopted American Christmas music. All season I have heard nothing that wasn’t born in the USA. How would you would go about replacing Der Bingle’s “White Christmas” or Nat Cole’s “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…..”? I’m happy with their choice not to try
Meanwhile the endless paperchase for temporary residency here continues. As long as we can show we are “in process,” normal visa limits are overlooked. We are hoping to have the final issues resolved early this Spring.
In other news……Portuguese keys enter teeth down and doors open in.
All the best to you and yours for a healthy and Happy New Year!!
Mike + Cookie