by T. Jacira Paolino
Why I moved to Portugal
Some of my readers have messaged me privately asking why I left the US. That is a fair question with a complex answer.
I have lived in several countries in my lifetime. As a student first, and later as a professional technical interpreter, life has taken me to Mexico, the UK, Italy, Ecuador, Chile and back to the US.
Second, over the last 3 years I’ve lost my younger sister, my older brother and his wife to cancer, and my mother and my two beloved dogs to old age. My two children are grown and have families of their own, and I am finally at an age that I can enjoy all that life has to offer.
Why Portugal?
I’ve been visiting Portugal for a few years and each time I fell in love with it more. The people are very friendly and welcoming to foreigners (nobody is building a wall or deporting people here). The food is amazing, the wine is too, and inexpensive, the climate is temperate, the cost of living is lower than the US. The southern beach area, known as the Algarve, has been rated the best beaches in Europe for the last 6 years running. You can find everything from high-rises and nightlife to small, traditional fishing villages.
Lisbon is the 2nd oldest European capital (after Athens), and this city, built on hills and surrounded by a river and the Atlantic ocean is spectacular.
Best of all, this is one of the safest cities on earth. There is no gun violence here, no gangs, no school massacres. Life is rich and full and peaceful. It is a city filled with culture, music, museums, castles, antiques, fairs, literature, art.
Granted, I do speak Portuguese, albeit Brazilian Portuguese (there are some differences), but even if you don’t speak the language, there are many people who speak English.
But most of all, I overcame the fear of moving to a new country by myself in order to continue to grow. I didn’t let fear stop me. Yes, I left some amazing friends behind, and I hope they will come visit me here. But I’m on the beginning edge of a new life and I’m living intensely, learning, expanding my horizons, and not letting life pass me by. Because if I learned nothing having lost so many people close to me in such a short time, I learned that life really is very short, and I became determined to take advantage of every moment.
No fear!
Is it scary sometimes? I would be untruthful if I said, “no”. But that is not going to stop me from going out and meeting new people, exploring my new city, and creating the life I want!
