Changingmylife - Blog Posts

5 days

As my Portuguese adventure approaches (6 nights left to sleep in Finland) I made a short list of things what to expect my life to be in Portugal. Probably things won’t turn out this way but I’ll let you know how it went. This is how I feel NOW. 

I tried to create a positive list that reflects my interests. So don’t be disappointed not to find out the impressive numbers of how many corks the country produces or how many sunny days does it have in a year. Because those are not the reasons why I’m moving to Lisbon. 

(any of these photos are mine - since I haven’t been able to take them yet!)

UNDERSTAND

The history of Portugal and Lisbon. Being one of the oldest nations, countries and cities in Europe I expect the old times to be present all around me. In the architecture, the way people are, in the language...

Portugal was the first country to descriminalise the use of all drugs in 2001. And apparently the numbers of addicts etc. have gone down since then.

Portugal was one of the countries that the recent economical crisis’ have hit hard. Since then the figures have improved and been going up but still Portugal is still considered a poor country.

Things will happen SLOWLY. Also the matter of times when people say to meet at 5pm this doesn’t mean 5pm but 30min or more later.

SEE

Street art. Lisbon seems to be very colorful and ”arty” and free what comes to creating the art.

LEARN

Portuguese and to be able to communicate with over 200 million people in the world.

EAT

Great food. Apparently a lot of fish. Wine obviously. Good coffee! Ice cream on the other hand I have not very high expectations.

DO

Excercise. Lisbon is being built on several hills (still not sure is it 7 or 8, I keep reading different figures) so discovering my new city will go for a work out untill I get my gym membership going on.

Travelling. As one of the most greatest travel destinations in the world I expect to see a wide range of pretty amazing things while living in Portugal.

(the red forest in Sintra)

FEEL

Warm. Portugal has the warmest winters even thou they can include cool winds and quite heavy rain. But when compared to Finnish/Canadian winters I’ll be fine. 

Safe. Portugal has been rated as the 5th peaceful countries in the world and even though no stranger to crimes – with a use of a common sense you should survive without being mugged, raped, beated up or murdered. Just don’t wave around your wallet, jewellery, expensive camera etc. in a “come and get me” like. Check out the areas where NOT to go alone/in the night and don’t get too drunk. Or so I’ve been told.

EXPERIENCE

Fado – music. The poetic, melancholic tunes that seem to express the most deepest emotions of the nation. Similar to the one that swept Europe of its feet at Eurovision. 

Portuguese CouchSurfing community.

Lower cost of living. But this doesn’t mean  that I expect to have tons of money but compared to Finland for example, things will be cheaper for me.

MEET

Shy but friendly people. They apparently have pretty good English language skills also which will help me ‘till I get my portuguese skills up to date. 

International spirits at the office as outside of it. This doesn’t mean not-portuguese but people with an open mind.