Beautiful 75 and sunny today
Church starts at 11:30 which is the good news...It ended today after 1. We had an English speaker which is good for us but makes for a long service because of translation. By the time we go out to eat (as there was nothing in the house...again), miss a couple of turns and drive around a bit, put $45 in the gas tank (almost filled it up), and get home, it is 4 PM.
Yesterday was quite a day. Went to a street market in the AM, dropped Nina off, drove downtown Lisbon looking for the place where Nancy's art students' (all of the elem. grades) project was to be on display. Arrived at 3 pm which is exactly the right time. (we did get a bite to eat in a park). We seriously seached for this place for 2 hours. Okay, it would help if we didn't make wrong turns, but still...put a decent sign on the buildings!
Turned out there was a program associated, a contest in which Nancy was a judge, refreshments and a birthday party after. We left there about 5:30. Nancy was great. She got to make a speech (with her own interpreter) and was perfectly charming throughout even tho she had no warning about this.
The program was about Water and the Bible and involved schools across Portugal (public and private). Very well done and great opportunity. The kids that participated (including Kati) got prizes and pictures taken and all. It was tiring but well worth it. Nancy was great.
On the way home we found a roadside wagon cooking Pao de Chourico over and open fire. For $2 you could get a sub sized loaf of bread infused with cheese and meat and still hot from cooking. Very good when you are really hungry. Helped us fall asleep in a hurry glad that we got that extra hour of sleep from Daylight savings time.
Pictures to be added
Mike
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23, 2009
This week has brought two new Portugese experiences. Yesterday I got my first Portugese hair cut. I was a little nervous about it because as all of you know...a good cut is important! My friend and neighbor from here took me to an English speaking hair dresser who turned out to be from South Africa...she came here 25 years ago but did her training in South Africa. Well, I have to say she did a great job. Not only did she cut it but she gave my head a wonderful massage, and style. One of my concerns about coming to Portugal was...what about my hair? I know that is really vain...but I guess one of my weaknesses. My wonderful hairdresser at home solved the coloring problem for me...yes, I know most of you thought I was a natural blond...ha! She sent everything I would need to color my own hair... she even gave Nina a lesson right before we left. Nina colored it for me two weeks ago...and did a great job. But the cut was another thing...so I ventured out to have it done...and SUCCESS!
Our other new experience was seeing a doctor here in Portugal. Mike needed a medication adjustment so we went to a clinic that has English speaking staff. Our doctor was also trained in South Africa. He was very thorough and his English was impeccable...of course he looked about 12 years old...why is it that professionals keep getting younger???? The neat thing about this clinic is, it is on ocean front property and you look right out to an ocean view. I have to say that was a first for us.
Kati's new hampster is doing well. We made a trip to the pet store last night to ask some questions and found that the young man who worked there spoke great English and was a hampster lover so gave us all kinds of good advice and some samples of treats for her. We also purchased a hampster ball so now she can roll all over the apartment...it is so funny! Nina has decided she might want to get a hampster too. Mike is still sure he doesn't want one and calls this one "the rat".
Plans for this weekend are shaping up...a movie night tonight with the family and our friend Meridith Peters..with of course Pizza. Tomorrow Nina is invited to a day with the highschool girls...watching movies and fixing supper together...Kati has invited her friend Tori (also a hampster owner) and her hampster to sleepover. We may also drive out to search out an orphanage we heard about in Lisbon...it is an Evangelical orphanage. We'd like to do some volunteer work there sometime. There is also an art display which our students participated in at an expo center...we will try to stop by there. So, another relaxing, laid back weekend with the Dubois family of Portugal...
A neat little event yesterday...as I was making garlic chicken and realized I needed some lemon juice...Mike stepped out into our yard, picked a fresh lemon from the tree, cut it and squeezed it into the mixture. Then we cooked the chicken...well that is another story...I'll let Mike write about our adventures with the ancient gas oven we have.
N
Our other new experience was seeing a doctor here in Portugal. Mike needed a medication adjustment so we went to a clinic that has English speaking staff. Our doctor was also trained in South Africa. He was very thorough and his English was impeccable...of course he looked about 12 years old...why is it that professionals keep getting younger???? The neat thing about this clinic is, it is on ocean front property and you look right out to an ocean view. I have to say that was a first for us.
Kati's new hampster is doing well. We made a trip to the pet store last night to ask some questions and found that the young man who worked there spoke great English and was a hampster lover so gave us all kinds of good advice and some samples of treats for her. We also purchased a hampster ball so now she can roll all over the apartment...it is so funny! Nina has decided she might want to get a hampster too. Mike is still sure he doesn't want one and calls this one "the rat".
Plans for this weekend are shaping up...a movie night tonight with the family and our friend Meridith Peters..with of course Pizza. Tomorrow Nina is invited to a day with the highschool girls...watching movies and fixing supper together...Kati has invited her friend Tori (also a hampster owner) and her hampster to sleepover. We may also drive out to search out an orphanage we heard about in Lisbon...it is an Evangelical orphanage. We'd like to do some volunteer work there sometime. There is also an art display which our students participated in at an expo center...we will try to stop by there. So, another relaxing, laid back weekend with the Dubois family of Portugal...
A neat little event yesterday...as I was making garlic chicken and realized I needed some lemon juice...Mike stepped out into our yard, picked a fresh lemon from the tree, cut it and squeezed it into the mixture. Then we cooked the chicken...well that is another story...I'll let Mike write about our adventures with the ancient gas oven we have.
N
Sunday, October 18, 2009
October 18, 2009
One of the things about living in a foreign speaking country is that you get used to the idea that those around you probably don't know what you are saying, therefore you carry on conversations with family as if you are alone...well, you can't always assume.
Yesterday we again visited the seaside town of Nazare, this time with the girls. We decided to eat lunch at an outdoor cafe...very European...that looked out over the rollng waves of the ocean..very beautiful! We sat at a table for six...another couple was seated at one end. The four of us...Mike and I and Kati and Nina commenced to carry on a normal family conversation...that of course involved a few unpleasant interchanges along with the normal chitchat. I think Kati was telling me how bad my attempts at Portugese are or something such. We ordered our meal and while waiting for it to arrive the lovely young lady at the end of our table asked if we would like to try some of the steaming clams the waiter had just placed before her and her companion.
Nina and Mike said yes and found them to be delicious. This offer broke the ice
and we began to talk to them. We found out they were celebrating their first wedding annivesary and that she was a psychologist and he a psychiatrist...and they spoke and understood English perfectly. Alarms immediately went off for me...as I realized our "private" conversation and our family dynamics were probably being analyzed the whole time we were sitting there. Seriously though, it was fun talking to them and sharing thought about the country, the city, foreigners, etc.
I do think I will be a little more cautions when I am talking though, many people understand more English than one realizes.
The big news this weekend was Kati got her hampster and named her Jessa. She had been saving money she earned by cleaning the house...first she bought the cage, then food...then she finally saved enough to buy Jessa. She had to find someone to "babysit" while we travel at Thanksgiving and Christmas...and with that done Mike and I had run out of excuses why she could not have a hampster...so now we have a new family member. Mike was lobbying for a boy but...oh, well...
N
Yesterday we again visited the seaside town of Nazare, this time with the girls. We decided to eat lunch at an outdoor cafe...very European...that looked out over the rollng waves of the ocean..very beautiful! We sat at a table for six...another couple was seated at one end. The four of us...Mike and I and Kati and Nina commenced to carry on a normal family conversation...that of course involved a few unpleasant interchanges along with the normal chitchat. I think Kati was telling me how bad my attempts at Portugese are or something such. We ordered our meal and while waiting for it to arrive the lovely young lady at the end of our table asked if we would like to try some of the steaming clams the waiter had just placed before her and her companion.
Nina and Mike said yes and found them to be delicious. This offer broke the ice
and we began to talk to them. We found out they were celebrating their first wedding annivesary and that she was a psychologist and he a psychiatrist...and they spoke and understood English perfectly. Alarms immediately went off for me...as I realized our "private" conversation and our family dynamics were probably being analyzed the whole time we were sitting there. Seriously though, it was fun talking to them and sharing thought about the country, the city, foreigners, etc.
I do think I will be a little more cautions when I am talking though, many people understand more English than one realizes.
The big news this weekend was Kati got her hampster and named her Jessa. She had been saving money she earned by cleaning the house...first she bought the cage, then food...then she finally saved enough to buy Jessa. She had to find someone to "babysit" while we travel at Thanksgiving and Christmas...and with that done Mike and I had run out of excuses why she could not have a hampster...so now we have a new family member. Mike was lobbying for a boy but...oh, well...
N
Sunday Oct 18, 2009
Hello again,
We have been offline for a few days and that is our excuse for skipping a few days. We have been having a good and busy time.
These may be a bit out of order but all have actually happened...
Yesterday we went to the walled city of Obidos again only this time with Nina and Kati. They were not as impressed as they should have been but it was good. We also went on to the beach town of Nazare. This time we went up to the high town at the north end. Very high cliff and a spectacular view. Also some bargain shopping. Nina got a beautiful wool hooded shaw/poncho thing for about 1/2 what we have seen them priced. Nazare was definitely off-season but the weather has been unseasonably warm and sunny and it was great.
We had lunch (seafood) on the sidewalk like real Europeans. We were joined at our table sort of because of the crowd by a couple celebrating their 1st anniversary. They were Portuguese professionals and were so gracious. We even shared some of their food (delicious clams) and had a very pleasant conversation. Great memory.
Last week, I had a couple of "mini-victories". I met my butcher on the street and he recognized me and we spoke. A car stopped by me to ask directions and I was able to assist accurately, I think. A couple of the guys at the "pastelaria" where I buy bread (frequently) and a treat (sometimes) finally admitted to being able to speak English and said I needed to keep working on my Portuguese. I complimented them on their English and we decided that they would practice their English on me and I would practice Portuguese on them. They are really nice and work very hard at a very popular cafe. Nancy and I went down there today to get some fresh bread...it is so good, we eat too much sometimes.
Speaking of eating, Nancy and Kati broke down and ha
d a McDonald's on Friday. Nina and I disdain such food. We went for some other stuff that we can't really name or even describe accurately. Imagine egg, pasta, carrots, meat(s), salad, with a dressing poured all over it sorta like a chef's salad. It was great.
We are having our first company over for dinner on Tuesday. Since we have very little that we can cook here due to lack of a controllable stove and necessary familiar ingredients (okay, and limited culinary skills), it will be an adventure. Last week we finally bought a new skillet (quite expensive) but after burning 10-12 different things, it was time to step up. Having a good camera makes for better pictures and having a better pan makes for better meals as well!
Mike
We have been offline for a few days and that is our excuse for skipping a few days. We have been having a good and busy time.
These may be a bit out of order but all have actually happened...
Yesterday we went to the walled city of Obidos again only this time with Nina and Kati. They were not as impressed as they should have been but it was good. We also went on to the beach town of Nazare. This time we went up to the high town at the north end. Very high cliff and a spectacular view. Also some bargain shopping. Nina got a beautiful wool hooded shaw/poncho thing for about 1/2 what we have seen them priced. Nazare was definitely off-season but the weather has been unseasonably warm and sunny and it was great.
We had lunch (seafood) on the sidewalk like real Europeans. We were joined at our table sort of because of the crowd by a couple celebrating their 1st anniversary. They were Portuguese professionals and were so gracious. We even shared some of their food (delicious clams) and had a very pleasant conversation. Great memory.
Last week, I had a couple of "mini-victories". I met my butcher on the street and he recognized me and we spoke. A car stopped by me to ask directions and I was able to assist accurately, I think. A couple of the guys at the "pastelaria" where I buy bread (frequently) and a treat (sometimes) finally admitted to being able to speak English and said I needed to keep working on my Portuguese. I complimented them on their English and we decided that they would practice their English on me and I would practice Portuguese on them. They are really nice and work very hard at a very popular cafe. Nancy and I went down there today to get some fresh bread...it is so good, we eat too much sometimes.
Speaking of eating, Nancy and Kati broke down and ha
d a McDonald's on Friday. Nina and I disdain such food. We went for some other stuff that we can't really name or even describe accurately. Imagine egg, pasta, carrots, meat(s), salad, with a dressing poured all over it sorta like a chef's salad. It was great.
We are having our first company over for dinner on Tuesday. Since we have very little that we can cook here due to lack of a controllable stove and necessary familiar ingredients (okay, and limited culinary skills), it will be an adventure. Last week we finally bought a new skillet (quite expensive) but after burning 10-12 different things, it was time to step up. Having a good camera makes for better pictures and having a better pan makes for better meals as well!
Mike
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Oct. 10 Saturday AM
Hey,
Just checked the weather forecast for Lisbon and I thought I would share the good news with you so you can be happy for us. Clear and 77, 86, 85, 83, and 82 is the prediction for the next 5 days. So boring...
The school director has rejected my request for a schedule change... Plan B is in operation as we speak.
We had an interesting week at school. A visiting special speaker with chapel everyday and he was great! Some of you know Ken Rudolph so you know what I am talking about. Great spiritual impact on some kids (and adults). Praying that it is not just a temporary thing. MK's are sometimes very needy kids.
We took Ken and his entourage to dinner (9 of us) at a small chicken grilling local cafe and did it all in Portuguese w/o help. It helped that grilled chicken is the only entre on the menu (except for the ubiquitous codfish that you have to be a 3rd or 4th generation Portuguese to tolerate). We had a great time and enjoyed the fellowship. In this small hole in the wall place, they grill chickens all day (mostly for take out) and they are great. Be sure that we take you there when you visit. We do have a Chili's here in Lisbon but what fun would that be? We have easily avoided McD's although it is the most popular food court place by far.
One thing that was really cool at the restaurant is that Kati volunteered to ask the waiter for more water...in Portuguese!!!
We are headed to a street market this AM
Got to go
Mike
Just checked the weather forecast for Lisbon and I thought I would share the good news with you so you can be happy for us. Clear and 77, 86, 85, 83, and 82 is the prediction for the next 5 days. So boring...
The school director has rejected my request for a schedule change... Plan B is in operation as we speak.
We had an interesting week at school. A visiting special speaker with chapel everyday and he was great! Some of you know Ken Rudolph so you know what I am talking about. Great spiritual impact on some kids (and adults). Praying that it is not just a temporary thing. MK's are sometimes very needy kids.
We took Ken and his entourage to dinner (9 of us) at a small chicken grilling local cafe and did it all in Portuguese w/o help. It helped that grilled chicken is the only entre on the menu (except for the ubiquitous codfish that you have to be a 3rd or 4th generation Portuguese to tolerate). We had a great time and enjoyed the fellowship. In this small hole in the wall place, they grill chickens all day (mostly for take out) and they are great. Be sure that we take you there when you visit. We do have a Chili's here in Lisbon but what fun would that be? We have easily avoided McD's although it is the most popular food court place by far.
One thing that was really cool at the restaurant is that Kati volunteered to ask the waiter for more water...in Portuguese!!!
We are headed to a street market this AM
Got to go
Mike
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday Oct 6
Hey
After looking at pictures and reviewing our weekend, I have decided to change schedules. I will now work on the weekend and "tour" during the week. The crowds are down and it will give us more time. The school director is pondering my proposal... Pray for him!
Mike
Oct. 6 Tuesday
Hello all,
What a weekend. We were banned from the school property as it had been rented for a special conference, so we couldn't work at all. Kati was staying with friends, Nina had special scheduled event as well. So off we went doing tourist stuff.
The ancient walled city of Obidos was our first call. Really cool place but a bit touristy as well. Weather was great (about 85 and sunny) and the company was excellent. (see picture) We strolled and shopped and ate and took pictures (check them out w/Picasa if you want). It seemed like every alley was more photogenic than the last. We watched as a wedding party gathered and dispersed. Guests were all decked out and looked strange mingled with tourists in shorts and tees. It was only about an hour's drive north so we decided to press on to the fishing village (and tourist hotspot) of Nazare about another 1/2 hour northwest (top photo). Famous as the origin of Vasco Da Gama's first voyage around Africa to India and the beginning of Portuguese ascendency in the 1500's. Also famous as a fishing village, beach spot, and home of the ladies who wear 7 petticoats. They also have ladies who "recruit" for B&B's (ligit) with signs and then lead the cars to their rooming house. We plan to go for a weekend when the opportunity arrives. It was a very pleasant trip. GPS got us home without incident mostly on fast well-made toll roads.
Monday (yesterday) we had our first serious rain since we arrived. Yes, we had clothes on the line and they are still soaked having endured at least 4 "final rinses" from the sky. Yesterday was also a holiday (for others). I made a trek to the PO only to find it locked up. The internet was down for a while as well as the phone. We felt a bit isolated. It is still rainy today so maybe our season has changed. It has been extremely pleasant weather-wise so far.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Oct. 1 Thursday
Hey,
Just filled up the car with gas after we got our flu shots. Going back up the hill I got a warning light that I was low on fuel. Up at the top of the hill, the guage showed I had a 1/4 tank. Anyway I put in 40 Euros and did the computation. Gas here cost $6.97 a gallon! Nina wanted to know why we drive so much... good question. I think the answer has something to do with hills.
Mike
Just filled up the car with gas after we got our flu shots. Going back up the hill I got a warning light that I was low on fuel. Up at the top of the hill, the guage showed I had a 1/4 tank. Anyway I put in 40 Euros and did the computation. Gas here cost $6.97 a gallon! Nina wanted to know why we drive so much... good question. I think the answer has something to do with hills.
Mike
October 1, 2009
It is October and we are still having unseasonally warm weather...we will just keep enjoying it until the chilly and I'm told damp weather begins.
Last night Mike and I went driving, looking for a chicken (frango) place that everyone told us is really good and an excellent place for take-out when you don't feel like cooking after a long day at work. We "thought" we knew where it was...but after driving the same streets for awhile we called a friend and got directions...and yes, we had passed it several time. We just didn't know to look for the place with the red awning. The next challenge was finding a parking place. You have to understand what that is like during the evening rush when the Portugese are going home and always seem to be stopping off for a loaf of bread or some vegetables at the (mercado) market. Picture this...narrow two way streets with cars parked and double parked on either side. The dilemma is, do we try for a real parking space and take the chance of getting hemmed in by a double parker or do we join the double parking craze and worry about getting hit by a passing car or yelled at by an irrate parker who is hemmed in...decisons, decisons!
...we decided to find a real parking space and take our chances. We lucked out, found a space not too far from the red awning chicken place and went in. Now came ordering...we were taking it home for the four of us...so how many kilos is that? Yes, you order the take out chicken in kilos.
We ended up ordering 1.3 kilos ( I'm not sure we knew how much we were ordering). As it turned out it was enough for supper plus several pieces left over for today's lunch. The chicken was cooked over a wood fired flame...it was so good. On the way home with our chicken and a fresh loaf of bread we saw several available parking spaces... with parking at such a premium we hated passing up those spaces even though we had no desire to park. Such is the way with supply and demand I guess.
Now we know where the red awning chicken place is and I have no doubt we will be frequenting it again soon.
N
Last night Mike and I went driving, looking for a chicken (frango) place that everyone told us is really good and an excellent place for take-out when you don't feel like cooking after a long day at work. We "thought" we knew where it was...but after driving the same streets for awhile we called a friend and got directions...and yes, we had passed it several time. We just didn't know to look for the place with the red awning. The next challenge was finding a parking place. You have to understand what that is like during the evening rush when the Portugese are going home and always seem to be stopping off for a loaf of bread or some vegetables at the (mercado) market. Picture this...narrow two way streets with cars parked and double parked on either side. The dilemma is, do we try for a real parking space and take the chance of getting hemmed in by a double parker or do we join the double parking craze and worry about getting hit by a passing car or yelled at by an irrate parker who is hemmed in...decisons, decisons!
...we decided to find a real parking space and take our chances. We lucked out, found a space not too far from the red awning chicken place and went in. Now came ordering...we were taking it home for the four of us...so how many kilos is that? Yes, you order the take out chicken in kilos.
We ended up ordering 1.3 kilos ( I'm not sure we knew how much we were ordering). As it turned out it was enough for supper plus several pieces left over for today's lunch. The chicken was cooked over a wood fired flame...it was so good. On the way home with our chicken and a fresh loaf of bread we saw several available parking spaces... with parking at such a premium we hated passing up those spaces even though we had no desire to park. Such is the way with supply and demand I guess.
Now we know where the red awning chicken place is and I have no doubt we will be frequenting it again soon.
N
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