Movement and change

Parque da Corcovada, Albufeira

I did say I was no good at this blogging thing.

I took a full week off from work (longest time I've taken off since I started working freelance full-time, almost a year ago) to go to the Algarve (Albufeira, Vilamoura) with my immediate family and some members of my extended family. It was interesting to be sort of absorbed back into the family fabric. When you have a large family I think that happens when you get together, no matter how long you've been away from home for (almost 6 years in my case). It is an odd sensation to feel like a child, like a son again. I'm not used to that and it is a tad disconcerting. In my life, I'm the adult, so to be sort of included in the "children/young person" category is bizarre for me. But I suppose that is inevitable- It's just fascinating to see the ways in which the parent/child relationship evolves and the ways it doesn't, over time. And of course to be in the Algarve was interesting and confusing, for many of the same reasons I mentioned when I talked about Gran Canaria. It almost didn't feel like Portugal. It's very intriguing to see the expectations tourists have when the go "abroad". They want "exotic", but not"foreign". They want to observe "abroad" from a safe, comfortable distance, through the haze of familiarity. Anyway, my parents are coming to Porto in July so they will see Portugal here, as opposed to an internationalised Southern European holiday resort. The Algarve is a stunningly beautiful area, it's just a pity about the cultural (lack thereof) aspects and how the sort of tourism it has attracted has ruined it a little. It was wonderful to have some time away from work, the internet, phones, e-mail and so on. Of course, I lost out on work and therefore income as, being self-employed, I don't get paid holidays. But I'll survive. It's extremely important to take time away from work and not become consumed by it- this is easier said than done when you run your own, albeit small, business. Actually it's more difficult if your business is small because there is nobody to delegate to, there is nobody to assist you and take care of the admin you don't have time for, because, you know, you're doing the thing that makes your money, in my case-translating! I also squeezed in a roadtrip to Huelva (Andalucia) with my brother and sister and stupidly managed to leave my passport there, returning to Spain from Southern Portugal at midnight the day before I had to fly back to Northern Portugal. Not so much fun! Since I've been back I've been busier than I've ever been before with work, I've been ill (flu/fever), I've been apartment hunting (can't deal with staying in this apartment much longer-it's too old, far from transport etc) and I've been organising my next escapade. So, not much free time at the minute. Whilst I've been busy, spring/summer has crept up on me! Flowers are blooming, the air is warm and it's dry! Finally.

Being a tourist in Albufeira



So. I've found a new apartment in Porto. The most beautiful, brand new apartment looking over the Douro river, a few steps from the baixa of Porto and it's squares, cathedrals, cafes and avenues. It's perfectly located, very reasonably priced, brand new with excellent quality fittings and the views...oh the views! And silent. So central, but all you can hear from the balcony are the boats going by slowly on the Douro below and the birds-bliss!!! I just wish we could afford to buy it right now- because it really is my dream apartment.... Can't wait to move. It will have a huge effect on my happiness, productivity, creativity and general mood! And for only 50 Euros more each a month!? It's unfurnished as well, which is actually a very positive thing. I would never have considered furnishing a rented apartment in the past but I can really see us staying in this one for a while,staying put for a few years perhaps and so, it's worth it. Plus, I want to make it our own. And to feel comfortable in it. So, we are hoping to sort out the formalities this week and move in mid June.


Marcia turned 24 this week- we are both 24 now. For her birthday we are taking a trip to Italy in two weeks, for a weekend, visiting Pisa and Florence. It will be my first time in Italy and I can't wait. I know some Italians and have always found it odd how I feel that I can relate to them, on a cultural level, without ever having been there. I've never studied the Italian language but understand it relatively well- through knowing French, Portuguese and Spanish, I can deduce the meaning of most words and follow most speech. Argentina and Italy are possibly, quite probably, much more culturally similar than Argentina and Spain, despite the linguistic link.

And Joanna Newsom. I am obsessed with "Have One On Me". It's all I've listened to for weeks. A masterpiece. I can't even begin to describe how complex, rich and satisfying it is. Just listen.

German. I've missed one month of my classes in the Goethe Institute due to: travel, illness and my (huge) workload. I went for the first time last night. I'm hoping to finish this course (six more weeks), sit the level exam (upper intermediate) and then perhaps so an intensive course in Germany over the summer... we'll see!



Vilamoura Marina with my sister