Jun 3, 2022·edited Jun 3, 2022Liked by Nancy Whiteman
Soooooo..........in Brazilian Portuguese (and perhaps in European Portuguese too? Who knows?) there is an expression: viajando na maionese! [Traveling in the mayonnaise.] This means, out of your mind, spaced out, when you say something that doesn't make sense. So of course this swimming in the mayonnaise triggered the viajando na maionese, and it seems to fit the excursions you have been on with this project! Estás a viajar na maionese? I wonder if the Portuguese have this expression. Perhaps they would recognize it from the Brazilian novelas? Maybe Vasvi estava a viajar na maionese when he came up with that VAT rate?
Oh boy! I definitely got a kick out of this! Also being a Type A, I believe I would be equally frustrated! Denise must have the patience of a saint! And I LOVE the term “goat rodeo”, finding it quite perfect for quite a number of situations here! Well done! I found this read so engaging and informative!
I heard your scream here in California! 😁 hang in there…sounds like you were meant to have Jose build your dream home. The universe always moves at its own pace…I love that you are there doing it and sharing it all with us.
Nancy, great article. I could say I’m sorry to hear this on so many fronts, but nothing will take away the feelings you have experienced. We must prepare ourselves for similar viajando na maionese as we move forward with our project.
was Vasvi planning to pocket the 17% difference in tax? why would you agree to that? i'm sorry to hear you are dealing with slow progress at the building department. it absolutely makes no sense. the sooner your project moves forward they will receive more tax revenue...
It appears the higher tax is customarily charged on buildings (in the historic zone) in Tavira where the vast majority of his projects reside. I really don't believe he was attempting to pocket the difference...instead he was concerned that at some time in the future Finanças would come after him, just as they have done with us and the transfer tax.
Love, love, love this one, Nancy! In one way or another, every expat we know has experienced something like this. Even if they're not building or renovating a property, they're swimming in mayonaise regarding the Portuguese bureaucracy. OK to switch the (earlier scheduled) article on why the Portuguese are emigrating elsewhere with this one in our Winter 2022-23 issue?
No surprise 😱 bureaucracy in Portugal is exasperating. My house is big and when I had it built in 18 months I had the project in the Câmara for 3/12 years before it was approved.
Thank you Maria….I have been told by several people that most builders are very good and that while there may be misunderstandings…they work todo a good job and to satisfy the homeowner.
Yes. First if you are making changes to the exterior of the building or have a large project you need a building permit. That is pretty standard anywhere in the world. Also we are in the historic zone meaning there are additional restrictions/rules.
We do have a friend that renovated “under the radar” in a more remote village home.
I really don't think so. The approval process is much longer in other cities (Cascais for example we know of one couple that are beginning their 40th month!) If TV renovation shows are to be believed, the approval process for historic buildings can be very long in the UK...so not unique to Portugal.
Soooooo..........in Brazilian Portuguese (and perhaps in European Portuguese too? Who knows?) there is an expression: viajando na maionese! [Traveling in the mayonnaise.] This means, out of your mind, spaced out, when you say something that doesn't make sense. So of course this swimming in the mayonnaise triggered the viajando na maionese, and it seems to fit the excursions you have been on with this project! Estás a viajar na maionese? I wonder if the Portuguese have this expression. Perhaps they would recognize it from the Brazilian novelas? Maybe Vasvi estava a viajar na maionese when he came up with that VAT rate?
Oh boy! I definitely got a kick out of this! Also being a Type A, I believe I would be equally frustrated! Denise must have the patience of a saint! And I LOVE the term “goat rodeo”, finding it quite perfect for quite a number of situations here! Well done! I found this read so engaging and informative!
I enjoy your posts a lot. If I had to go through this I would have pulled out all my hair!
We have thought. Maybe instead of our new build we should renovate a building. Then we thought….do we rally like mayonnaise? Great post
I heard your scream here in California! 😁 hang in there…sounds like you were meant to have Jose build your dream home. The universe always moves at its own pace…I love that you are there doing it and sharing it all with us.
I love this article! And in Southern California, goat rodeos abound!
🙃no words
Nancy, great article. I could say I’m sorry to hear this on so many fronts, but nothing will take away the feelings you have experienced. We must prepare ourselves for similar viajando na maionese as we move forward with our project.
Good title, Nancy….I’m swimming in mayo and all I’m trying to do is exchange a driver’s license!
WOW
was Vasvi planning to pocket the 17% difference in tax? why would you agree to that? i'm sorry to hear you are dealing with slow progress at the building department. it absolutely makes no sense. the sooner your project moves forward they will receive more tax revenue...
It appears the higher tax is customarily charged on buildings (in the historic zone) in Tavira where the vast majority of his projects reside. I really don't believe he was attempting to pocket the difference...instead he was concerned that at some time in the future Finanças would come after him, just as they have done with us and the transfer tax.
Love, love, love this one, Nancy! In one way or another, every expat we know has experienced something like this. Even if they're not building or renovating a property, they're swimming in mayonaise regarding the Portuguese bureaucracy. OK to switch the (earlier scheduled) article on why the Portuguese are emigrating elsewhere with this one in our Winter 2022-23 issue?
Okay by me
Muito obrigado.
No surprise 😱 bureaucracy in Portugal is exasperating. My house is big and when I had it built in 18 months I had the project in the Câmara for 3/12 years before it was approved.
I wish you good luck 👍
Thank you Maria….I have been told by several people that most builders are very good and that while there may be misunderstandings…they work todo a good job and to satisfy the homeowner.
does this mean you needed to wait for Camara to approve before you could start building?
Yes. First if you are making changes to the exterior of the building or have a large project you need a building permit. That is pretty standard anywhere in the world. Also we are in the historic zone meaning there are additional restrictions/rules.
We do have a friend that renovated “under the radar” in a more remote village home.
seems like the 3 1/2 Camara approval timeframe is meant to discourage renovators
I really don't think so. The approval process is much longer in other cities (Cascais for example we know of one couple that are beginning their 40th month!) If TV renovation shows are to be believed, the approval process for historic buildings can be very long in the UK...so not unique to Portugal.
Yes