Wait..wait…wait

Wondering what day-to-day life is like in Portugal?  This post will focus a little on the nitty-gritty of living here for two months.  

I mentioned several weeks ago in a post about "waiting" and how things move slowly here, like getting our internet installed.  Well, 6 weeks later and it still has not happened!  Today another technician came to the apartment but with the same issue-no connection. “You will have to wait”.   We did finally get the water and electricity changed into our name.  The process at the municipal water department was slow and laborious.  It seemed as though the clerk was trying to figure out where we "fit into the boxes" on her computor screen.  At one point Jack had to go next door to a cafe, purchase a coffee in order to use their internet so we could then email her the photo of the water meter from our building! 

 One must have patience and humor to get things done here.  

Jack needed to see a cardiologist and he was lucky to be able to get an appointment in four days at the PRIVATE  hospital in a nearby city, Loule. We had to pay since our insurance wasn't accepted there but the echocardiogram, EKG and 25 minutes with the doctor cost $165.   Since we don't have a car we rely on the train, bus and Bolt (ride sharing like Uber).  

Very comfortable, modern, punctual  buses 

Trains are frequent and connect with the buses 

The train and bus took about one hour and together cost $6.00 but we took Bolt home because it was after dark ($16.00).  We had to return the following week so decided to make a little excursion and stay overnight.  Again bus one way and Bolt home after getting in some shopping  

We had to show proof of Covid vaccines several times including to eat at IKEA. We downloaded a Digital “card” which was accepted in lieu of the EU Digital certificate. 

Our hotel exceptionally clean with full breakfast $39

We couldn’t figure how to open the door-we tried everything finally had to call the office for help. Just needed to pull the chain to the left to unlatch it. 

Loulé is a nice "market" city (pop. 70,000) that is like Olhão in that it is a truly a "real" Portuguese city and not primarily "touristy".  Its roots go back to 200 BC when it was founded as a Roman fort but later thrived under the Moorish invasion.  The castle at Loule was built in the 13th century on the site of both a Moorish and Roman fort.  The castle was built into the city walls and today are the gate tower and three towers, all in remarkable condition largely due to the extensive restoration work during the 19th century!

Loule Castle-"Village of Saints"

This bell tower was originally on the site a Moorish Mosque and was a minaret.  It is the only mosque building from the Moorish era (8-12th centure) still standing in Portugal. 

The "Pinto Arch"(named for the Pinto family who once lived in the homes that the arch connect) and cobblestone street has Moorish influence

There are several medieval churches, convents, chapels, traditional craftsmen's houses, and old merchant homes built into the maze of city walls.  The Arabian inspired covered market has stalls selling all kinds of produce and handicrafts.  While it is lovely, it is a little more sleek and modernized inside than the fish and produce market in Olhão.  

It's all about lights during the holiday in Portugal!  Christmas is much less commercial and more about food, family and outdoor decorations although much of the usual celebrations have been curtailed again this year due to Covid precautions.  

Huge Santa and his reindeer orchestra light up the sidewalks

 In Loulé children and their families could spend several hours in the city's Santa Claus Village that extended over several largos ("squares").  The fantasy village included a tiny synthetic ice rink, small carousel & train for the littlest ones and a low element ropes course for the older kids.  We clearly noticed the lack of commercialism as there were no vendors selling balloons or light sabers and the whole event was free for families. 

this little train ride was in a courtyard of one of the medieval convent buildings

Roasted Chestnuts

Yummy on a cool evening!

We went to a Fado performance
Fado is a type of mournful, melancholic music originating from Lisbon in the 1800's.  It was historically sung by women despairing for their men to come home from the sea

Fado guitar with 12 metal strings