Love your description of living in your beautiful town. We feel the same way about living in the heart of old Tavira. We walk everywhere and call it our “big little town” because while small in population, so many amazing restaurants, cafes, festivals and celebrations. And we are so aware now how gun culture in America hung over us like a cloud. Always looking for the bearings exit and subconsciously thinking what our escape plan could be. Very happy to be living in this amazing country.
Tomorrow is the day when we finally move into our little house in Vila Real de San Antonio. I look forward to experiencing all of the sights and sounds that you describe so eloquently.
Loved seeing the video. We visited VRSA in late 2021 and thought it was a wonderful town - thanks for the memory. I may have to go back now that you have pickleball :-)
With all the walking we do I expected to loose some weight after arriving. Lol. But the amount of great food, and the frequent occasions to enjoy a drink with friends, and walking past a bakery on the way home from the plaza... all had a very different idea for me. Thanks for painting this picture of VRSA.
You are so right about the ease of walking around VRSA. I have a delightful bar just below my apartment which closes by 8p.m. so no noise from them. A stroll to the square is 5 minutes and I pass the supermarket on the way unless I move over to "Main Street" and window shop.
We live in the big city of Porto (the same population as Tallahassee FL, but MUCH more compact and walkable). We routinely walk between 4-6 miles (I haven’t converted) per day. At our farmácia downstairs, they know our name. We used the same Walgreens for 10 years and they never had a clue who we were.
We did a quick stop in VRSA for lunch today on our way back to Alcobaca from Estepona, Spain. What a cute town! We will come back when we have time to stay and visit.
Glad to hear that in addition to walking on the golf course, 18 holes, +/- 5 miles I would venture to guess. Walking in VRSA is flat and very doable. Do you ever walk from home to Monte Gordo via the pine forest then back up the beach toward Spain until you hit the main trail, then back home through the pine forest again?
A walkable city or town has been on our list when we retire, hopefully it is many peoples list so that one stays active. Thank you Nancy!
While we enjoy the benefits and diversity of living in a bigger city, there is definitely an appeal to a place where everything you need is within one block. And you're right - prayers are not enough. But it seems that they are all that the R's are willing to provide. We're going back for two weeks around Thanksgiving and I'm already starting to think about our safety there.
A stroll 'midst two city's concrete sparks,
Then shots in the dark … and safety departs.
In urban canyons, chance weaves two different tales,
Two countries , two cultures which story prevails?
Fat chance, they claim, in this concrete game,
In one city’s pulse, safety finds its name.
While far away the balance shifts far to the right
It’s guns, not roses that frame that other city’s urban plight
Love your description of living in your beautiful town. We feel the same way about living in the heart of old Tavira. We walk everywhere and call it our “big little town” because while small in population, so many amazing restaurants, cafes, festivals and celebrations. And we are so aware now how gun culture in America hung over us like a cloud. Always looking for the bearings exit and subconsciously thinking what our escape plan could be. Very happy to be living in this amazing country.
Bom Dia Nancy -
Tomorrow is the day when we finally move into our little house in Vila Real de San Antonio. I look forward to experiencing all of the sights and sounds that you describe so eloquently.
See you soon!
B
Welcome!
Loved seeing the video. We visited VRSA in late 2021 and thought it was a wonderful town - thanks for the memory. I may have to go back now that you have pickleball :-)
With all the walking we do I expected to loose some weight after arriving. Lol. But the amount of great food, and the frequent occasions to enjoy a drink with friends, and walking past a bakery on the way home from the plaza... all had a very different idea for me. Thanks for painting this picture of VRSA.
Love the photo of the marina in the morning.
Being drawn to the town square by music is such a "life in Portugal" experience. We stayed in Braga recently and I loved the music we heard in the historic city center. I included a few snippets of that audio in my newsletter this week. https://open.substack.com/pub/juliearing/p/braga-portugal?r=3gg1j&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Love this! I hope I can post something like this some day.
Being able to walk everywhere sounds magical! And yay for Pickleball!
You are so right about the ease of walking around VRSA. I have a delightful bar just below my apartment which closes by 8p.m. so no noise from them. A stroll to the square is 5 minutes and I pass the supermarket on the way unless I move over to "Main Street" and window shop.
Looks and sounds lovely….adopt me !
We live in the big city of Porto (the same population as Tallahassee FL, but MUCH more compact and walkable). We routinely walk between 4-6 miles (I haven’t converted) per day. At our farmácia downstairs, they know our name. We used the same Walgreens for 10 years and they never had a clue who we were.
We did a quick stop in VRSA for lunch today on our way back to Alcobaca from Estepona, Spain. What a cute town! We will come back when we have time to stay and visit.
Glad to hear that in addition to walking on the golf course, 18 holes, +/- 5 miles I would venture to guess. Walking in VRSA is flat and very doable. Do you ever walk from home to Monte Gordo via the pine forest then back up the beach toward Spain until you hit the main trail, then back home through the pine forest again?
A walkable city or town has been on our list when we retire, hopefully it is many peoples list so that one stays active. Thank you Nancy!
Yes, we have been known to walk with Onix to MG for Sunday breakfast via the beach.
While we enjoy the benefits and diversity of living in a bigger city, there is definitely an appeal to a place where everything you need is within one block. And you're right - prayers are not enough. But it seems that they are all that the R's are willing to provide. We're going back for two weeks around Thanksgiving and I'm already starting to think about our safety there.
Safe travels