I have written before about how safe Portugal is. And I have commented on the fact that I no longer watch or read news commentary for four to five hours a day. But I have realized there is a third element to my newfound peace…when you live a life without noise.
Safety
Portugal ranked third in the World Population Review annual report.
Portugal comes in third in the most peaceful countries rankings. In 2014, Portugal was ranked 18th globally and has since made huge strides to be ranked third. Unlike Iceland and New Zealand, Portugal has armed police; however, it seems that an increased police presence has resulted in a decreased crime rate in the country. In the past six years, Portugal has made an economic resurgence, decreasing its unemployment rate from over 17% to under 7%. Due in large part to its level of safety, Portugal is ranked as the best country for retirement in 2020 according to the Annual Global Retirement Index. — World Population Review
Only Iceland, with a population of 340,00, and New Zealand whose government immediately responded to the Christchurch attacks ranked higher. But to be fair, the rankings reflect the factors considered which include ongoing international and domestic conflict, societal safety and security, and militarization. So without a strong military presence and a culture that respects rules and order as well as family and community ties…it is no wonder Portugal scores so high.
So while I enjoy the fact that I feel like I can walk the streets alone at midnight, over the past few weeks I have realized there is more than this to the peace I enjoy.
Filling Your Mind
I wrote before about how my mental health improved when I stopped filling it with news commentary. I can’t recall the last time I turned on CNN. From time to time I will watch an excerpt of Nicole or Rachel on YouTube…but I rarely complete a 5-minute episode. I have decided I know how it is going to come out.
[But of course, I am not perfect! As I am writing this the indictments in NY are being unsealed. I suspect I will spend some time later today catching up on that news. Editor’s Note: I did. As I have watched too many white-collar criminals get a slap on the wrist…I fear I know how this is going to come out.]
Lack of Language Comprehension
But over the past two weeks, I have come to the realization that my lack of Portuguese language skills…particularly comprehensive has provided a quietness amidst the noise. I don’t know if it is a male thing or a Portuguese male thing…but they tend to speak loudly and with great enthusiasm. Maybe it is just that the male voice carries further…I am not sure.
However, when you don’t have a clue what they are talking about it becomes a type of white noise.
In signal processing, white noise is a random signal having equal intensity at different frequencies, giving it a constant power spectral density. — Wikipedia
Similarly, there are the children currently playing in the schoolyard across the street. Their screeches and songs fill the air. Much higher-pitched than the groups of men but equally as loud…it doesn’t disturb me. It is my own personal, no-cost, sound machine.
Hi Nancy--
I've really enjoyed your posts. Thank you (and great photos too). This one struck a chord as we are expats from the SF bay area and the language, the peace/noise and giving up the 24 hr news cycle (we were pretty heavy into it; Nicole, Rachel as well) all align with what we have experienced. We moved here in April (been in an airbnb in Principe Real for 3 months but moving tomorrow to an apartment in Campo de Ourique, a lovely neighborhood as well, both in Lisbon).
Why I am commenting today: yes, the men speak very loudly (and passionately) but I had the experience of being very close to a bee hive of women all talking at the same time when I had a heart "event" 2 weeks into moving here. I got phenomenal care at Hospital da Luz/Lisboa but day 1 in the emergency dept, there was a female patient in my 8-bed room that had visitors; 3 ladies and I could not believe the speed and volume of their talking. I wondered if I would get any sleep but thankfully they were gently moved along around 9P....so, suffice to say that women can hit some high decibel levels as well!
PS: if you ever want to hear more about a side-by-side comparison of healthcare here in PT as opposed to the US, it is exponentially better here (my experience) at a fraction of the cost (especially bedside manner in how the Portuguese put a huge value on empathy, care and concern). It was nothing short of mind-blowing.
Julie (not missing life in the US one bit. Physical safety is at the top of my list of favorite things about Portugal so far. Everyone talks about the fish, but their bread is pretty amazing as well)!
well said. We can all use a bit of peace and quiet in this turbulent world. I say this as we are battening down the hatches in preparation of Tropical Storm Emma - or is it Erma? Anyway, I have moved my outdoor furniture to safety. Do they have storms in Portugal?