“The Colours of Mothers” by Riyani Indriyati is a captivating collection of narratives that celebrates the diverse experiences of motherhood across the globe. This anthology features 22 contributors from different parts of the world, each sharing a unique and heartfelt story that portrays the extraordinary traits and indomitable spirit of mothers.
Beautifully narrated with raw honesty and vulnerability, these stories resonate deeply, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the joys, challenges, and complexities of motherhood. Once you start reading, it may be hard for you to stop until you reach the end. Indeed, it is a proverbial page turner.
While motherhood serves as its common thread, the stories also beautifully illustrate the richness and diversity of women’s experiences. Each tale evokes a spectrum of maternal journeys, traversing differences in cultures, colors, languages, and religions. However, amidst this diversity, one constant remains: the unyielding spirit of a mother’s heart, the steadfast force that truly transcends all boundaries.
Heartwarming. Inspiring. Powerful. This book is a must-read for all children, as it offers a profound appreciation for the unconditional sacrifices and unwavering love that mothers embody. Through these powerful narratives, readers will surely gain a deeper understanding and respect for the extraordinary women who have nurtured and shaped their lives.
“The Colours of Mothers” is the perfect gift to honor the remarkable women, Our Mothers, who have embraced the sacred role of motherhood. It’s a great read, and I highly HIGHLY recommend it!
After jumping places for 5 weeks in Europe, eventually our aging bodies and feet started barking. Thus, while our initial plan was to directly fly from Paris to our next destination, my husband and I both decided to take a break. When we said “break”, we meant maybe taking a hiatus from traveling for at least the whole summer.
Now, here’s the fun part. I am sure you’ve heard the saying “You can make all plans you want but in the end God’s plan always prevails.” Well, that’s exactly what happened to us. It’s a distressing long story, but clearly God had a better plan for us. Our situation had pointed us to the direction of getting back on the road. So, to cut to the chase, after taking a few weeks’ off and resting back home, we packed our suitcases again and headed to the airport.
Unlike other travelers, flying is not my favorite part of traveling. Going through long security lines, waiting at the crowded boarding area, and being strapped to my seat for hours is not what I visualize as fun. However, of course, they are part of travel and unavoidable.
Welcome to Da Nang!
After flying 21 hours, we finally arrived in Vietnam. I must say the toughest flight for us was the 15 hour- connection from Atlanta to Inchon, Korea. It was just too long, and the inescapable turbulence was quite unsettling.
Arriving in Da Nang was a breath of fresh air, however. The long beach of My Khe Beach with undulating waves and fine sand was just spectacular. Waking up the following morning in the warm Asian weather, albeit jet lagged to the max, we couldn’t wait to explore this beautiful city with its kind and gentle people.
We stayed in Da Nang for 4 weeks and booked our accommodation at DLG Hotel. We found it by accident after our dissatisfying experiences with other hotels. DLG’s amenities, services, and hospitality topped our expectations making our stay truly an experience of being in a home away from home.
During our visit, after breakfast we would leisurely walk on the beach for some vitamin sea and exercise. We were surprised how health-oriented Vietnamese people are. You would see them, if not doing their exercise on outside gyms, they were in the water swimming or enjoying other water sports.
After our invigorating walk, we usually ended our roadwork with some cold fresh coconut or juice drink and beer for the hubby. Sometimes we would take a dip in the pool or simply lounge around for some chit chat with the hotel staff.
Of course, our stay in Da Nang would not be complete without visiting some of its attractions, and here are some of them:
Dragon Bridge
Considered as the longest bridge in Vietnam and one of the longest bridges in the world, Dragon Bridge is one of Da Nang’s tourist attractions. Every weekend this Dragon Bridge spits fire and blows water making it a truly picturesque show to watch.
Da Nang Cathedral
Since Vietnam is conventionally considered a Buddhist country, Da Nang Cathedral is the only Catholic church in the whole city serving its Catholic community.
Built in 1923, Da Nang Cathedral was built during the French colonial period. It is regarded as one of the must-see tourist attractions in Da Nang due to its Gothic designed architecture. No wonder outside the church most days there is a big crowd of tourists admiring its pink beauty and taking photos.
Inside the church are dignified columns that are beautifully carved and painted. Its glass windows depict events from the Bible, and while the interior of the church was something to behold, the outside was quite breathtaking as well.
Marble Mountains
Another tourist attraction in Da Nang is called the Marble Mountains located just a few miles away from the city center. Tourists usually pass by this area on their way to the famous Hoi An.
Marble Mountains are a group of five lime stones and marble hills which are punctuated by caves and tunnels. These caves are popular among tourists as you can find spectacular Buddhist and Hindu shrines inside.
Around the mountains you will also find beautiful souvenirs for sale. They are all made of marbles, from statues to furniture, paper weights to bracelets. Indeed, it’s quite a place to visit.
Hoi-An
From Marble Mountains, Hoi-An is another 30-minute ride by car.
Hoi-An is listed as a UNESCO heritage site, which makes it very famous not only among tourists but also to locals who often travel by bikes.
Known for its yellow shop houses for custom-made suits and dresses, Hoi-An has also the elements for timeless destinations. My husband and I were captivated by its old houses, temples, and bridges.
While pretty during the day, this Ancient Town is more popular and spectacular, however, when the sun goes down and thousands of brightly lit lanterns illuminate the streets and set the Thu Bon River aglow with twinkling reflections.
We were very happy with our stay in Da Nang and we look forward to going back again someday in the future.
Like many people, I romanticize the idea of Paris. Thanks to productions like “Lovers in Paris”, one of my favorite Korean soap operas, I fell in love not only with its characters but also the stunning backdrop of Paris’ architectural landmarks. Its spectacular beauty surely sparked my obsession to see Paris for myself.
The Eiffel Tower was, of course, on top of my bucket list. Thus, despite my husband’s skepticism and some resistance, I stood my ground and made sure that it would be on our itinerary.
After a short stay in Barcelona, we headed to Paris. With Barcelona situated in the northeast corner of Spain, and Paris situated in the north of France, there is still a large distance of 644 miles (1,036 kilometers) between these two major metropolises. Nonetheless, despite the long ride by train, our trip went by fast with the scenic view that kept us oblivious to the passing of time. I guess, I should also give credit to my comedic husband; his sense of humor is unmatched and it came in handy and kept our travel enjoyable and a breeze.
We arrived in the main rail station in Paris mid-afternoon and was immediately welcomed by a jam-packed station. It was so crowded that finding the exits was an ordeal. Honestly, we couldn’t wait to get out and escape the human avalanche of people pouring in and out of the station. Thankfully, it didn’t take long before we found our way out to the long queue of passengers like us who were also waiting for taxi rides. While I was mesmerized by my first sight of Paris, it was hard to ignore the temperature. It was freezing cold outside and my fingertips and ear lobes started feeling numb. However, we had no option but to brace the bitter cold and bundled ourselves up in our winter coats while longing for some Florida heat.
How will I describe the experience? It’s hard. I can’t even put my feelings into words. I guess it’s because I already had my preconceived notion even before we arrived in Paris. I’ve always imagined that Paris is a beautiful city. And yes indeed, it’s simply magical!
City Tour of Paris
We booked our accommodation at Mercure Hotel out by the smaller airport. While it was quite a distance from the city’s bustling center, we thought that it came with an unforeseen perk. For one, besides airport accessibility, instead of walking in brutal winter cold, we were compelled to book a taxi that gave us a tour and opportunity to take in more of the capital than a Metro ride might have shown.
Mercure Hotel
Our driver navigated the narrow-tangled streets, gesturing at historic architecture as we passed. Our first stop was, of course, Eiffel Tower. We circled it a couple of times before parking on one of its sides to give us time to admire its towering beauty. Honestly, we didn’t expect it to be larger than life, but it was.Oh, what a treat!
Eiffel Tower
Next, we headed to Louve Museum, but en route, we detoured down a narrow lane flanked with ateliers of Parisian haute couture designers. Sleek fashionistas in trendy coats and bags didn’t escape my curious eyes. They quickly sashayed across the cobbled stone and disappeared in some chic boutique entrance. I couldn’t help but beam in excitement just imagining how many models and high society socialites would line up here during Fashion Week.
My fashion fever did not last long, however. It suddenly cooled when the Louve slowly emerged into our view. Oh wow, we were not prepared for its elegance. No photograph we took could capture the palatial scope of it; its exterior definitely left us over the moon.
Louve Museum
As we expected, it was super crowded and we needed to get a ticket to get in, all very time consuming. I don’t know about my husband, but I yearned to return here one day at leisure and hopefully explore more of its endless galleries. Yes, I would love to the see the iconic painting of Mona Lisa and more. But for now, I’m quite content just to etch its beautiful facade into memory.
After a few hours of sight-seeing, my husband and I were ready to head back to our hotel. While our tour seemed like information overload for us, nonetheless, we were happy to breathe the air of Paris while taking it all in. Until next time.
“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” – Thomas Jefferson
After staying in Valencia for over a week, my husband and I felt we had accomplished our goals and it was time to pack up for our next destination – the City of Lights. With Paris being about 898 miles from Valencia, the train journey would take us nearly 11 hours. Thus, my husband suggested stopping in Barcelona for a few days to break up the long trip.
My heart sang hallelujah at the idea, as Barcelona was high on my bucket list. My husband preferred small towns over big cities, so you can imagine, Barcelona was way below his radar. Nonetheless, I guess there is truth to the saying, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
On our way to Barcelona’s Sants Station, my mind filled with visions of unique architecture and spectacular beaches. However, with just three hotel nights booked, my expectations remained modest. Our goals were pretty straight forward – mainly to rest up before another 7 hours on the train to Paris, and to visit the iconic Sagrada Familia.
Barcelo Sants Hotel
We chose the 4-star Barcelo Sants Hotel for its proximity to the train station. Its futuristic, cutting-edge design was reminiscent of Star Wars and Star Trek – like an intergalactic space station. I had never seen a hotel with this theme before. So, when we arrived at the lobby, I immediately took out my camera. Snapping photos in the lobby, I felt transported to another world. I must say, it was really surreal!
My husband and I got a taste of Barcelona’s charm on our way to Sagrada Familia. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is an enchanting seaside city with spectacular architecture that left me spellbound. Our taxi winded through its narrow cobblestone streets feeling like a maze and bouncing us at every turn. One detail that caught my observant eye, however, was the unique windows on each building, showcasing Spanish creativity and craftsmanship. I couldn’t help but admire them as we zipped by.
Sagrada Familia
As a Catholic, I knew that Sagrada Familia was a must-see basilica – an expiatory church of the Holy Family that draws tourists daily. But beyond knowing that it was an impressive Modernist structure, my husband and I knew very little about it. Thus, we were surprised when we got up close to the structure, realizing this towering church dominates a busy Barcelona street. Arriving to crowds gazing skyward, cameras ready, we were fascinated by the dramatic, yet almost gaudy, beauty. With its dizzying spires that was indeed breathtaking, we felt grateful for the chance to witness this indeed remarkable sight.
Note: “The Sagrada Família is a one-of-a-kind temple, for its origins, foundation and purpose. Fruit of the work of genius architect Antoni Gaudí, the project was promoted by the people for the people. Five generations now have watched the Temple progress in Barcelona. Today, more than 140 years after the laying of the cornerstone, construction continues on the Basilica.” https://sagradafamilia.org/en/history-of-the-temple
“To travel across Spain and finally to reach Barcelona is like drinking a respectable red wine and finishing up with a bottle of champagne.”
After staying in Alicante for over two weeks, we left the stunning beaches and turquoise waters of Playa de Juan for some ultra cultural immersion in historic Valencia. The train ride took just an hour and a half, and again, it did not disappoint us. We relaxed in spacious, comfortable seats while admiring the passing scenery. The scenic view was second to none. Purple mountains rose in the distance as we rolled through desert landscapes, neat rows of orange groves, rolling vineyards, and charming villages that left us mesmerized.
Our first taste of Valencia came as we stepped off the train into the city’s grand ambiance and medieval architecture. Founded in 138 BC by the Romans as Valentia Edetanorum, Valencia exudes centuries of rich history and tradition around every corner. With its cobbled streets, Gothic and Baroque buildings, and romantic cafes, we felt transported back to the Middle Ages or to a quaint European city like Florence or Paris. An air of timelessness permeated Valencia, blending the modern vibrancy of Spain with its long, illustrious past.
Since one of our main reasons for visiting Valencia was to explore the renowned City of Arts and Sciences, we booked our hotel room at the conveniently located Hotel Ilunion Aqua 4, which was directly across from this modernist masterpiece. Known as Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencian, this vast cultural complex is considered one of Spain’s twelve treasures. It consisted of mind bending futuristic looking buildings which stirred your imagination like a moth to a flame. Once we got close, we were sucked in like a human vortex.
Up close, the City of Arts and Sciences was like a self-contained village, with eye-catching buildings linked by whimsical bridges over reflecting pools. Wanting to fully immerse ourselves, we decided to spend several days exploring each fascinating structure. Known for being a gateway to culture, this futuristic architecture(one building is designed to mimic the skeleton of a whale) houses a wealth of artifacts and interactive experiences focused on history, art, science, and technology. Since hands-on engagement is central to the complex, visitors are encouraged to touch, feel, question, and interact with the displays to actively learn about human evolution, the arts, scientific concepts, and innovations. With this emphasis on participation, it’s no wonder flocks of eager students fill the halls daily. Their infectious enthusiasm amplified every corner of this 21st century museum which definitely added excitement to our visit. It was a lot of daily footsteps for us, but, I must admit, they were worth it.
To achieve contact with reality is not to transport oneself elsewhere, it’s transcendence but thorough immersion in one’s surroundings.A reality which is neither purely physical nor metaphysical, but both at once. – Antoni Topies
After a wonderful stay in Liverpool, my husband and I hopped on a quick 2.5-hour flight to Alicante, Spain. Alicante is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Upon landing, we immediately recognized the difference. Our initial panorama indeed provided us a striking change of scenery from England.
As you can imagine, our first day in the city was again spent looking for a laundromat. The struggle with traveling light is real! Unfortunately, their laundromat there was totally robotic with Spanish instructions. Since neither my husband nor I speak Spanish, we had to literally grab people off the street to help us make sense of their machines. Sometimes our pleas for help were met with trepidation.
First Impressions
Alicante was stunningly beautiful! Majestic gray mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the glittering Mediterranean Sea.
English language was not widely spoken there. We got by using my broken Spanish (some words I recognized from our Tagalog words), exaggerated gestures, theatrical facial expressions, sometimes clunky translators, and if nothing worked, we just gave up and looked for the next victim.
We were there during the peak of winter, and while there were days when there’s a lot of sun, do not expect it to be warm. You still need your puffer coat because mornings and nights can be brisk.
Top Attractions
When visiting Alicante main center, make sure to drop by the Postiguet Beach and its neighboring marina. Wander along its beautiful explanada which is surrounded by boutique shops and restaurants. If you have time, make sure to also try their local dishes. Be sure to sample Alicante’s famous tapas and paella dishes. The imposing Santa Barbara Castle, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, is also located nearby, and all you need to do is look upward, so make sure to also include it in your itinerary.
Travel Reality Check
Traveling is fun, and I hate to be a buzz killer, but, I must admit, there’s something overrated about it, especially if it means crossing country borders and continents in anything but trains. Sometimes we are made to believe by the glamorous travel photos we see that traveling is all rainbows and unicorns. Unfortunately, perfect social media shots only tell half the story. Sometimes the other half is a saga of frustrations, if not epic fails. And, that was exactly what happened to us while traveling to Alicante.
Despite staying across from the spectacular Playa San Juan, we didn’t get to enjoy much of the place because of days of rain and diving temperatures. It was hard to enjoy the beach with the freezing cold and gusty winds; even a short walk was a struggle. So, as much as we wanted to stay longer, the off-season climate was not what we expected. Nonetheless, Alicante still revealed its beauty, and we hope to return one day in summer to better experience its exquisiteness. Adios for now. Hasta la vista!
“Great things never came from comfort zone.” – Anonymous
Friends, I have not forgotten you, nor has my blog become a relic in old forgotten blogs in the blogasphere . Apologies for being oh so naughty when it comes to staying current with my posting, but (and it’s a big but) I have been making moves on the international scene, more on that later. That being said, I’m excited to pick up where we left off in our Pinay adventures together.
Although life often moves fast, I want to cherish our time by sharing with you more tales from our slow travel adventures. I hope you’ll join me again as we meander through this winding path.
From Central London, my husband and I enjoyed a 3.5 hour train excursion to Liverpool, the Beatles’ hometown. Our train ride really surprised us. Considering our heavy luggage, we expected it to be rough, but our prayers were answered. Our angels came to our rescue and strategically put us on the first class car. How did it happen we had no clue. On a side note, we also did take in all the Fab 4 sites in London city, so don’t fret, again more on that later.
Indeed, it was a stunning train ride for us: quiet, very spacious, scenic sights, and friendly staff. Honestly, we would jump on board all over again in a heartbeat.
We booked our accommodation at Hard Days Night Hotel-Liverpool before we left. I must say this famous boutique hotel was quite unusual, as you might imagine. Every corner has a reminder of Beatles history, not to mention 24/7 Beatles music playing in the background, as you might imagine again (get it imagine). If you’re a Beatles maniac, then surely this is the place for you to exhibit your Beatlemania.
Hard Days Night Hotel Bar
Hard Days Night Hotel Restaurant
Hard Days Night Hotel Lobby/Reception Area
Matthew Street
Our first stop was on Matthew Street, which was just a few steps away from Hard Days Night Hotel. It’s the historic street where the Beatles started their musical journey before they were the Beatles. Now, the street is all hustle and bustle full of tourist traps with multiple cavern clubs replacing the original which was torn down to build a train track that was never developed.
We had a brunch in one of the cavern pubs. It was a duplicate of the original Cavern Pub where the Beatles used to play their gigs. As you can expect, there were a lot of Beatles fans touring the area, and being there was like coming home for a family reunion.
Out and About
Of course, our trip to Liverpool would not be complete without visiting places where the Beatles began: their schools, childhood homes, and neighborhoods. Our emotions were off the chart. Like many Beatles fans, we could not put our experience into words.
Liverpool College of Art where John and Cynthia Lennon’s met and studied
Ringo’s neighborhood
John’s childhood home
Paul’s neighborhood and the inspiration of his song “Penny Lane”
Beatles Museum
We also toured the Beatles Museum near the Sir Albert Dock, where the Fab 4 statues were looking on. The museum provided us with every important detail in the Beatles road to fame. There were so many items on display that after awhile I started feeling Beatles overload – well maybe not.
Realizations during our stay:
While Liverpool may be a little more working class compared to posh London, it was charming and rich in so much history.
We found Liverpudlians to be very friendly people and, of course, proud of their favorite lads.
The food was great! We immediately recognized its freshness and lack of preservatives, which is hard to avoid in the US.
The architectural buildings were something to behold. They had a diverse mix of historic and modern buildings that are just worth visiting.
Expensive? I guess that was to be expected. But, nonetheless, the experience was worth every pound. After all, as we always say, we can’t put a price tag on the wonderful memories we create in our lifetime.
Thanks for reading! I’ll see you in my next post.
“You and I have memories Longer than the road that stretches out ahead.”
After a short stopover in Keflavic, we flew to London for our first adventure.
Expectations vs. Reality
1. It was cold and raining when we arrived in London and, to weather wimps like us, it was quite brutal. 2. Since we’re traveling with limited luggage, I guess it was not surprising that our first order of the day was looking for a laundromat to do our laundry, or else we’d be – let’s say not politically but aromatically incorrect, or I guess a better word was disgusting. But, nonetheless, everything was lovely.
City Tour of London
Our trip to Central London was like going to Disney World. There’s just so much to see. While it was not my first time in the city, it was for my husband, and to share his amazement while exploring some of its historic venues together was a treat in itself. It’s simply spellbinding!
“When exploring London, you will come across lots of excitement by chance, so try to take everything in rather than just rushing around to all of the major tourist haunts.”
It has been a while since I posted something on my blog and there’s no excuse. The year 2022 was quite a busy year for me and, unfortunately, I just didn’t have the time (maybe that is an excuse albeit half-baked). But now that I’m back, let me fill you in on some of my highlights in 2022.
From Portugal, my husband and I flew back to Florida and started all over again. We moved to a townhouse close to the college where I resumed my work as an instructor.
I was given full teaching loads for the most part, teaching both ESOL and ELI courses. It was a busy year like I said, but, despite keeping soooooooooooo busy with my teaching responsibilities, I was pretty content and happy with my schedule as it were.
I also attended a number of professional development programs both in and out of the college. One highlight of my 2022, I must say, was serving in the regional TESOL organization as a board member. For me, getting the opportunity to serve the profession was indeed a remarkable experience.
My husband and I didn’t travel much last year. Instead, after avoiding in-person medical check-ups for the past couple of years due to the pandemic, we decided to face any health concerns head-on and get checked up. I had a complete medical test, some of which included seeing specialists and undergoing involved lab work/tests. Thankfully, all of them turned out to be uneventful, same for Mr. Wonderful.
During the last quarter of the year, some unexpected turn of events presented themselves that made the mister become more serious with his BIG idea of pursuing our slow travel plan. At first, I struggled with my decision because of my teaching job which I enjoy tremendously. However, my husband was persistent. He presented his convincing argument that eventually won me over.
After confirming our decision that we really wanted to travel, we didn’t waste time. Right after Christmas I informed my college of my intended self-imposed sabbatical leave. While my department did not see it coming and was quite surprised with my unexpected news, my dean and program supervisor were very supportive. No doubt I will miss everyone at work, but I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually.
As of this writing, my husband and I are just tying some loose ends up before embarking on our upcoming road-plane-train-ship-venture. Excited? I guess to use that adjective is an understatement. I am over the moon!
Our plan to travel to Portugal was not simply our way for us to escape the roller-coaster and never-ending upsurge of Covid cases in the US. We had heard a lot of great things about the country as a possible retirement destination. We were lured by different vloggers who made us believe that it was a piece of paradise worth checking out. And so we did.
Location wise, my husband and I very much have a clear picture of what we were looking for in a retirement destination. Hence, it was easy for us to agree on “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” However, since this was our first trip to Portugal, like anything new, we were clueless on what to expect. As you can imagine, our first few days in PT was like walking on air full of expectations and the thrill of a great adventure. Living in Europe, we quickly realized, is not the same at all as living in the US or in Asia. Learning curves abound and every time we ventured out, we felt like we were about to break a rule.
Location
Since my husband and I are both semi-tropical people, we saw Algarve, the southern part of Portugal, the most appropriate region for us.
Algarve is considered one of the most sought-after summer holiday destinations in Europe because of its Mediterranean climate. The average maximum temperature in Algarve is 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit) in January/February and 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) in July/August. Having that in mind, we assumed that Algarve would be the perfect fit for weather wimps like us.
Algarve has many beautiful places to live in and we visited some of them.
Silves
Faro
Tavira
Albufeira
Climate
We arrived in Portugal the last week of July and true enough it was hot. But, it was not Florida-hot that we were used to and or expected. Algarve is, for us, so far more like a semi-arid climate. Very dry!
Exploring the city during this month was quite a challenge for us because the dessert-hot day temperatures and oh so cool night temps were sometimes hard to take – unless we were on the beach, of course.
Thankfully, the semi-arid temp did not last long. September came, and the weather slowly changed.
The transition was quite unexpected, however. Many times we would wake up in early mornings and it was icy. But when the sun warms up at noon time, the heat could be punishing. Then when the sun begins to go down in the evening, the breeze coming from the beach would surely bring again some chill straight to our bones. It took awhile for us to get use to it.
But it was not all bad, I must say. My favorite was in the mid-afternoons when the sunshine and cool breeze were in complete harmony. Oh yeah, it was when the temp was just marvelous.
Walkability
Algarve is a stunning region with picturesque beaches with beautiful rust-colored cliffs and golden colored sand. For sure, I am unlikely ever to recover from my first gaze upon these larger-than-life vistas and their amazing natural beauty. I know that we are also surrounded by spectacular beaches here in Florida, but there is nothing like the ones in the Algarve. They were just breathtaking.
However, a word to the wise, these beautiful cliffs are what make Algarve very hilly. I don’t know if I can call it a blessing or a curse. All I know is you better have strong knees and hips before visiting, for surely your strength and balance are going to be tested.
Like many European countries, over centuries Portugal has also retain its cobblestone streets. While on one hand, cobblestones are historic and unique, by today’s standards, they can be lumpy and difficult to walk on. They can also be slippery and notorious to navigate when wet.
My husband became a victim of Algarve’s poor sidewalk maintenance. Not once but twice. Down for the count, ouch! I didn’t witness his first mishap as I was busy taking photos, which made me feel a little bit guilty. I didn’t hear him yell or scream for help, but I guess it was needless because his scratched knee and red face said it all.
The second accident occurred after crossing a street on our way to the hospital (to scout out the oh so revered healthcare system there). I won’t relive the details but, I tell you, his second tumble was not pretty. So, a word of caution, if you are new to cobblestones, just watch out your steps.
People
We met a mix of different people in Algarve during our visit. Like anywhere else, some of them were very nice, the others were not so much. Those who were forgiving of our limited Portuguese, we made a good connection and had a wonderful time. Here are few things we observed:
They are great hosts when it comes to welcoming their guests. For instance, we started our first day with a wonderful drive from Lisbon to Portimao and our driver was a topnotch. Once we arrived in Portimao, we were met by a one-of-a-kind landlord as well. We were surprised to see three bottles of wine and boxes of sweets waiting for us in the apartment we rented. That was a delightful gesture, we thought.
Portuguese are outgoing and open. They are proud to share information about their culture and lifestyle as well as asking about ours. This we noticed after my husband and I made friends with the staff from our favorite pizzeria near our rented home. Some of the staff would spend extra time with us to help us practice our Portuguese and or just hang out with us to chat and learn more about the US.
They also love to spend time with their friends over small coffee and Pastéis de Nataes. There were mornings we would go to a nearby bakery to buy some bread and it was always filled with people happily hanging out with their friends or family members.
Access to essential services
We chose an apartment in one of the largest cities in the Algarve, expecting adequate quality services for goods, banking, transportation, and what we considered the most important thing, healthcare. In our short stint in PT we tried to evaluate each one of our needs with an open mind and worked arounds where we could, except for healthcare where we were unyielding.
Groceries and Supermarkets
A lot of things have been said about grocery shopping in Portugal. Some we found true and others not so much. Here’s what we realized after going to at least four different stores (both big and small) there.
– Some of their food items were cheaper compared to the US especially their fruits and vegetables.
– They use less preservatives in their products, which on one hand is good because you can be assured of their initial freshness and better for ones health. However, don’t expect them to last long. They easily get stale.
– Available US brands are scarce, and this goes not only for food products but also for other items such as clothing, beauty products, etc. This forced us to be creative and used Amazon. Unfortunately, PT has no Amazon locally, so we had to choose from Amazon in Spain, Germany, and or UK. All, in our opinion, were not as fast and reliable as the one in the US.
– Grocery bags were not free. You must buy them or bring one with you. While carrying grocery bags may seem an inconvenience for some, this encourages consumers to use less. Thereby, limiting the consumption of plastics and saving the environment.
Banking
There are over 150 banks in Portugal ranging from private national retail banks, public and cooperative banks, international banks, and the newer digital and online banks. And they are considered modern. Here are some of our PT banking experiences:
– Banking products in PT are almost the same as the ones in the US, except maybe differences in some banking terms. For instance, what we often refer to as a “checking account” in the US is most commonly known as a “current account” in PT.
– Their banking staff in general is very professional, efficient, and respectful. Just be mindful that due to Covid restrictions, you may not be allowed to use their toilets during your transactions. That rule is strictly adhered, unless, of course, you get a bank representative like ours who was willing to bend the rules a little to satisfy his customer’s needs.
– Healthcare coverage and other insurance needs are available for purchase at the bank.
– Their ATMs are multi-purpose. For example, you can pay your rent through what they call Multi Banco. Be cognizant though of ATMs that you use. Some may not be bank affiliated and may give you sticker shock when fees are assessed. Look out for the yellow and blue machines.
– Their banking system can be fees driven. But, of course, that may vary from bank to bank, so, word to the wise, use your due diligence and necessary research.
Transportation
It is quite easy to travel around Portugal. It has different local transportation services that are available to its commuters: trains, buses, private car services, Uber, taxis, rental cars, and even boat rides.
Before arriving in Portugal, we originally planned to access local city trains for our out-of-town trips. It was cheap and easily accessible. We haven’t used trains before in the US, and so we thought that it would be something new for us to experience. However, our excitement was immediately altered after checking the train station in our area. The station was not exactly what we expected. Albeit we all marvel every day with the latest technology, somehow the Portimao train station was left behind. We found their local city train a little bit ancient and dingy looking for us. Plus, with Covid still lingering, we didn’t want to risk a crowd. So, we immediately scratched that plan.
Thankfully, some of our city tours had open air choo choo trains available for tourists. They brought back a lot of childhood fantasies, making our tours one for the record books.
During our stay, we depended mostly on taxis for our short drives and private car services for our out-of-town excursions. While we also tried using Uber ride, sadly, it was not a very pleasant experience for us because drivers either did not show up on time or did not show up at all.
For those who prefer driving, car rentals are also widely available in PT. However, before renting one, take into consideration these two things: 1) most of their cars are manual transmissions, and 2) many of the Portuguese have lead foots and risk takers especially when negotiating their famous roundabouts. We had one in front of our home that provided endless entertainment for us. So, brace yourself and don’t forget to buckle up.
Healthcare
The Portuguese healthcare system incorporates both public and private healthcare services. Also, the standard of its healthcare is considered to be high. In fact, its healthcare system was ranked #13th on the 2018 Euro Health Consumer Index.
The healthcare system in Portugal consists of three coexisting systems, namely: Servico National de Saude (National Health Service), special social health insurance schemes (health subsystems), and voluntary private health insurance.
Eligibility for the Portuguese healthcare system for expats is available for those who are legal residents, which include non-working residents under certain conditions, such as employed, retired, or dependent family members.
For non-residents and temporary visitors to Portugal, a purchase of private health insurance to cover their stay while in the country is necessary.
We had the opportunity to visit one of their finer hospitals in our area for a routine non-emergency visit. Considering a lot of expats singing praises for PT healthcare systems, we were indeed very hopeful. Signing up for an appointment was quite easy. A doctor was recommended for us. Then we excitedly headed to our appointment. Unfortunately, from trying to enter the hospital to the actual meeting of our assigned doctor, everything seemed to be muddled and immediately fell short of our expectations. We can only speak from our experience. This could just be in our hospital and doctor; I am sure others may have had a better luck.
The last straw for us was when were told that neither booster shots nor flu shots were available for us. Like most people, our health and safety are very important to us, so while we intended to stay longer in the country, we cut our trip mid-sojourn and flew back home. Within days after our arrival, we got our booster and flu shots.
Despite a little bit of setback, for us it was still a journey of a lifetime and something we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Indeed, we are truly grateful for this experience.
Till next time as our slow travel continues…
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s OK. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – A. Bourdain
But, nonetheless, everything was lovely. 
pinay e-motion 