Eight months: a cruise, twenty-two airbnbs and multiple planes, trains and Ubers have led us to Porto, Portugal to an apartment of our own. We’re no longer schlepping and living out of a 25” suitcase!
We now live in a choice location in Vila Nova de Gaia. VNG is connected to Porto by 6 bridges which span the Duoro River. The Metro very efficiently gets us just about anywhere we need to go in Porto and Gaia. [guy -a] – Uber and walking do the rest. Personalizing and equipping our apartment is a work in progress – but it’s fun as well.
We moved in at the beginning of December – just in time for the holidays! The Portuguese revel in celebrating the holidays. And they do it well. We have observed and participated in many of their traditions: the lighting of the magnificent Porto Tree of Lights [throngs of thousands attended], visiting the beautifully decorated medieval town of nearby Braga and watching families enjoy the festive Praça de Natal [ a mini Christmas event featuring a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, and ice skating rink and chestnuts roasting on an open fire in the civic park – all across the street from us. About the chestnuts…not so romantic – more like a smoky barbeque cloud.
We have also connected with other Americans in Porto and have enjoyed the holidays at various social events. It’s a nice feeling to have a sense of community while far away from family and long-time friends.
The highlight of our Christmas events, however, was being invited and joining our Portuguese friends’ family for Christmas Eve dinner – the most significant event of the season.
Gathered around the holiday table, we shared the traditional Christmas Eve signature Portuguese dish of codfish, boiled potatoes, cabbage topped with hard boiled eggs. Each component was cooked separately then assembled into a casserole. Not our everyday fare… but it turned out to be delicious! Even Michael enjoyed it!
As the main dish became history, the desserts were brought out. Oh. My. Goodness. Ten in all and all delicious…and of course, we had to try each one. We didn’t want to insult our hosts! What a treat!
Three and a half hours later (I think 3 hours of that was spent on the desserts – wine and excellent port were involved as well) – interesting conversation and stuffed beyond comfort … we rolled out the door.
New Year’s Eve, we enjoyed great Duoro wine, a home-cooked turkey dinner and went out at midnight to view the fireworks over the river. Wow – what a great show!
So, here we are in 2019.
We realize how very fortunate we are to be on this travel adventure. Life is good. We wish you all good fortune as you pursue your life’s adventures in this new year.
?c & m
