Another month in Portugal, another lifetime of memories

I’ve entered the final days of my Portugal vacation. I’m not sure where my time has gone. In life, a month can seem like an endless amount of time or it can seem a mere moment. Sometimes it can be a combination of the two. 

Before I came back, I had a few things in mind that I thought I might like to do during this trip. I knew I’d want to spend the most amount of time possible with my heart sister and brother in law. I didn’t care where that time would be spent; I just wanted to create memories and have experiences. I knew we’d spend time at home and I knew we’d spend time doing things. 

My “maybe let’s do these things” ideas included surf lessons (wonky knees permitting), spending time in the Algarve and maybe a short trip to Porto, experiencing the Portuguese northern culture. I’m happy to say not one of those things happened. Happy? Yup, because what we did was wonderful.

We did a couple of free walking tours: one of the Alfama district (my favourite part of Lisbon) and one of Belém. We drove back to Óbidos for earrings that I fell in love with a year ago, didn’t buy and dreamt about — only to find a pair that I love even more (the original earrings look perfect on my heart sister.)

We walked, we went to the beach (three times) and hung out in beach towns. We mastered the train timetable getting to different parts of Lisbon and the metro.

We took a sunset cruise on the river and saw Lisbon a different way, accompanied by the musical talents of a soulful fado singer and her guitarists.

And along the way, I’ve captured photos and moments and freeze-framed memories. 

We’ve been out for suppers and eaten ice cream for supper. We’ve perfected our own sangria recipe; one where there is so much fruit that when it’s time to drink, it we are basically eating alcohol-soaked fruit.

 

We’ve had fresh bread every day and olives that we call “sex” because, well, they are just that good.

The plates of food are huge and I usually take at least half my meal home. It works out, though, because it’s equally good warmed up.

My kryptonite, though — the food that brings me to my knees — is the pastel de nata. It’s puff pastry so flaky and light, it brings tears to my eyes. The filling is a custard; sweet but not too sweet that tickles my tastebuds and has them begging for more. I usually sprinkle cinnamon and vanilla on top — and I always want more, more, more!

My heart sister and I have laughed until we cried and cried until we laughed. We’ve shared secrets of both joy and frustration. We’ve spoken words of support and kicked each other's ass. We’ve sat and said nothing.

She’s wished for me to find love and happiness here so I would stay forever. I’ve wished for it as well but, right now, here forever is not where I’m meant to be (no matter how much we yell at our phones to put dating ads on Facebook for single Portuguese men over 50 … much to the chagrin of her husband).

And so it’s back to Canada I go. Rested physically. Rested mentally. Ready for the next journey in my life.

Obrigada, my Heart Sister. For everything. I love you.

❤️