This is going to take some getting used to....

Friday morning, January 5: We took Marcos to visit his “play group” in Nantes this morning. It is the same school that Duarte went to as a child and it sits outside of the church where Duarte and I were married. It is a small granite building undoubtedly hundreds of years in age. Inside, the room is filled with color, arts supplies, six Portuguese children dressed in blue smocks, a miniature kitchen, miniature couches, miniature everything. The walls are covered in pictures and paintings by the young artists.

Marcos was really nervous when we entered the little school. He clung to me as he faced his new reality. The children spoke Portuguese welcoming him but even this was uncomfortable for Marcos. His new professora was delightful. She spoke her language rapidly and I understood enough to know that she was excited for Marcos to begin school. She had a wrapped present waiting for him which she claimed Santa left on Christmas. Marcos was thrilled. After opening the remote control bulldozer, he then decided he would explore the different play areas in the room. He settled in the play kitchen area. He and a little boy named David played in the kitchen for a long while. When I asked Marcos if he was ready to go he said he was not. I think that was a good sign. We’ll try for a full morning next week. I think it will be okay.

Friday afternoon: Today the sun broke through the thick fog we have been living in for the last 5 days. The sun always inspires me to get outside and so that’s just what we did. After putting the kids down for a nap at Quinta da Mata, Duarte and I went into Chaves to exercise. My plan was to go for a short run. Duarte donned his kayaking gear to play a little bit in the river that runs through town.

And so there we were enjoying the first rays of sun that we have seen in days and with the sunlight came warmth. I decided to wear shorts and a t-shirt for my jaunt about town. Two minutes into the run I became more visible than I have ever been in my entire life. There were a few things that drew the attention of EVERYONE to me… First, it is rare or unusual to see a female exercising in Chaves. Second, it is rare or unusual for anyone to wear shorts anytime, any place in Chaves – much less in January. Third, I was wearing vivid colors begging for attention in this subtly dressed community. As I ran through the park I felt hyperaware of myself among those around me. Every person that I passed stopped and held a gaze similar to that cow we saw yesterday. Old women chirped at me everywhere I went. Men made hearty, jovial comments. (none of which I understood). Cars stopped, horns were honking, fingers pointing. I was all too ready to finish up my run and join Duarte at the river. When I finally made the last turn toward the river, I smiled to myself seeing him in the river in his bright orange kayak and colorful river gear attracting his own curious audience.

This is going to take some getting used to.