Reflections on Our Portuguese Life, 2025

Taking off my rose colored glasses...

I will admit this year I am a bit melancholy. For the first time in five years, there are parts of the US that I miss. Perhaps it is because I watch more US television¹ and, as a result, see glamorous, romanticized photos of NYC, LA, San Diego, Palm Springs² …

ChatGPT created this image, though it isn’t that far off.

Portuguese Frustrations

The small bar on the corner of our street has a party every Christmas Eve. Starting at about 15:00, young and old gather on the street and start drinking beer. I understand from neighbors that this tradition goes back decades. This year, someone brought a horn to the party and occasionally played reveille. Charming … no, really, I think this holiday gathering is sweet. We don’t participate … but I love the holiday spirit it invokes. However, for the past 3 years³, I rise Christmas morning and see something like the photo above when I open our shutters. Cans litter the street, the window sills, doorways … I even found one can perched on the roof of our car. After walking Onix, I grab a large trash bag and begin the cleanup. This year, I made three trips to the metal recycling container. It is not that I mind the 30 minutes I spend on this new Christmas ritual.⁴ It’s just … like the folks that stack their trash next to the garbage cans … I just don’t get it.

I also will never get used to a Portuguese person’s inability to deliver bad news. Let me provide a very recent example. About 10 days ago, we noticed that our underfloor heating was not working. I consulted the Error Log on the console and found "HP-Water Switch”. I immediately called Reinaldo (the man who had installed the system). He took my call. because he had forgotten that the number was mine. He explained that he had had his hip replaced 1 month ago. However, after asking me to check a few things, he said he would come over the next morning. I suggested that perhaps he could recommend someone else to effect the repair. “No, I am the only person who knows how the system works. I will come by in the morning.” When the next morning came, he did not arrive. I tried to text him… then call. No response … reminded of my number and did not pick up my call. I sent a very polite email. No response.⁵ After 5 days like this, I started looking for another company that could affect the repair. ⁶ Okay, he had his hip replaced … I get it. But just tell me you can’t help! Don’t lie to me!!!

I suspect you are sensing my frustration. I miss the directness of Americans.

Of course, this year we also saw the rise of the Far Right Nationalists (Chega) in Portugal. It is a significant crack in my idyllistic view of European civility. Yes, Portugal is not alone in this. But it is a symptom of deep, deep problems in the country. Wages are too low. Housing costs are too high. The government is ineffective. The whole country goes on strike. Our neighbors (he was born in Germany and she in Canada), of Pakistani descent, are harassed on the street. They opened a business in Portugal, thinking it would expedite her residency. But the AIMA representatives they have encountered are racist as well. I asked Mazzy if it might be better to go back to Germany. His response, “We would face the same prejudice in Germany … it would take 5 to 10 years.” Don’t tell me the Germans have forgotten…

I would like to visit Marilyn.

Are We Going Back?

The quick answer is no. First, and most importantly, my wife would stay in Portugal.

And while, at times, I fail to "appreciate” certain aspects of the Portuguese culture, there are more that I now hold in my heart. The warm greetings and sincere inquiries about your well-being from Portuguese acquaintances. Their willingness to allow me to continue to struggle with their language, even though I have been here for 5 years. The fact that shop and restaurant owners trust you to pay the bill the next time you pass by if you failed to bring enough cash. The ability of children to play without adult supervision. The quality of the fresh produce … the air … the sun’s warmth on my skin, which feels somehow stronger here.

And when I think about it … where would I go? I could not go back to the US.⁷ At least in Portugal,

• When a party goes too far, they are called out for it.

• Our President is willing to say out loud what everyone is thinking … Trump is “a Russian asset".

• And our former PM, now EU Council President, responded strongly to the US’s newest national security strategy. I suspect the many Americans who didn’t vote in the last election don’t even know about this document.

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” - G.T.Shedd (Snapped when I took Onix for her morning walk.)

Sorry

I’m sorry, this is not my typical upbeat end-of-the-year post. Of course, I know we are very fortunate. We live in a beautiful home and want for nothing. I have a partner who loves and supports me … trust me, I know living with me is not always easy. We continue to travel, exploring places we only once imagined.

This year, I had planned to write about the biggest change in my life, the courage I found around my art. I invested in a studio … am displaying my work … even selling my art. (And truthfully, once I complete one final edit on this post and grab breakfast, I will head to the studio to explore, to play. Perhaps I will actually even “make” something today.)

So despite the frustrations, on the whole, it was a good year. Courage does not come easily … but it seems it came to me this year.

Diga, Quais são as suas reflexões para 2025?

Nanc

In Case You Want to See Me: While my next Substack post won’t be published until 12 January, you can still get your Whiteman-fix. Portugal Junkies will be publishing a two-part interview with me on 2 January and 9 January. (I suspect the links to the Podcasts/YouTube videos won’t work till the date shown.) The interview focuses on our renovation project.

1. I do NOT miss the pharmaceutical ads. How many weight loss drugs does one country need? And $7 generic viagra via an online doctor. I use an online doctor to get my exam for IMT, but not for a drug that could cause a heart attack. Though if you are going to have a heart attack …

2. After I watched the Eagles play the Chargers, I really wanted to see SoFi Stadium in person.

3. I only noticed the party after we moved into our home.

4. I will say I do mind the idiots who throw their cans down the storm drain. I did retrieve a dozen or so … but I am certain many were too far gone.

5. In case you are wondering…the good news is we are not freezing. The “central” air conditioning system can also act as a heater. I am not sure what our next electric bill will be, but at least we are warm.

6. I did locate a company in Loulé that I hope will be sending a technician today, i.e., the day you are reading this.🤞

7. Despite a booming economy, low unemployment, wage growth, and declining inflation, the US elected a madman, who is also a sexual predator. How could I possibly go back?