First week - Jan 7, 2024
I'm here!! My flight over in business class would have been great if I actually slept for a single second. After a fabulous meal, I was able to lie flat. However, the flight was bumpy. It wasn't like major turbulence, but just a constant shaking. So, I arrived here with zero sleep.  

What a gorgeous day to be landing in Porto. Little did I know that it was a rare sunny day!

I waited a long time for the baggage carousel to begin and then collected all five bags plus my carry-on and backpack to grab a Bolt.

Naomi and Kerby were at our apartment to meet me. THANKFULLY, they helped me carry everything in!

We immediately went to a Nepalese restaurant on the oceanfront for a fantastic lunch. We were able to sit outside in the sunshine. We were there for two hours when I started hitting the wall of 24-hour travel and no sleep.

That didn't prevent me from going back into the apartment and working for a couple hours.

The water was hooked up, but there was no electricity. I had to leave when it started to get dark. I'm at a nearby hotel because there is NO furniture.

The next morning I came back to the empty apartment to wait for the technician to turn on the power. It was a four-hour window… and at about three hours and 45 minutes all my lights came on. So, I didn't have to be there at all. That afternoon, I was able to venture out and start buying things. I knew I should buy a TV because the Internet and cable was being hooked up the next day. Unfortunately, it was raining and I'm using public transportation. I bought a 43-inch TV and dragged it through the mall and then waited in the rain for my Bolt. I managed to get it up to the apartment by myself and get everything ready for the cable guy to come the next day. Since we don't have any furniture, it's just sitting on its original box on the floor.

The next morning, I was back over here waiting for a partial furniture delivery that included a small bed. They gave me a six-hour window, and came at about the four-hour mark. It took them about 45 minutes to put everything together. I'm pleased with the furniture and how it looks. After they left, I ran back out to get more hangers and other things to continue trying to put things away. While at the store, Maria from RTP texted me and said the cable guy was on his way and he was early. I was thrilled that he was early and so I rushed back home. He told me in his very broken English that it was an easy job. After about 20 minutes, he said he had to go and get a key. I then waited and waited and WAITED. At about 75 minutes later, he finally comes back with his son that he went and picked up at school! I was really beginning to think he wasn't coming back, except that he left all his tools in the apartment. I guess when it's time to pick up your son, you just go. Thankfully, his son spoke more English than he did, and was able to communicate with me. We were able to hook up the Internet and the TV; however, I'm not able to get the "free" HBO Max or Amazon Prime installed. They tried for a couple hours and said that they don't usually help with that part of the installation and it's only the hardware that they install. It's now three days later and it's still not working because every attempt I do to figure it out, it's all in Portuguese and I must run it through translation while opening different links. Then I lose the link that asked for the code, because I'm running the translation in another app. It's not high on my priority list since it seems like there are so many other things that I need to do.  I know that this will all be a distant memory probably by next week, but it is a slog.

I've been back-and-forth to various malls so many times that I'm averaging at least 18,000 steps a day and a few of these days I've had as many as 22,000 steps. I've been on the Metro numerous times and have started to already learn (but not pronounce) each of the stops.

Unfortunately, I had been unable to stay at the apartment because the gas heat isn't being hooked up until nine days after I arrive. After four nights at the hotel, I checked out yesterday and I'm staying in the apartment. There is no heat nor hot water, but I did go over to El Corte Ingles in Gaia and bought an electric blanket so that I don't freeze overnight. You can see that my nightstand is an upside-down box.

I just sit around in the house in my winter coat with a scarf and can work on my laptop and do other little things in the house. There's not much more I can do here until we get furniture. I know that on the PT Facebook page people recommend not bringing all your stuff because you can buy everything here. What they don't mention is that you still must go purchase everything, and sometimes those things can't be delivered for weeks. Also, bringing items home without a car is very difficult. It's not easy carting everything by yourself in a Bolt.

My first meal! Toast with olive oil and balsamic instead of butter because there is no silverware.

It was much easier to go to Cafe Wilson around the corner. The two men sitting at the window table next to me went out to smoke and their food arrived. Pancakes... and beer! That's definitely a new one to me.

There's been many other little trials along the way. One morning, my phone was locked, and I couldn't get any data. I walked to the Vodafone store, where they were able to unlock it for me. Little did I know that I'd be back to the Vodafone store another half dozen times!

Then the Abanca card did not work, and I could not get out the required cash that I need to pay the gas inspector.

But suddenly it worked again the next day. Figuring out HOW to get money out was another issue. Thank God for Google translate!

WEEK TWO
             I'm out walking in Parque da Cidade for the first time since arriving. It's my version of lying in the bed and pulling the covers up over my head. That's how I feel at this point with how difficult everything has been. Right now, I have so many outstanding issues that I just want the world to go away. The newest banking issue is that I can't get into the account via the mobile app nor the computer. I can't choose “forgot my PIN” because it's in Portuguese and it still doesn't work even when I translate it. It looks like I may have to take the train down to Ovar to see Sarah at Abanca to straighten out my online banking access. I'm supposed to give her the original copies of our change of address and so maybe it's just worth a trip down there. The problem is that I had tried to pay for some furniture, and two different credit card companies declined payment because they will not accept the Texas ZIP Code for the billing address. So, I chose “bank transfer”, which I thought would be an easy transaction. But with the bank account locked… that was not to be. So now the furniture order that includes a couch, TV stand, and dining chairs has been canceled. I feel like the next emergency is getting some furniture into this house, especially before Robin and Lily arrive. I also know it could be WEEKS to arrive. I'm still waiting on a nightstand I ordered November 27th!

Thankfully, the Parque is perfect to settle my mind!

Meanwhile, there are issues getting Lily over here.  She was not able to go to her vet appointment yesterday for the USDA paperwork because Dallas had ice and snow, so the vet office canceled the appointment. It's scheduled for tomorrow, but that may not be enough window of time to get the paperwork back. We might have to reschedule Robin's flight. I guess I knew that everything would be hard but, in some ways, I didn't think it would be this hard. I’m calling it, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”.

Robin is trying to get Lily acclimated to the crate before leaving Dallas, but Lily is not interested.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some items so that I can eat from home. Thankfully, the gas is now on, so I do have heat and hot water.

However, going to the grocery store isn't easy at all. Mostly everything has to be run through Google translate.

I looked EVERYWHERE for milk. Specifically, almond milk. Turns out, it's on a shelf and not refrigerated. The first container I grabbed had a picture of a baby on it... Google translate called it "breast milk" (I guess that's what they call formula).

Same for eggs... only on a shelf.

I only purchased fruits or vegetables that already had a barcode because the thought of figuring out how to weigh something was too overwhelming!

Self checkout was easier because it did have an English option.

All receipts are like a mile long.

Beautiful sunset out my window tonight. I do LOVE our new home and the location is fantastic!

I'm walking to the bus stop to head into Porto. Always a beautiful walk in this direction.

I'm taking a rare day "off" to meet with Naomi and Kerby to walk to Parque Oriental do Porto. We came across this labyrinth at San Roque Park on the way.

Robin and Lily at DFW airport getting ready to leave. It's been quite a trip regarding the paperwork. The rescheduled vet appointment left us little time to get it back. The vet's office sent off immediately and it was approved within a few hours. We were given the FedEx tracking number, and it looked like it was good to go. However, because of bad weather across the entire US, it was delayed in Champaign, Illinois. On Wednesday afternoon, our contact person at the vet’s office called Robin stating she is very worried about the paperwork arriving on time. The reason for this was she had another client who had been to the office the week before, and their paperwork was STILL stuck in Champaign, Illinois. In fact, they had to go on to Germany without their dog, and the dog was stuck at the Dallas airport. She recommended that we basically start over and resubmit the paperwork and pay the fees again. This time, we would request the Austin or Oklahoma USDA office. This was a good call because Robin was able to get the paperwork on Friday.

WEEK THREE
Well… It's been 48 hours since they arrived. I was so happy to see both come through that arrival gate, but especially Lily because that IS a grueling trip. At that time, however, we did not know how grueling and traumatizing it really was for her. Only when we got to the house did we figure out that the zip ties that Robin applied in Dallas had never been removed as well as the food attached to the crate had never been opened. Poor Lily had to even pee inside the crate. She ended up being in that crate for 18 hours total!! We are furious with Lufthansa. Unbelievable…after all their promises and Robin’s repeated phone calls assuring us that Lily would be fed, walked, and allowed to poop and pee while at the Frankfurt Pet Relocation Center. We have filed a complaint with them. Lily does not seem the same; she suddenly seems very old. It could just be that she is very old, however, we do know she just went through a very difficult experience. 

Thankfully, she loves her new lime green dog bed.

The source of her trauma is now the dining table.

To make it up to her, we are taking her everywhere. To Parque de Cidade by our house....

and along the ocean...

...and even out for pastries.

We are finally venturing out without Lily. We met up with some of the Portland to Portugal Facebook group members at the Dom Henrique rooftop bar. This is the view of the sunset out the window behind the bar on the 17th floor.

Afterwards, we went out to dinner with Naomi and Kerby. Our first choice for a restaurant was fully booked. We will have to learn that you must make a reservation! We ended up sitting outside and freezing our ass off. I didn't even have a coat; I was only wearing a vest. Thankfully, they had blankets and the restaurant was quite good. It was a lovely dinner and we were there for 2+ hours.

Yay! Our furniture has arrived! It's so nice to have the TV off the floor...

...as well as a couch to watch it from. Of course, the dining area isn't functional yet because we haven't decided on a table.

We've been to SO MANY shopping malls and furniture stores. This is one of our favorite kitchen stores since we can walk to it.

We finally have dishes, silverware, pots and pans, etc.

We brought our expensive (but dull) knives from the US. I'm glad we waited to have them sharpened. You can get knives sharpened at the famous Bolhao market in downtown Porto. The cost? Three euros for three knives!

ONE MONTH
At about a month (at least for me), the tasks/errands are finally slowing down. I've also been working this whole time, training my replacement. Now we are starting to enjoy very long walks and exploring our new country.

Walking along the Douro River at the southern end of Foz.

I love it that the cars go out over the river.

Another day we walked to beautiful Parque de Serralves.

We can't wait to visit when everything is in full bloom instead of just a few plants here and there.

Another day we walked north to Leca.

There is never a shortage of beautiful tiled buildings.

Meanwhile, we got a table!

As well as a rug to stifle the deafening LOUD sound of anything dropping on the floor.

Lily now has dog stairs so she can still get on the couch.

I've solved my unable-to-call my Dad issue. He doesn't have a smart phone, nor a computer to do zoom. We found out we can call landline to landline for free after 9pm UK time and on weekends. This is a $5 phone. We couldn't find a phone jack in our apartment, apparently they don't install them anymore and you have to use the back of the router. But at least I can call my dad now!

Another day, another long walk.

We decided to try this little local cafe that is off the beaten path

Even more daring is trying the most famous dish in Portugal - the francesinha. It's layers and layers of calories - bread, cheese, beef, ham, egg, and sausage. As if that weren't enough calories, they throw french fries in the dish and cover it with a beer/tomato sauce. We split one with chicken... but they still stuck a hot dog and ham in it. It will probably be our last one too. Not terrible, but certainly not worth the calories. Since we didn't eat all of it...

... it seemed justifiable to have some gelado.

We met up with a walking group for a walk through the Botanical Gardens.

I joined one of the "Thirteen Men Laughing" statues in Cordoaria's Garden.

We had gorgeous sunny weather for a few weeks. Now it's back to the rainy weather. Although we do have a washer/dryer combo (in one machine), the clothes don't dry very well and so you must use a clothes rack or be able to hang your clothes on a clothesline out your window.

A single photo cannot begin to capture the 50 mph wind gust we had as this woman struggles with her umbrella.

After every windy, rainy day... you'll see a few umbrellas in trash cans.

A break in the rain! The sun breaks can be a few minutes or a few hours and then it's a deluge of rain again.

The (usually) very crowded Esplanade is quite empty because of the stormy weather.

Out exploring another new neighborhood before the next band of rain.

We stumbled on a large tent with a chocolate festival.

Back home while it rains again. We feel like this room is mostly finished. However, we cannot lower or raise the electric blind because it throws the breaker off for the whole apartment. We've even tried unplugging EVERYTHING and it still throws the breaker. It worked the first few weeks, so we are not sure what the problem is now. Supposedly, someone will come and look at it soon.

This room is still bare bones. But Lily loves it because she can easily get on the bed.

We have plenty of time to furnish the apartment. We LOVE it here and can't wait to explore the rest of Portugal!

UPDATE  -  May 2024

I have been here over four months now and absolutely LOVE it! That first month (especially those first two weeks!!) are a distant memory. We've had our a AIMA appointment (one in Braganza and the other in Braga), received our residency cards (two months apart), had a slew of medical tests that would've never been approved in the US, worked with a medical concierge company (Serenity) to do so, and now have our NISS as well as our Utente numbers. We could not be more thrilled with the move and have started exploring Portugal.

Sadly, we lost our little Lily nine weeks after her traumatic arrival in Portugal. Although she had had high liver enzymes in Portland, we thought it was under control when we left. We will never know if the trauma of the move or all the new foods she had to eat elevated her enzymes to a very high level. We are extremely grateful for the 15 fantastic years that we had with this wonderful little creature!