Newyearnewpost - Blog Posts

Quilty

As the year of 2017 was approaching dangerously towards its end and I towards my 6 months living in Lisbon.. which in fact was the biggest change of life during my 2017. I am still in process of learning how to live and be in Portugal but just to gather some of the lessons learnt… if any.

Not a post about Portugal without a local door!  

I cannot show off with the time well spent since it took me 4 months to get myself to Sintra which is the #1 tourist attraction of the country and only 25km from the city and even longer it took to taste the Pasteis de Nata, which is the local and the most famous delicacy of Portugal. My portuguese skills haven’t developed either as fast as I would have hoped and I have hit some obstacles over there too. But at least I’m somewhat getting how to do things in local way...slowly. And speaking of! Here are somewhat the biggest hills of my Lisboa life so far. 

Pastéis de Belém, legend with a secret recipe since 1837.

SLOWNESS AND INEFFICIENCY

This has caused me the most stress and really question whether or not I am in the right country. I’ve changed bank and gym, I’ve had 7 different phone numbers from 3 different companies. After all of these efforts I have at least 2 out of 3 figured out. I’m realizing that the portuguese function more efficiently during the rush hour than only one customer standing on the line.This demands motivation and changing my way of thinking. 

MAKING FRIENDS

I guess I am a tricky nature. Uncomfortable with many, including with my own people, making friends carefully and trusting only a few rocks in my life. Life has made me this way and together with the character of Portuguese people (shy introvert) I knew finding my place socially might take some time. I still have not taken roots but I’ve made tons of people through Couchsurfing, Tinder and Facebook, made really good contacts and some potential friends. This has given me energy and motivation the most. The moments of joy and feeling of succeeding.

LANGUAGE LEARNING

I’ve never been to abroad without feeling so little like being abroad. Spending 9h of my day, almost 50 of my week in non-portuguese speaking environment – I could be in Timbuktu as far as I knew.. so you really need to make an effort during your free time to learn the language. Me and the negative mood I’ve been on have been my biggest obstacles I’ve been trying to overcome during these last few months.

I compare myself the ones that say Lisboa is the best place on earth. The ones that enjoy their every day they get to spend here. Because I’m not sharing the feeling. I’m not saying that I would not like to be here but it doesn’t wow me or creat me the feeling like I belong here, at least not yet. Lisboa is easy to fall in love when just visiting and it usually leaves the tourists hungry for more. And like mentioned before understanding this country ain’t always the easiest things to do but there are perks of living here which even I do enjoy..

This city is a caffeine addict’s dream. Besides restaurants and cafeterias, book stores and even garages have corner for people to enjoy their daily dose. I don’t usually like black coffee but gotta admit here – it’s not actually that bad. 

This city is for a museum lovers since Lisboa offers wide range from traditional art and historical museums that open up the character of this country until more special themed museums such as for water, coaches and pharmacy. I’ve read that there over 40 different museums in the city. Been to 1 one of them so far. I’ll get there.

Lisboa is an artwork. Hipsters, bohemians and everybody between will love it here. Each layer should be pealed one by one offering new flavours and tastes. Some say I do it too slowly but there’s magic discovering your surroundings doing it the way I do. There’s the art that’s been created on the streets, new pieces coming up every day but then there are the ones that are born within years even centuries made by its people.

Lisboa holds a majestic aura and its spirit is bold. Existing in the borders as we know it for 900 years the country’s different phases are everywhere. The streets I stepped into last July don’t look the same to me anymore. I understand better what was here before me and what has made the things as they stand in front of me. 

Portugal is known for its sunniest weather and mild temperatures even during the winter months but when we Finns have got used to warmed houses the portuguese are lacking the entire heating up the houses-systems. Rainy days are nice cause the night temperatures keep up around +10 degrees when in the clear nights they go as down as below +5. But then there are days when it’s almost +20 degrees and you can walk home with your coat open without heavy gear to keep you warm.

Looking forward to 2018 since for me the spring has already started. Every day gets lighter (not that it’s even really that dark in here) and warmer towards the summer.  Also I think a full year in a foreign country gives you quite educative image of what it’s like to live there. Spending less will only show you one side of the coin. So not quite done yet with Lisboa. 

Greatest moment: borrowing a book from phone box!