We are back!

Chaves, Portugal
May 12, 2008



We’re back! Ahhh…we are back to Portugal where life is good and life is easy.

After a long and exhausting day and night of travel Jenna and I arrived to Chaves. Duarte’s family welcomed us with open arms, two kisses and broad smiles. On the kitchen table a warm and abundant Portuguese meal was served. Homemade soup, fresh salad, balcalhau, fried potatoes, and red juicy strawberries. Marcos was happy to see me after 8 days away. He hugged me all afternoon. He was so proud and excited to show Jenna around the farm who apparently has no memory of Portugal. He held her hand and walked with assured determination right up to the herd of sheep, he petted “Flash” the burro and passed comfortably through the chicken coup. Being a little anxious about the animals, myself, Marcos addressed my fear. “Don’t worry, Mama, I’m a farm boy. I was born in the United States but I’m a farm boy now.” Well, okay. Actually, I still couldn’t go near the animals without fear the way Marcos could.

Three meals later we drove up to our village house in Sao Lourenco. Everything looked the same and felt the same. Dogs and chickens roamed the streets. The old ladies with their sun damaged skin and toothless mouths eyed us warily as we approached. As soon as they realized who we were we heard jubiliant “Boa Tarde” “Beinviendo” (good afternoon, Welcome) from them all.

Marcos and Jenna are sleeping in a bunk bed in the kid’s room. Jenna slept and slept through the night and late into the morning. She awoke groggy and confused and slowly toddled into our room and then into our bed where Marcos had already snuggled in. I took the time enjoy the moment realizing that we had no place to go and nothing, whatsoever, to do all day long. It was only when we heard the church bell chime ten times that we decided to rise and begin the day.

When we finally emerged from our house we drove down to Quinta da Mata to be fed. After breakfast, Duarte and I jumped onto our mountain bikes. We decided to head down the mountain rather than up with the purpose of “feeling our bikes again.” Even with the easier terrain I found myself winded. It’s hard to imagine 4 hours of riding as we did last year. I hope we can get that fit again. The best part of the ride of course was breathing in the air perfumed with flowers, smelling the earth below us, feeling the heat radiating from the rocks, enjoying the cool May breeze and be relaxed enough to sense it all.

Leaving America, which is in such turmoil with its elections, failing economy and everything else, it seems surreal to enter this old world. This world that time seems to have forgotten. It is easy to forget some of America’s struggles until we walk up to a register to pay for anything and find that we are paying nearly 2 dollars for every Euro. Beyond the incredible price of gas and high prices for everything, we are living in a place that values family, leisure, food and time. In that regard we are far, far away from America. And that makes me happy. 6-weeks to go.