Dear friends:
So here is what has been happening that has kept us so busy: Difficult and wrenching as the decision is, we are going to move back to Sacramento in August. We LOVE Portugal. Living here has been a wonderful experience. And we love our friends here. If we were only feeling homesickness (and we do, despite how much we love it here), we would stay.
But we have to be honest with ourselves and our capacity to become truly proficient in the language. We are making progress and MAY become conversationally fluent (we plan to keep learning Portuguese.) But we probably never will be proficient enough to read through documents and papers and forms without hours and hours of translation efforts, and even then we may not get it right. (After 13months, we still are not able to fully use our oven; and we can’t make head or tale of the customs forms – I have lost a birthday present and a book by clicking the wrong information.)
What daunts us, though, is the future: We are having a great time now, because the two of us can share everything. The day will come when there is only one of us and having to navigate everything alone in a sea of not understanding is scary. The medical care we have received is outstanding. We have only used private health insurance and a private hospital so far, because our SNS (national health) clinic and the SNS hospital are a good distance from our flat. But the hospital we go to doesn’t perform major operations, deferring cardiac surgery, for example, to a hospital in Porto. (Rajan does have a cardiac condition.) SNS may do the surgeries that could come up, but eventually, one or both of us will not be able to drive. In emergencies that require an ambulance that whisk a patient off to the hills or another town, one’s spouse is not able to ride in the ambulance. Visits to the patient would be problematic.
We know friends would help if they could – but they have parents and relatives of their own they to take to doctor appointments, hospitals, visitations, etc., all around a full work week with long hours. They are not retired.
If we were about 20 years younger, with time to become throughly immersed in the language and the system, assuming we could figure out the transportation part when frail, we would risk staying; I can’t stress enough what a high point in our lives it has been to be here. But we are not 20 years younger. That's the reality.
On another note, my next book will be coming out soon, which I’ll save for a later post. The publisher sent me a mock up of the cover, which I love, but I'll wait for the cover reveal.
In the meantime, I’ll be posting a lot about our beloved Braga and Galicia for the remainder of our time here. This is the season of fiestas and festivals in both places. No pictures today, but there will be soon.
I have a friend who is multilingual and had moved to Portugal with her husband, because of the many perks the country offers retirees. Sadly, Portuguese is not one of the languages either of them speak. It's been challenging, though they love their loft in Lisbon.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the homeland.
Hi, Mirka, we'll be here in Braga until mid August, which is good, because I need a little time to "let go". We really love Portugal and Galicia, it's northern neighbor. The people here are wonderful, I've made friendships I'll treasure. Still, it will be good to go home: We miss family and long-standing friendships there. And writing groups (me) and easier access to black and white photography materials (hubby). And we can vote in the November election!
ReplyDeleteThis must have been an incredibly hard decision for you. I am so sorry that you had to make it - but glad that you made it before ugly necessity made it essential.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the future in these terms is probably something you didn't think too hard about until you faced so many questions. I know this is a hard decision, but I'm also sure it's the right one for all the reasons you outlined. Remember, I have a nice room if you need a place for a while after you get back.
ReplyDeleteThat had to be a tough decision to make, but what you are saying makes a lot of sense. Can you spend a few months each year there?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book release. Once you get to the marketing face. Sing out if you'd like to be featured on the blog.
It's smart to think of your future and having the support you need as you grow older. Good luck with your move.
ReplyDeleteE. C., that is such a good point: "Before ugly necessity made it essential." Still, it is a hard decision. We wnet back early this month and made an offer on a duplex, and I did realize how nice it was to be home for a few days. So, despite the wrench, there's a brightness to the move as well. Getting lots of support from friends, welcoming us back already. :-)
ReplyDeleteAh, Rosi, thanks, good friend, for such a kind offer. We are going to be whisking in and out so much this visit to sign closing papers and buy a car, that I think it would be too hectic. If all goes well, we can stay at our new home when we make the move and wait for our shipping. But I'll look forward to seeing you then for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sandra, I would love to be featured on your blog! Thanks so much for the offer! To answer your question, yes, we plan to come back for visits as we did before the big move to Braga. We rent a small apartment in Gallicia (2&1/2 hours away from Braga) and can spend some weeks here (where we are now) and drive down to Braga. As long as health and the money hold out, that is. Lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support and good wishes, Natalie. The more details we work out in our plans, the wiser it seems. I don't think we'll regret it, although Braga will be in our hearts forever!
ReplyDeleteAs with so many things, it's better to make the decision oneself before it has to be made for you. All good wishes on the next step!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Vicki! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan. You will still be able to spend quality time in the place you love. I hear ya on health and money holding;)
ReplyDeleteWhen you have time just drop me a note on my contact form so I'll have your email addie and we'll work out the details for a blog appearance:)
Thank you, Sandra, that is so lovely of you.
ReplyDeleteI had menat to get here sooner, but life got in the way. I am sure you have made the right decision, based on what you have shared with us. I know it will be hard to let go, but I am glad you will be returning to the states, since you will speak the language fluently.
ReplyDeleteHi, Elizabeth (and Blelubeard). You are so right. It really will be hard to let go and say goodbye to everyone - even though we'll be back for visits as long as we have the energy for travel. I think we've made the right decision, too. One only has so much time, and as the road ahead gets shorter, I find myself thinking, "Do I really want to devote so much time to translating bureaucratic stuff and appliance information? (Poetry, yes. Even news headlines. And I do want to keep up my Portuguese in order to be conversational, at least. But I'd rather be writing poetry and mysteries than translating documents and worrying about whether we've missed a deadline for something.) All that said, though, we LOVE Portugal and will always treasure this experience and this time.
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