Building A Life in Setúbal
Have I Become Even MORE American Here?
Good Morning Loves,
How was your weekend? Is it finally feeling like fall where you are? No? Here in south Portugal we have a slight coolness to the air, but it’s not time to break out the sweaters yet.
This weekend the city hosted a food truck rally. Fat Daddies BBQ was on the docket. YES! BBQ! I couldn’t wait and we headed out with our friends Paul and Ana to check it out.
Food trucks? Yes. BBQ truck? Um, no. Dang.
Eric and I have been gorging ourselves on YouTube videos about bbq. We watch them all the time and create road trip lists of all the places we need to visit in the US when we go back. Could I cook some pork or beef and put some homemade sauce on it? I could, but it is not the same. At all. Rodney Scott, where are you?
Next month will mark a year of living in Portugal. I guess the time has flown?
The bureaucracy here is insane. The language continues to elude me.
In short: I’ve become even MORE American here. How can that be?
As of now, I still have a few provisions from the states. Two Maybelline foundations, two Degree solid deodorants. One tiny tube of Oil of Olay eye cream. Lots of Jergens self tanning lotion that my sweet darlings Crystal and Kathryn loaded me up on.
The huge jar of Jif peanut butter is gone.
I still can’t use the stove top and oven at the same time without shorting out the entire apartment. This kinda kills the joy of cooking. But we cook all the same. Especially since we leave for 12 days in Spain on September 19th, come home for a week and then we are back out on the road traveling until November 5th. Eating healthy meals at home are a must when one is getting ready to nosh it up all over Europe.
If that didn’t sound like the biggest bucket of privilege ever, I don’t know what does. Eww.
I know how my life looks to outsiders. I do. Truly. Moving to Europe is such a big dream for so many. I still can’t believe we did it. But can we sustain this life? What will happen next? Income is a necessity. You know, to keep the water and electricity on. Frivolities like that. What will happen next? Life in Portugal is safe, granted, it’s BBQ-less, but safe. So staying would be best, if possible. Also, healthcare. ‘Nuff said there.
Returning to the states? That has more than its share of charms, too. For one, I can actually TALK to people and understand what they are saying to me. As weird as that sounds, never underestimate your ability to communicate with your neighbor without a translator app. It’s invaluable. My loved ones are there.
Say it with me, BBQ IS THERE.
This past Tuesday, Eric made fried chicken, mashed potatoes and slaw for us. It felt like home.
For a night. And anywhere Eric is, that’s where my heart and home is, too.
But…..what I wouldn’t give for a pulled pork sandwich with a side of brisket, y’all.
Pray for your girl. I’m wondering how I can wood smoke a pork butt in my rinky dink Easy Bake Portuguese oven.
On a completely unrelated note - Succession. Good Lord. I have watched the first 3 seasons in less than 2 weeks. I know, I am way late to the HBO party, but now I’m caught up to Eric so we can watch season 4 together.
Oh Kendall.
What that boy needs is a good dose of…BBQ.
You know it’s true.
Special hugs this week to Erika, June and Carrie who supported my little blog with their generous gifts. Thank you ladies.
Hug each other tightly and call your lawmakers. Remember that YOU ARE ENOUGH.
I love you.
xoxo,
P.
You are always with me in thought! Do they have crock pots there? That might help with your bbq pork butt. Do the have any local classes for learning Portuguese? That would be a cool group to be in. I’m going to learn Portuguese. I should, being almost 100% Portuguese. I’m trying duolingo. I know the dialect may not be right but hopefully someday I’ll learn enough to speak and understand. Take care!
My dear Patti,
I empathise with your situation, a lot. I applaud you for speaking candidly about your thoughts and feelings and the tension and challenges and pros and cons of it all, and what must be the ultimate mental dogfight of whether or not you should go back to the USA (and if you did, then where, and do what!?), if prospects here don't work out.
I'm not assuming you are, but if you are, forget about "how it looks", there is no shame or harm or embarrassment in trying something new, and deciding it wasn't right for you both at this time, or that the planets didn't remain aligned enough to make it sustainable to remain here. The Scientific Method is all about having ideas about how things might be, and conducting an experiemnt to work out if you're right, or not, and if you're not, then move on to some other 'experiment'. One Trick Ponies are boring, and you and Eric are the opposite. Hugz to you both. Let's catch up in November when we're both back from travels. xoxoxo