Last day

June 21, 2007

To have had the opportunity to step away from everything familiar for 6-months has been an incredible privilege and without question, I have been thoroughly enriched from the experience. Today is my last day in Portugal.

Though I am sad to leave Portugal and our 6 months, I am ready to go home. Whether it is a matter of coping or if it is just time for change, we have been feeling restless, irritable and even a little bored. If we were to stay, we would need to make big changes in the way we have been living…less food, more distance from Duarte’s parents, a regular schedule, etc. The kids feel it too. They have been quite ornery lately.

And so, I will leave early tomorrow morning (3:30am) to return to the hustle of real life. I wish I could take my family with me. The loneliness I will no doubt be feeling without Duarte and the kids scares me. I already miss them.

Duarte’s family had a beautiful parting dinner for me last night. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a meal as much as that one. The evening was festive as we ate outside on the patio listening to music. Dona Elena grilled sardines and chicken and steaks. There were lobsters and platters of shrimp. Fresh salad was served from the garden along with green beans. Susana and I ate two helpings of chocolate mousse for dessert even though there could not have been even the tiniest bit of room left in my stomach. Lipe brought a special wine and Filinto did too. We ate and laughed and danced and drank until it was time to go home.

We have indulged so much…but not too much… Eating food someone else has cooked every meal of every day, has been magnificent. Though I will leave 10 lbs heavier than when I arrived, I am also more fit than I have ever been. Exercising every day for hours at a time has been one of the more unexpected pleasures we have appreciated. Time…the most valuable gift of all. Time to play, talk, sleep, write, read, eat…there just isn’t enough of that in our American life. Months away has also allowed me to see my life differently. I hope to make some changes when I return. It is also nice to see American culture from a distance. I understand things about our culture better since living abroad.

6 months in Portugal comes to a close. The time has passed quickly. And now, with only a few more hours remaining and a beautiful afternoon waiting for me, I am going to go out and soak it all in.

“Te proxima”