Hello from Ramada, Portugal. Our family journal is called "Life on the Slant" because we live on a steep hill and our house sits sideways at a right angle to the slope. We can see miles out the south side of the house across Lisboa (Lisbon), across the Teju River to mountains beyond. We can see 10 ft to the north to the side of the hill (mountain if you are in Illinois). East and west also afford great views that are especially attractive at night because of the city lights twinkling in the distance. Some one said today that everything in Portugal is uphill and it seems that way.
It also seems that the roads are very steep and have a distinct roller coaster feel to them as they also twist and turn. In some (many) places they are also too narrow for real cars to pass single file let alone for two way traffic. Buses and trucks are serious impositions on your road space especially head on. We are learning to get around a bit. GPS is helping a lot. Driving requires full attention most of the time as straight aways are few and far between and these little race cars buzz all around. (They seem to all be training for F-1 driving opportunities. Michelle would like this a lot.) This necessary focus on the road has slowed my opportunity to identify landmarks or even look at the GPS. I have had to go to audio with Nina or Kati reading the distances to the next turn. Nancy's job is to clutch the chicken bar and gasp frequently. She is also learning to make some new noises, maybe in Portuguese? She is really doing very well at all the challenges of setting up a home here. She also wants to write...
It also seems that the roads are very steep and have a distinct roller coaster feel to them as they also twist and turn. In some (many) places they are also too narrow for real cars to pass single file let alone for two way traffic. Buses and trucks are serious impositions on your road space especially head on. We are learning to get around a bit. GPS is helping a lot. Driving requires full attention most of the time as straight aways are few and far between and these little race cars buzz all around. (They seem to all be training for F-1 driving opportunities. Michelle would like this a lot.) This necessary focus on the road has slowed my opportunity to identify landmarks or even look at the GPS. I have had to go to audio with Nina or Kati reading the distances to the next turn. Nancy's job is to clutch the chicken bar and gasp frequently. She is also learning to make some new noises, maybe in Portuguese? She is really doing very well at all the challenges of setting up a home here. She also wants to write...
Your blog is wonderful! It is so much fun to follow your adventures. Your setting sounds beautiful--I'll gladly join you, Nancy, for a cup of coffee overlooking the city. With the driving, Mike, it sounds as if your job is to keep the family alive while you are there. Enjoy your adventures before school begins--a much needed time to aclimatize. It's been pouring rain here almost all day--but the heat has let up some. Cait and I barely survived the first week of school--its seems like a month already.We'll keep following you and praying for you. Love, Kip, Carol, Cait
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