July 3, 2020
Another exciting blog post finds me chatting with my friend and ex-pat in Portugal. Some long time readers of the blog might remember Anita and her husband Richard from one of my first “podcast with ex-pats” interviews four years back. As the saying goes, “the only sure things in life are death and taxes”. Anita returns solo to discuss life in Portugal after the loss of her beloved husband.
Expat in Portugal: Rolling with life punches:
I originally “met” Anita online. Sharing past lives as pharmacists in Texas gave us a special connection and we both understood the immense happiness of being away from that once great profession, but one that had become more about corporate greed than patient care. She had joined her husband who had retired previously. Selling their possessions and heading for a nomadic lifestyle which took them to several countries in Latin America, before eventually finding their “home” in Portugal.
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Federico and l were fortunate enough to meet up in real life when we visited Lagos, Portugal. We actually stayed with them for over a week as we explored the area and then went on to Lisbon. It felt like we had known them forever and had a wonderful time bonding over food and love of travel. This is one of the many wonderful advantages of online presence, meeting people from all walks of life, and making lasting friendships.
They in turn visited us in Valencia, and once again, it was a fabulous time. I was glad to spend time with Richard because he walked slowly, like moi..haha! while Anita and Federico would be a mile ahead of us. He had great stories of their travels and Fede and l still crack up when we think of how one of our dogs almost ate his pizza because he had been intently focused on the TV (soccer), and he looked like easy prey to our drooling beagle.
Rolling with life punches podcast highlights:
- Deciding on Portugal.
- Doing the hard things first.
- Richard’s COPD diagnosis and the resolution to enjoy life.
- Disaster preparation, including choosing a contact person, wills.
- The unexpected, final hospital visit.
- Building a “family” in Portugal and their help in coping with his loss.
- Remembering Richard and their hippie days.
- What she did with his ashes.
- Living in a co-sharing situation.
- Her cost of living in Portugal. (definitely higher than you’re led to believe!)
- Covid-19 and how it was handled by the Portuguese government.
- Her prediction for the future of travel.
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Listen to the Expat in Portugal rolling with the punches with Anita podcast here:
You can find Anita and Richard’s blog archives here where they show their life in Portugal, including detailed instructions on how to get a non-lucrative visa for Portugal and visits to other wonderful spots in the world.
Other podcasts of interest:
Make sure to subscribe if you are enjoying the podcasts.
Valencia Life Post Quarantine:
The flood gates have been opened! We are now open to visitors from the rest of Europe. We’ll see what effect that will have on the virus infection numbers soon enough. No use guessing now.
Just like l predicted on the last blog post, it looks like we are indeed going to get a tax hike of sorts. I knew it. Every country is suffering and it’s always one of the quick trigger responses to raise money. A lot of restaurants and cafes are also starting to add a Covid surcharge (usually a euro to the bill), and already some people are complaining. I see the restaurants full to maximum capacity allowed so they seem to be recovering well enough.
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Gyms are still not open, not that we would go back anytime soon. Nightclubs and discos can be open, but there is no dancing allowed. How enticing that is that? The buses are definitely still emptier than before, and in my neighborhood, the streets feel less dense than when we first came out of lockdown. I am guessing lots of people have taken off for their family homes for the summer.
We’re still not making any travel plans for the foreseeable future. Day trips to nearby places maybe. If we do venture further, it would be towards the north, where it’s a bit cooler. My Spanish class will resume in September and the city is giving us students the first three months of classes free to make up for lost time. Imagine! The whole class cost 25 euros!!!! It’s insane how generous they are being.
Our morning walk in Valencia:
Here is one of my latest videos showing highlights of our daily morning walk. It would be awesome if you could subscribe to the YouTube channel if you like it. I have decided that what the world needs is me finding yet another avenue to spew more crap! :-).
What about you? Are you ready to be a social butterfly again? Or are you still being a hermit and staying home? I think l have found the sweet spot in between.
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Good episode! I liked hearing about Anita’s travels through Central and South America before deciding on Portugal. She has really good advice and things to think about.
I have not heard about any Covid surcharges, just general price increases at restaurants and stores. Got lucky on popcorn at a grocery store yesterday. 1kg bag for $2,99 (regular price) or if I bought two, cost was $1.68 each. Seeing as how I go through a fair amount of popcorn, and I’ve never seen the two option before, I went for it! If the city taxes go up, all I can say is I’m glad I’m no longer a homeowner.
Thanks, Cheryl. I always enjoy talking with Anita, little snippets of advice to be had always.
The receipts actually say Covid on it. I think they should just raise prices with it built in to shut up these complainers who couldn’t wait to crowd the airports and bars. Sounds like a good deal on popcorn you got. I’ve had to slow down on it, as my teeth are getting restless :-). It will be interesting to see how much they raise the taxes. You get a big fat 10% on the price when you purchase a home, but the yearly taxes are downright laughable… so, so cheap!
This proves that there’s no better time than NOW to do anything and everything you have to do. You never know what life throws your way…
It was interesting hearing about the cost of living in Portugal. Now this is the second time (following your Lisbon podcast with Cinnamon) that we find out that it’s not as cheap as some want you to believe. Sure, it’s cheaper than in other parts of the world, but as long as you want certain standards (and not the $3 hamburgers Anita was talking about)… you have to pay extra everywhere in the world.
Regarding life in the Covid era… in Romania as well restaurants started to add that surcharge and people are complaining, but tax authorities said it is legal as long as they inform you about it. It’s that strange situation in which both parties are right: the customers because they have to pay extra, but also the owners because they need the money to survive. Strange times.
I was still hoping a bit that our planned vacation in Bulgaria at the end of the month might become a reasonable thing to do, but I saw that there as well the number of cases started to rise. Romania is rising also and probably all this mixing and mingling that summer brings won’t to any good to the numbers. My feet are getting antsy and the weather is inviting us to travel, but I do believe that right now the safest bet is to wait.
Haha! You need to dip your feet in cold water or something to relieve the itchy travel feet that you have. I have been shocked at myself that l haven’t felt the urge to rush put there and travel like a lot of people want to. I almost think it’s more to do with the waiting at the airport more than anything. I think you may be right though about waiting to do some more traveling, especially if the numbers are rising in Bulgaria.
I am okay with the covid charge and l think people should be willing to pay them. We had to go to the bank a few days ago and everyone had to wait in the steaming sidewalk and one person at a time only, and they have to spray down after each person, etc. etc. It’s insane, their cleaning supply costs must be super high. A euro is only fair l think, or you can just stay the hell home!.
The more l live, the more l realize that tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone and it’s important to live life to the fullest that you possibly can. I think it’s safe to say that Richard definitely did enjoy his decision to get out and see the world. You’re right, if you want certain standards, you better be prepared to pay a bit more, and it’s important to do your homework and not just depend on the big glossy magazines that just entice you with under reported numbers or you might find yourself living in the armpit of wherever you end up. :-).
Thanks so much Kemi for having me as a guest. It’s always great to catch up with you and compare experiences in our adopted countries. We have some outbreaks now in Portugal so masks and social distancing are as important as ever and life is still pretty much sticking close to home for the time being. Hopefully, one of these days soon, I’ll get over your way and we’ll compare Portuguese and Spanish wines. Here’s to future travels and continued health!
Thanks so much Anita for sharing your story. You know l enjoy chatting and we certainly could have gone on for even longer…haha! We are also getting sporadic outbreaks here leading to a couple of towns being shoved back into phase 2. There is no way this is not going to happen more frequently with the borders now open to people from the U.K for instance where they haven’t been completely efficient in their containment. I can’t wait to compare wines and food too :-). Hasta luego.
Kemkem, I absolutely loved this podcast. Anita is awesome!! I have been a fan of her and her husband’s blog for years, but we are yet to meet in person. So many life messages here, how they made a decision to live a nomadic life after her brother’s illness and Richard’s COPD diagnosis. Finally making the leap in 2012. How their idea of permanence changed after living nomadically, something can be right for a particular moment in time, but then it can be good to move on also and see other parts of the world. I can’t believe Anita has already been living in Portugal for almost 5 years? it feels like yesterday that I was reading about their plans on their blog. I am inspired by how pragmatic Anita and Richard faced mortality, the planning ahead, and knowing that Richards’s condition was progressive.
I totally agree with Anita’s advice for others who want to follow into their footsteps ” let the process evolve, don’t settle too quickly. Compare and contrast before making a decision on a place to settle down”. Her life in the Algarve now sounds great and like she said “perfect for now, she is where she wants to be”. Thank you Anita for taking part in this podcast.
Kemkem, I like your daily morning walking video, so glad things are progressing in the right direction for you guys in Valencia. Keep well 🙂
I agree with you that Anita is indeed awesome :-). Yeah, it is important to discover what means the most to you and then find a way of making it happen and be prepared for whatever life throws at you. Life is what you make it. They certainly did travel a lot and enjoyed themselves. They did plan well once they knew his diagnosis and l hope people learn from that. Som much wonderful advice she gave and that is one of the reasons l am so enjoying these podcasts. I love learning, and about everything.
She is loving life in the Algarve, and l think this new place is a better fit for her than Lagos, especially since they are so close to the border of Spain and can hop on over to Seville anytime. Figures it would be after we moved from Seville… right? :-). Thanks for liking the video. I am feeling more and more at home here with each passing day, and l truly think my improving Spanish has a lot to do with it. Thant and the fabulous surroundings.