We have moved into our new apartment. At long last, we can unpack our luggage and settle into being residents of this city. The apartment is in the heart of…
There are a few milestones in the life of an expat that move you further away from being a “visitor” to being a “resident” of a new country. Examples might…
As I wander through the streets of Lisbon and the coastal towns that follow the Tejo river south toward the sea, I occasionally come across signs like this one: They…
A month into my mini-sabbatical and the idea of rest is percolating across my field of view. It started with a meditation from poet David Whyte: REST is the conversation…
As I have visited various Lisbon apartments and condominiums in search of our next home, one thing that has struck me is the (tiny) size of most kitchens relative to…
One of my favorite things to do in a new country is to visit the grocery store. You can learn a lot about a culture there. The most mundane errand…
Today makes two weeks that I’ve been here, but I’ve been upright for only about half of it. I still have a lingering cough that is manageable as long as…
I am not afraid . . . of rough spots . . . or lonely times . . . I don’t fear . . . the success of this endeavor…
After 12 weeks of manic purging, organizing and cleaning, the house is finally empty. We have lived here for 17 years, longer than anywhere I have ever lived in my…
We are not hoarders. And, yet… Preparing for the adventure ahead has been nothing if not an exercise in reducing our material possessions. When it’s all done, we will have…