June 2018. Another pin in the map. Portugal fed my soul. It is a country full of people with hearts that run deep with sincerity in everything they do, small or big – from hours of work creating the perfect pastry, to proudly sweeping clean the winding cobblestone streets each day, to earnest adoration offered to Our Lady and the Saints, to meaningful conversations over a “café corto” in a corner table on the plaza, to the rich timbre of soulful Fado music.
This place captured me in a way I didn’t expect, originally thinking that the brightly colored houses bespoke a large and loud existence. While celebrations of life, futbol, and faith certainly encompass those here and aren’t by any means somber, there is also an old world integrity and purposefulness underneath, a quiet strength and determination to hold on to the respect, honor, and connection that often disappears when humans are too fast-paced and “busy” to care about each other.
Being here made me slow down and live each day fully. I enjoyed the taste of fresh seafood by the river, wandered up and down a hilly maze of streets that looked out over tangerine rooftops, sipped port wine with layers of flavor, shared shy smiles of hello with locals, and touched medieval stone and sticky figs and smooth blue and white tile. I awed at miles and miles of cork tree countryside, enjoyed more than a few naps, climbed up on a castle rooftop with sun on my shoulders and a fragrant breeze on my face, and laughed with new friends. I watched pilgrims walk on their knees, and light candles hoping for miracles, and whispered prayers of my own inside echoing cathedrals. I looked within. I guess that’s why travel isn’t about just exploring other places…it’s a way to find yourself, too. Obrigado, Portugal. Tchau❤️
Jill Came Tumbling After 