From my recent trip this October... How I love this light and this ocean!
Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts
a little bit of Porto I
Porto in August. Love. Porto anytime of the year. Love.
One of the main things I love about photography is getting to live the moment twice, three times, forever!
One of the main things I love about photography is getting to live the moment twice, three times, forever!
a British education
Costa Coffee at Gatwick Airport
Oh.my.god. Am I one of them?
This is the question I've been asking myself since I had a heart warm moment on seeing Costa Coffee at Porto Airport.
I am a fan of Costa's. I am. And the only coffee parlours I like more than Costa Coffee are the independent ones. What I see as the proper cafés.
Cafés (and bakeries) are abundant in Portugal. You find one in every corner and much like the British pub, most people have a local café where everyone knows them and they know everyone. It's a good feeling! Coffee chains are only just appearing in Portugal and the majority of said cafés are independent (not a word we use in Portugal, as that's what's expected anyway!).
I'm a big fan of the Portuguese approach to cafés (and bakeries, let's not forget the bakeries) so it was a huge surprise to me to feel cosy at the sight of a Costa Coffee at the airport. I'm now very concerned about my Britishness levels!
Porto by the sea
Home is blue skies in January.
Home is the Atlantic kissing our land.
Home is the sea reflecting the light as a magic promise of all its treasures.
::inspiring Mondays::
Sunshine. 22ºC. More sunshine. Little brother. Parents. Cats. Cuddles. Family. Sunshine. Excellent food. More sunshine. The sea. Sunshine, of course. Can you guess where I’ve been? Home, where all batteries get recharged! Porto, Portugal!
I went home for Little Brother’s birthday. Finally, I could sing happy birthday and give him a cuddle and eat a bit (or a lot!) of the birthday cake. I love Skype, I do, and I use it every day, but nothing beats the real thing. I laughed and chatted and laughed some more. We discussed ideas and strategies and materials and the way forward. I went out photographing windows and cutesy houses with Dad. I went out photographing the sea and then the river with Little Brother. I had girly chats and pasteis de nata with Mum. I saw my little cousin’s belly button and heard about second grade and bike rides. I went out and had nice conversations well into the early hours without falling asleep. I ate amazing food and had excellent wine. And I soaked up the sun until I had a permanent smile on my face which should last for days.
:: Little Brother ♥
:: the parents.
:: birthday cake! Yummy!
:: sunshine.
:: my aunt bringing me brigadeiros to the airport because I asked her to!
:: cat love!
:: the sea. the smell of the sea.
:: Portuguese food.
:: my flight companions giving me their apple juice
:: one more hour in Portugal, courtesy of the hour change this weekend. ta mucho!
It is cold and rainy in Oxford, but I’m ignoring all of it and focusing on the little memory of sunshine I brought bottled up for special occasions. Like today, where I miss home that little bit more because I have just been… funny how that works, huh?
How's this Monday working for you? Hope you are having a lovely start to the week, wet or dry, sunny or otherwise!
going home
Little Brother sent me a beautiful photo from Porto by the river... all the email said was "quem vem e atravessa o rio...". I dare say that every Porto person feels a little tingle when they hear that... especially when one's Little Brother is calling us home. Almost there!
::inspiring Mondays::
I went home. It was lovely and warm and sunny and lovely. Did I say lovely? I had Little Brother time and parents time. I met the newest baby in the family. I saw one of my cousins get married and overwhelm us all with happiness and joy. I sunbathed in beautiful beaches and swam in the sea. I ate grilled sardines and it was delicious. I drank Portuguese wine, especially my favourite Planalto. I ate bread from my favourite bakery and croissants from my other favourite bakery. I had a pastel de Belém. I wore flip-flops and pretty dresses. I had some quality time in Hotel Rural Casas Novas and indulged in the countryside's slow paced good food lifestyle. Do you get a picture of awesomeness? It was pretty much it!
Then I came back. To reality, to where bits of my life are, to a place I should call home but it is oh so hard just after I'm back from the real-non-real home. As always, insert LMJ's friends to the rescue and life felt a little bit less boo. The sunshine we had all of last week also helped with the hard return. And so it is I've settled back into my real world and I've finally put some photos on display in my room and I feel cosy again here.
My list this Monday is quite enormous. I'm happy, I feel happy, I have things I'm grateful for, things to keep me warm inside, things to look forward to, things that make me smile for no apparent reason, and so many pictures to look at that I need coffee and sunday mornings plenty.
:: cousin's wedding. pure happiness!
:: baby cousin-nephew. LMJ may be getting broody, but tell no one; that little one is adorable!
:: family time. there are times when you really feel it, you know, that thing of family warmth and knowing you're never alone.
:: a little letter with a little drawing from my 7-year old cousin-nephew. a little piece of happiness and heart sunshine on a paper. on my wall already.
:: Paralympics. I saw Oscar Pistorius run the 100m T44 final... live! I was there when the crowd shouted for Jonnie Peacock and saw him win. What an atmosphere!
:: the UK. sometimes, being part of this nation makes me smile. seeing the Paralympics is one of those times; I'm so proud of the great British people who embraced foreign athletes and the Paralympians and made everyone feel welcome and part of something great!
:: summer time.
:: homemade bread.
:: homemade soup.
:: Monday office silliness. some of it courtesy of this (pretty reliable) erratic gentleman!
:: a cooking project with a lovely lady!
:: my life!
It rained today. I laughed. Now I'm truly back and you know what? It's not so bad... if you let be good... if I let it be good ;)
::inspiring Mondays::
Photo: Fireworks in Porto on S. João by One of My Friends Because They're Good At This!
Sunshine. Thank you Monday, it's been fabulous! Please visit often, you're welcome here.
This weekend was S. João (Saint John) in Porto. Last year, I thought I would photograph it this year, but life had other plans and I stayed in the UK instead. Whilst I had a relaxing weekend, oh what joy would it have been to join in on the fun at home, take to the streets, share the joy and forget life for a night, over grilled sardines and a lot of walking! I couldn't be there, but my reporters provided me with photos; I am well connected!
So as I was saying... I had a relaxing weekend, made far more relaxing by the fact that my laptop charger died a death and I could not be online at all. So I knitted instead; the green cardi that I can't wait to finish. And watched tv, fast and slow. And cuddled with Mister JJ, as I'm cat-sitting at the moment.
:: sunshine ♥
:: running. solo. it felt good.
:: chatting to my parents. I love it how I love it.
:: an email this morning telling me how that person was looking forward to... inspiring Mondays!
:: watching the wind outside. so soothing.
:: new projects. with food.
:: my friends. again and again, my friends.
:: cycling to work this morning ♥
:: a new phone.
:: friends who let me use their photos when I couldn't be there to take my own!
:: chatting to LMrJ just before sleeping... ♥
How was your Monday? Inspiring, I hope. And promising. And if not, may you find some smiles here. Help yourself, take one, it's free ;)
Photo: Releasing an illuminated flame-propelled balloon on S. João by One of My Friends Because They're Good At This!
::inspiring Mondays::
Little brother and I photographing away
LMJ has been away, enjoying the Portuguese lifestyle and sunshine and amazing cuisine! LMJ has returned last night to a cold-ish grey-ish island and is struggling with adapting to the colder temperatures. LMJ has had a brilliant time with her family and wishes she could have stayed longer. LMJ looks tanned and with more freckles, but tell noone! LMJ has realised she spoke of herself in the third person from the age of 13 months. Nice!
As I finished writing the above paragraph, the sun began shining outside. I'm holding on to it and is good. Hihihi!
:: Little brother.
:: Mum and Dad.
:: sunshine.
:: Lisbon.
:: Portugal.
:: Portuguese food.
:: Pastéis de Belém.
:: the Algarve.
:: the sea.
:: photography.
:: home.
Life is good. Life can be good. I'm holding on to that little bit of sunshine, it's making typing quite difficult but smiling quite easy. How was your Monday?
Alvor, Portugal
25 de Abril
In 1974. 25 de April. The day Portugal changed. And in these hard times for Portugal, we could almost forget... almost, but not quite. Last year, I wrote about it (and had used the photo above on another post too). This year, I'm not there, but I feel somehow close. All over my facebook, friends are talking about it and I feel part of it.
It seems the carnations that name the 25 de Abril's revolution were a random thing, like in so many of these decisive events. Someone, possibly a florist, gave red carnations to the soldiers and the people as she herself came out to the streets of Lisbon. I pause for a minute thinking about this small gesture that made an icon of red carnations for us Portuguese people... How random simple little things have the power to change the world. And our lives. There is hope. Remember that every time you see a red carnation!
Thursday blues
Foz, Porto, Portugal
I sit with a cup of chamomile tea and my laptop and I feel I have nothing to say. LMJ is not here today, it's just me and we all know she's the funny one. This will be a nostalgic post. If you want haha and other silly things leave now and return tomorrow. You have been warned. Stay at your own risk.
***
I'm prone to nostalgia and soft thoughts of vague longing and gentle gestures. I miss the sea. I miss the sea everyday and I miss the sea a bit more when my head is so full it feels empty. I miss the sea a bit more today. My hands pause on the keyboard, the nostalgic music on makes me smile. I'm predictable. I'm also quiet. I miss the smell of the sea. I miss its sound. The sea soothes me. I used to sit on the beach for hours just emptying my head of thoughts I had and thoughts I should have never had. Just sit there. For no reason. For all the reasons in the world. And today I wished to have gone to the sea and just sit there until I felt nothing. And then I could start all over again tomorrow. Sitting here, so far away from the sea, I close my eyes and I'm still not there, and my throat has a little knot, but I close them anyway and I can almost feel it and it's cold and fresh and I can indeed start it all over again tomorrow.
::inspiring Mondays::
Little Miss Joey is back. And LMJ would like to apologise for the sudden leave of absence. Of course there is a perfectly good reason as to why I have been missing from this cosy space, but not a good enough reason as to why I did not let anyone know. So... LMJ has been away. I have been to the wonderful Low Countries (only to realise I could live there!) and then home to Portugal for a little bit of warmth. Yes, there were times I had internet access. Yes, there were times when I could have blogged. Yes, I did think that would happen and hence failed to say bye bye for a week to everyone. No, it did not happen as LMJ had planned and instead she had a wonderful rest from the real world and this one. Forgiven? I hope so. Otherwise, I'll do the cute puppy eyes!
I cannot bring myself to plan my posts really far in advance. One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is indeed just to write whatever is on my mind that day and share the images that keep my eyes bright at that particular time. Whilst this is great, it doesn't really work when on holidays. And especially not when I thought I would come here with beautiful images of my roadtrip (yay! more on that as the year progresses, judging by the speed at which I post edit photos) but then didn't. Live and learn, Joey, live and learn.
:: yellow roses and sunflowers in a bouquet. for me. with a note. or two. ♥♥♥
:: Tommy. squeeze! ♥
:: chatting with Little Brother. all the time. about everything and nothing. and some.
:: family.
:: skype.
:: air travel. isn't it wonderful?
:: sunshine. and warmth.
:: sunshine. even without the warmth.
:: Portugal.
:: Porto.
:: grilled sardines.
:: laughter!
This has been a wonderful Monday. Wonderful! And it got even better when Bella, from the 52 Photos Project, did a little feature about LMJ here. Head over there and explore her websites, it's pure eye candy!
And how was your Monday? Do share, as I really *really* enjoy reading what you're up to :)
Final holiday report
Do you ever wish holidays could last forever? Or at least another week longer? I do. And little brother does. And life would be only too perfect if it had. As it is, life is only pretty damn good. Which I'll settle for. For now.
I relaxed.
I spent time with the family.
I enjoyed myself.
And that was it.
None of us had a watch, life went by and we were there to live it.
The Algarve set on Flickr, just for you. Because I'm nice. And tanned. Did I say tanned? Yes, I am :D
Holiday report II
Frequently, I am asked about cultural differences between Portugal and the UK, mainly (if not only) by Nicky. This prompted the feature ::home is:: as I like to accommodate my fan(s) requests, even though I don't always feel as inspired about this feature as I hoped... However, being in Portugal certainly makes it easier to spot the differences between PT and the UK.
As I sunbathed this afternoon, I thought about Little Miss Joey the blog and what I wanted to write about today. I realised I was just laying there, having read three books already and watched a film and slept more hours than I care to count. I actually managed to just lay there and indulge! The dolce fare niente so well popularised by Italians was coming over me and guess what? I did not feel guilty. Not a bit of guilt! Not even a tiny wee bit of it! Here I can just indulge and let myself go in whatever thoughts I have or don't have without feeling I should be more productive. I know my Grandma always said idle hands are a waste, but even Grandma allowed herself to indulge and spared the time to contemplate life. Yes, even Grandma.
As I lay there sunbathing, I realised that even though I do love my life and my life in Oxford, there is a pressure, imaginary or not, to always do something. Enjoying the nothingness and its pleasures is odd and rare and almost impossible to achieve. Of course what I do and don't do is my own choice in the end and I guess I have more nothing time than most of my friends, but believe me, compared to real nothing, my Oxford nothing is like a heavy workout.
In Portugal, time exists for nothing (or so I feel and the reason this is not under ::home is:: is precisely that this post is even more of an impression than the fact-filled feature ::home is:: I attempt at writing). Doing nothing for a bit is ok. And that means we have quality of life. As you may know, we don't have much else at the moment (and don't get me started on that country that coincidentally starts with an F!), but we know how to appreciate life's little things and we know that is important for our well being. The joke is obvious with our current state of affairs, but trust me on this... it is good to know how to enjoy nothing. It allows your body and mind to recover for all else you have happening. Plus it is just damn good :)
So I was saying... as I lay there sunbathing I realised something... I should do this more often!
::home is:: 25 de Abril
On 25 April 1974, Portugal changed. The Carnation Revolution I mentioned here. As you may have noticed, today is 25 April and I am here and I can really feel the importance of it all so I can't resist telling you about it once more in case you want to read it. Or find out more about it. How we managed a peaceful revolution. How Grândola Vila Morena* played on the radio took the Portuguese army to the streets starting the revolution and ending the dictatorship. How the people joined them. How listening to it is still solemn. Grândola Vila Morena is still sung today for its poem, for its musicality, for what it represents.
25 de Abril é o dia da Liberdade.
*lyrics translation here; it's a song by Zeca Afonso, a brilliant man.
Little note: photo not by Little Miss Joey, found online but could not find the author.
::inspiring Mondays::
This week is easy. Being here is happiness. Simple as. This is not to say the list will be long... happiness is in the small things :)
About moi, I lived in the Algarve for 7 years. See how the number keeps appearing in my life? I was happy here. I was happy without knowing it and I was happy while fully aware of it. This became my first home away from home and I thought about living here permanently not really realising what that meant. I indulged in lazy Sundays with cat cuddles and slaved away in late nights of Uni work in the same measure. I studied and worked and partied and went to the beach at lunchtime and in the early evening when the light is beautiful and the sea welcomes you tenderly. I moved here a little girl and I left more of a woman, bag filled with smiles and memories and the pain of growing up tucked gently on the sides as if it could be forgotten but not quite.
:: the four of us, in order of appearance: Dad, Mum, yours truly, little brother.
:: in the Algarve, Portugal.
:: a tan. with me already :)
:: sunshine. in spite of the rain.
:: how we annoy in each other while still enjoying being together more than not being together. that's family love for you.
:: little brother working away on his laptop and asking my opinion.
:: Dad reading the paper. and reading more papers. I think they write papers just for him.
:: Mum humming old Portuguese songs like when we were little.
:: Portuguese food. there's nothing like it!
:: the feeling of home.
I hope you've had an amazing Easter, just as happy as mine. I had Easter almonds given by Dad, as every year; except that these were my favourite and they're now all gone... hihihi!
Holiday report I
Hello from sunny Portugal, she says omitting the not so sunny bits of the day. It has rained in the Algarve and it has been sunny too, enough for a bit of sunbathing. It's April and the heavens open, as per popular wisdom "em Abril águas mil" (in April, a thousand waters; gotta love direct translations!), so it's best to just go with the flow and enjoy the food and the chilled pace of life over here.
Remember the hat? Well, it travelled safely to Portugal, ridiculously sitting on my head for most of the journey, only to be left in the toilet at the airport, carefully hanging behind the door. Nice! Such is life... or life with a forgetful Little Miss Joey anyway! Mum says I only don't lose my head because it's attached to my head, just like Dad... maybe it's time for me to accept she's right.
So, lost hat and rain aside... everything else has been just great! I guess this is when you know you're in love, when most things are going less well than expected but you still feel so happy you're in it. Or there, or here, I mean! I've slept and ran and ate grilled fish and sunbathed a little and slept some more and walked slowly because I'm not in a hurry and have had nice bread every morning and photographed just a little and slept a bit more because maybe I was just a wee bit too tired. And it's the four of us again just as when we were little and I feel lucky it can be the four of us. It's the small things, isn't it? Which are actually the big things...
::home is:: Portugal
Portugal has asked for a bail-out and my heart shrinks a little for it. It is my country and I love it. I love its people, its gentle paced life, its sunshine, its immense coastline and delicious food. I love the feeling of belonging and feeling at home. Portugal is a great country with a rich and diverse history and people reading the news today may not think so. That saddens me for if only they discovered Portugal they would love it almost as much as I do. A bit about what I mean here and here. And if you haven't yet decided on your holiday destination, why not visit Portugal?
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