The Story... or my love for Portugal.

Few things in life are already decided. And even fewer things will happen as you expect them to happen. But some things you just feel they will.

One day I will be back, I will discuss politics and football during the same conversation with no breaks; I will criticize everything and blame it on the weather or on the Government.

Still, there is no other place in which I can feel what I feel when I am back in Portugal. The friendships, the Ocean, the wine/beer... It all tastes better.

And this song by Brandi Carlile (btw, a major Sumer hit in Portugal this year) put together with this video for a Super Bock (beer brand) ad just put it all into perspective.
It makes me think about all I love about my country and the uniqueness of the bond we share.

The ad has it all:

The perfection, the imperfections, the first love, the other loves, the laughter, the tears, the melody and the screams, the departures and the arrivals, the ocean...

Above it all, one common element...
Unique moments, shared with the ones you love.

Portugal. What a Unique/Authentic Taste (Sabor Autentico)!!

Disclaimer - No... this is not me regretting to be abroad or hoping to be back soon. Many plans are still left untouched and a couple of countries left to explore. But its good to feel that the "long term objective" still continues to make sense. :)

... Como uma lapa.

As vezes. Sento me sozinha. No canto da minha vida. E penso nas razoes que me fazem estar longe. Fico ali sentada tempos infinitos. A pensar mas sem conseguir pensar. Com a mente em branco. Numa meditacao sem meditacao. So vazio. E quero ficar. Agarro me ao chao com toda a forca. E quero ficar. Nao esperneio, mas agarro me ao chao emocionalmente. Como uma lapa. Sem ninguem notar.

Depois, levanto me. Calco os sapatos e sigo em frente, como se nada se tivesse passado.

Eu sou assim. Uma sombra de mim mesmo. Gosto de me contrariar. So para provar que sou forte.

Number 4... and counting.

Just witnessed another small earthquake in Dubai.

The building swayed, the frames moved and the plants were moving as if there was wind in the office.

My first reaction?

Call my dad...

"Dad. are you still there?"
"Yes"
"Great. Just checking if Europe still existed".
"??"
"We felt a tremor, so I was just wondering if you were all wiped out, due to the experiences going on in Geneva"
"Nop, we are all good"
"Ok. It must have been in Iran, then"

It turned out that I was correct... Not about Europe disappearing for good, but about the epicentre of the earthquake... it happened in South Iran.

So, adding up to the previous ones, reported here and here, plus one other that I barely felt (also in Dubai), it has now been 4.

Ouch.

The Big Plan

Getting lost on the small streets of downtown. Smiling to people on the bus. Surfing (or die in the attempt). Diving (or freezing in the attempt). Drinking good wine (lots of it) and explaing for the 526th time in my life that I dont like beer. Theatre plays live in Sintra. Time with friends. Lots of time with friends. Ponte de Lima. Feiras Novas. 1l Buckets. Road Trips. Time with family. Loads of time with family. Shopping a bit (or becoming broke in the attempt). Talking portuguese ALL the time (or get laughed about in the attempt). Gossips and Sex&City Dinners. Laughing. Laughing a lot.

I can't wait.