Traveling to Portugal

/ moragnoffke

Why we went to Portugal

“Are you going to the school class reunion?” Gee asked, two expectant eyes looking back at us as we sat in Nando’s, a Portuguese style restaurant just outside Edinburgh, last November. “No” said Derek, “I know nothing about it.”  “Oh” Gee said, “wives are included in the invite.” We had arranged to meet Derek’s classmate at Nando’s as we knew he had recently moved to Edinburgh too. We had a great time even although I was a little nervous as I have previously suffered from social anxiety in South Africa. As they continued to chat I was mulling over the idea of going to Portugal for the class reunion. The facts were:

  1. we would just have traveled back from South Africa for the wedding 4 days prior to leaving for Portugal,
  2. I was a little dubious about my social anxiety and how I would feel about being with a whole lot of people I had never met before,
  3. but it was an amazing opportunity to travel to another country I had not visited,
  4.  it is much cheaper to fly to Portugal from Scotland than it is to travel from south Africa
  5. And I felt that Derek should not miss out on the opportunity of meeting up with his school friends. I didn’t want to stand in the way.

“We should go,” I said, “it will be fun.” And that was that; only months later I began to wonder what I was letting myself in for.

My portrayal of travel: up close and personal

Before I go on I want to say tell you two things: (1) that this is not a travelogue but rather my personal experiences of visiting Portugal. (2) And although I struggle with social anxiety I also really enjoy friendly interaction and for me, this is the most enjoyable way to travel – connection with others. (Someone has said that I am an ambivert – someone sitting in-between an extrovert and an introvert. The Dictionary meaning: a person who has a balance of extrovert and introvert features in their personality; I think it describes me pretty well.)

Lisbon, Portugal

When I am in a situation I am not so sure about I like to think of positive motivating factors for proceeding with the plan. In this case I remembered that when I had done the Jungian art course in 2021 I had met a bunch of lovely people online and one of them lived in Portugal; Teresa, an art therapist. I wasn’t sure where she lived but as it’s been said to me, “asking is free. If you ask you might get but if you don’t ask you won’t get” and in this case it paid off. We had booked to stay in Lisbon on the first night and she stayed in the same suburb that we were staying in. What a coincidence! I was very excited to meet her. We met at a lovely restaurant, only walking distance from both of us. We had a wonderful time talking about all sorts of things and getting to know each other better. We laughed a lot too, as Derek and I had had quite an experience getting there on time with our suitcases. Teresa had messaged us the menu en-route so that we could choose our dinner just in case we ran late and the kitchen closed.  I am sure if we lived in the same suburb we would get together regularly. I love her art and we enjoy a real connection through sharing our art. I was so touched because she gave me a bag with one of her paintings on it and a card, both hand made by her. I hope we get to see her again and travel to the different places that she had recommended. I felt happy already just because I met with her.

The next day we went on a red bus tour in the morning to explore the architecture and the history of Lisbon. I find the history very interesting as I think it affects much of the world, including South Africa but I am not going to go into the history because there is a lot written about it already which you can find online. What I like about the Portuguese people is that they seem, on the whole, a very warm and inclusive nation. They feel very welcoming and friendly. Their love of colour and art is reflected in their architecture and buildings and in some way I feel it is an expression of them as a people as well. That’s my personal interpretation.

 At lunch time we met up with the rest of the class and traveled in a minibus to the farm, outside of Lisbon, where we were guests. The place is called Monte de Largo owned by one of Derek’s classmates.  It is both a wine-farm and resort, best described as a working farm very suitable for families as there are many different kinds of animals and lots of places to explore, as well as an indoor pool, and outdoor pool and a dam to swim in.

The posts that will follow will be a collection of my impressions of meeting with a crowd of people I had never met before, as well as some travel experiences, expressed through my poetry, journal entries and some photos.

How do you think I fared on this trip?

A warm smile – take care

21 thoughts on “Traveling to Portugal”

  5. Hello! I totally forgot that you moved to Edenborough. I was there last October. A friend and I were in the highlands climbing as many mountains or “Munros” as we could, but then had two days in your lovely city. I quite enjoyed all of Scotland, and especially Edenborough.

    I completely understand your social anxiety, but I’m so happy for your that it didn’t hold you back from meeting up with your friend. What a special coincidence – it must have been meant to be.

    Alisen

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    • That’s so wonderful to bag Munros! I would love to do that. I enjoy the Highlands very much. And Edinburgh is a lovely city to visit. I still want to explore the history and architecture of it some time. I have heard they built on top of parts creating layers which one can apparently see.
      Yes it was a special coincidence and I also thought it must have been meant to be. It gave me further confidence when I found myself doubting my audacity to try and meet up with her. Where we have bought a house (in Walkerburn, near Peebles) is hiking and cycling country and they have created many routes to explore. When we move in I will virtually be able to fall out of bed and be on a hike but, although it is very beautiful, it’s nothing as adventurous as you attempt in where you live. 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

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      • I didn’t have much time in Edinburgh other than to catch the highlights, but it’s a beautiful city. The castle is amazing. I definitely want to go back to the highlands, and maybe try to research some of my family history. I’m 75% scot (100% Ellison scot and 25% Lindsay scot). I was surprised by how the Highlanders were basically wiped out. Sad bit of history.

        I’m so glad you had the “audacity” to try 🙂 You’re stronger than you know, and so deserve to get out there and experience it all. So proud of you!
        Alisen

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      • I’m learning more and more about the Highlanders and what happened over the years. That’s a lot of heartache and loss. No wonder the Scots are still looking to separate and go their own way. Coming from an absurdly large country, I feel that bigger can be better, but with England out of the European Union…

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    • Yes it is. Also I think I am learning that some cultures are way more friendly and less judgmental than others… And I am developing more of a “take me as I am” approach. I remind myself that it’s my choice how I dress or present myself, or what I believe or value and that helps a lot because then there’s less to get anxious about. I remember when I traveled in Vancouver I literally got a fright because people were so friendly… Like shop assistants.. I was thinking “they just greeted… do they think they know me, they must have the wrong person” just because they greeted me. It was really amazing once I got used to it. I find the Scottish people in the Borders also really warm and friendly. That makes it so much easier.

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