During our time in Portugal, we enjoyed the company of so many people who made our life a joy. All of these people were a huge comfort and support as I was unraveling from Portugal and heading back to the USA.
In our building, Edificio Cascais Atrium, we had a guard and reception center in the lobby. Two guards, in particular, became an important part of our life there. Neither one spoke English but they were patient with our lack of Portuguese language skills. We would fall back on Google Translate in a pinch. They learned quickly that I was a devoted customer of Amazon España and often delivered packages directly to our apartment. With them, I also learned that the power of cookies can overcome all kinds of language barriers. Antonio (on the left) and Carlos (on the right) always met us with smiles and made our days brighter.
I met Rodica Cojocariu early in 2021, as soon as COVID restrictions allowed nail salons to open. She was recommended by another American expat and she soon became a regular part of my routine when I met with her for her world-class manicures and pedicures. Originally from Romania, she is the mother of two lovely boys. She was with me during all the good times and offered comfort and support as things became difficult.
Marta Maspero is a real estate agent in Cascais. Although she specializes in luxury real estate sales, she helped us find our rental in the Atrium in May of 2021. In June of 2023, she jumped right in when I called to help negotiate with the owner of our apartment to allow me to end my lease early and helped me overcome some obstacles as it came time to leave. I still love seeing her Facebook posts on the multi-million euro properties she sells in the area. Her incredible success is no surprise to me at all.
Helena Reis was our housekeeper during our time at the Atrium. She came by train and bus from Lisbon every week to keep our apartment in perfect condition. I consider her part of our family. She was especially sweet with our dear dog Chili with whom she spoke Portuguese. I am pleased that we are keeping in regular contact via WhatsApp.
With our frequent travel, we needed to find a reliable taxi service to take us to and from the airport. We discovered Luis's Taxi through a Facebook group for expats in Cascais. We learned early on that he also provided tours. We had only been in Portugal for two weeks when we first went out with him a one of his tours to Lisbon and Sintra. It was just before the total lockdown in February 2021. A month later, Luis went with us to help buy our car. His airport transfer service was always reliable and through him we met several of the drives he has on staff. Several of our guests can attest to his expertise as a local guide. Everyone loves Luis! If you ever go to Cascais, let me know and I'll make the introduction.
We met Angela and Jake Logan, a young American couple who were moving to Portugal from Michigan at a local restaurant. Angela is a school teacher and Jake is an attorney who works remotely. We were so impressed by their adventuresome nature moving to Portugal when they were so young. We enjoyed a Christmas luncheon with them and met up with them from time to time to catch up. I share my last dinner out in town with them just before I came back to Chapel Hill.
Once the world started turning again in 2021, we needed to find a petsitter for Chili. Through the website Trusted Housesitters and Petsitters, we found Lauren Foley and her boyfriend Mark. Hailing from Ireland, they were moving to Lisbon. This suited us all perfectly as they would come and stay at our apartment with Chili whenever we traveled. As digital nomads, they had the flexibility to work from anywhere. When she would see the suitcases come out, Chili would become apprehensive. But as soon as Laura and Mark came in the door, she was thrilled and would hurry us on our way. They always sent great photos and short videos of their walks with the old dog. My favorite was when they took her to an outdoor concert across the street at Casa da Guia and we could see Chili's head bopping along with the music. After a year, they left Portugal and are living their lives as digital nomads and traveling around the world.
In May 2021, I was looking for assistance moving us into our new apartment. Through that expats in Cascais Facebook group, I found Matt Lloyd who was then running "Man and a Van." Not only did he move our stuff from one apartment to the new one, he went up to Lisbon to Ikea to pick up our furniture order (two bedrooms, living room, and dining room). Just getting all that stuff up the elevator into the apartment was daunting. Later that afternoon, we met his wife Meg. Not only was she charming, she really enjoys assembling Ikea furniture. We soon learned that we would run into Matt and Meg (and their wonderful dog Zack) whenever we went into town. This was usually at one of Cascais's fabulous Irish pubs. Once the pandemic eased, Matt and Meg returned to their real work as owners and actors at the Calliope Theater Company. With the theater, they travel around Portugal performing full costume productions and teaching English as a second language to school children across the country. I miss them terribly but am happy to keep in touch frequently. I particularly enjoyed some real time texting with Matt (who is British) during the Super Bowl this year. He was hilarious. I remember that Will particularly loved his conversations with Matt about immigration. It was Matt that pointed out that people moving from other countries to Portugal were immigrants, but Americans and Brits were refugees. I think that actually made Will spit his beer.
Aurelia and Rick Falero were our next-door neighbors at our first apartment in Cascais. They arrived a few months after us from Miami. I still remember on evening when Aurelia was perched on the wall between our houses, calling out to me to see if we could share a happy hour. We enjoyed frequent dinners out and sharing experiences with our respective moves to Portugal. Even after they moved to Ericeira, an hour of so north of us, we kept in touch. In December of 2022, the four of us went to Madeira together. Although we were all battling colds, we still had a great time.
Those of you who have followed this blog have already been introduced to the Peraltas -- Mara, Juan, Lizzy, and Matias. I cannot begin to explain what these people meant to us and still mean to me. We met them in 2021 when they moved from Montreal and took up residence in our building. We quickly became family. Not long after I returned to the US, they left Portugal to move to Valencia, Spain. However, they are now in the process of moving back to Montreal. I am ridiculously excited at the prospect of them being: 1) on the same continent; 2) in the same time zone; and 3) being a two-hour direct flight from Raleigh.
We were so lucky to have our lives in Portugal enriched by our friendships with all of these people. I will never stop appreciating the care and support they offered when it was most needed.
You write so lovingly and warmly about your adventures and more so about the love and appreciation for the folks you met along the way. Beautiful. It allows me to feel as if part of me was there with you.
Only those who travel know how easily language barriers disappear with a smile, a big heart, and simple courtesy (and a glass of wine!). Thank you Winnie, for sharing your friends and your stories, with us //