Settling In & Stepping Out!!........

Today was laundry day!! We made 3 return trips to the laundry mat, and felt that we really have become part of the community here, because we hung clothes, to dry, in our balcony window!!! That,simply, is how it is done here and my 'delicate', non-dryer clothes were placed in the doorway for all to see! :). It was such a great feeling to be 'part of' the community culture!!

Today was also Market day! We got our daily portions of fresh food and extra oranges, figs and nuts which we are just LOVING!!! The fresh figs, here are sooo great!! We have learned there are summer figs and winter figs! They have become a huge, favourite snack for both of us!

Today was also apartment hunting day!! Yes!! We are definitely exploring the possibility of buying a small apartment here!!! The young, Fado singer we met last week is also a real estate agent so we told him we would like to look at some places. Today we saw a few different styles of apartments and we actually found one we both LOVE, LOVE, LOVED!!! It has SUCH local, architectural character and charm....it is in the area we have come to LOVE.....it has a roof top terrace, which is such a huge asset and it is quite affordable, in terms of cost. We will not/cannot jump into anything quickly, but, we will continue EXPLORING the viability of this, given the poor economic state here, right now, and the fact that real estate prices have dropped, making it a buyers market.

Today was also 'stepping out ' day!!.....On Saturday evening, when we were having our date night at the Tavira Lounge, we met a couple from Scotland who bought a place, in Tavira, about 4 years ago and who, now, spend 1/2 year living here. They were very friendly and initiated a conversation with us! We were polite and friendly in return, but felt a little shy when they quickly invited us to come over to see their apartment, and then they would take us to a great local, off-the-tourist-track restaurant. Although we agreed to this, for today's evening, we both felt very awkward about spending an entire evening with strangers, albeit, friendly strangers and we really did not want to have to go!! :) We went, thinking we would make it a short evening and just get it over with.....disappointed with ourselves for accepting this invitation, in the first place!!! Well....we had a very, very nice time with them!! They are great and interesting people and we learned a lot about Portugal and specifically, Tavira, from them!! They have a beautiful apartment and have really immersed themselves in the community and culture of the local people. They are very clear that they DO NOT live as resident-tourists or ex-pats, here, which was apparent as we observed interactions they had with their neighbours. We enjoyed a wonderful supper in a very inexpensive, local, hole in the wall restaurant, then went for coffee at another cafe. (As it turns out, they have befriended another Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) couple, in the past, which created a little connection to build on!) So....we 'stepped out' of our comfort zone (in terms of socializing with strangers) and we came away feeling that we had met and learned about some very fine people!

Kenny & Christine Boyle from Glasgow,Scotland/Tavira, Portugal

One of the amazing views from their balcony......

After parting ways with them, at about 11:00 pm, we went walking and were drawn into the music and festivities of the Irish Pub in the area!! OMG!!......as we all know, the Irish know how to party and have a great time!! It was a blast....we had such fun, singing and dancing with the whole lot of them!! It was hard to break away and come home because it was so very lively and fun!!

Tomorrow, we are catching a train and taking a quick day trip into a part of Spain called Aya Monte! It will be fun and interesting!

 

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