Your town sounds beautiful! I’m also originally from California, but have lived in the Netherlands for a decade. It’s so striking to me how different Americans who’ve just left sound. We came for the adventure; those like you leaving now sound like you’re fleeing. It’s a bizarre experience to feel myself turning into an exile as the place I left behind changes so much it become unrecognisable as home.
Thank you for reading, Sarah, and for this sad but true observation about the place we all left. More important, thank you for opening a bookshop! I look forward to following your adventure.
Can’t agree more. Being a bit older, I watched the same shows plus another called SEA HUNT starring all the Bridges (Jeff, Beau and their dad, the star). I too spent my life dreaming of the ocean and dolphins. It is a dream come true being here. So happy to have met and to know you both❤️
So appreciate the excellent update… It’s so monumentally insane how fast/far sunk this country has gone in 9 months. You documenting life overseas helps remind us here — here is NOT normal.
As I read this, we're on our way to Chicago for our escape flight. We're in Rawlins, WY right now, which is in the running for most grim town I've ever visited. The overwhelming fascist-supportive signals are a good reminder of why we're leaving. Keep documenting the contrasts, but also your wisdom in leaving. The lack of contrast we see in this part of the world is much more unsettling than dog shit on the pavement.
Thanks Millie! I have the same questions about the vacant property and will be listening for answers the more I learn about our new home. My guess is yes but also, based on Wikipedia's good entry on the Portuguese economy, there are likely a lot of other factors specific to the Portuguese economy going further back. I also think there's been an out-migration of young people especially in smaller towns like ours.
Your town sounds beautiful! I’m also originally from California, but have lived in the Netherlands for a decade. It’s so striking to me how different Americans who’ve just left sound. We came for the adventure; those like you leaving now sound like you’re fleeing. It’s a bizarre experience to feel myself turning into an exile as the place I left behind changes so much it become unrecognisable as home.
Thank you for reading, Sarah, and for this sad but true observation about the place we all left. More important, thank you for opening a bookshop! I look forward to following your adventure.
Hi CJ! Nice article!
Thanks for reading, Sue!
Can’t agree more. Being a bit older, I watched the same shows plus another called SEA HUNT starring all the Bridges (Jeff, Beau and their dad, the star). I too spent my life dreaming of the ocean and dolphins. It is a dream come true being here. So happy to have met and to know you both❤️
Thank you for helping us land smoothly, Colleen.
So appreciate the excellent update… It’s so monumentally insane how fast/far sunk this country has gone in 9 months. You documenting life overseas helps remind us here — here is NOT normal.
Thank you Leslie. Sending much love and gratitude for everything you're doing there.
As I read this, we're on our way to Chicago for our escape flight. We're in Rawlins, WY right now, which is in the running for most grim town I've ever visited. The overwhelming fascist-supportive signals are a good reminder of why we're leaving. Keep documenting the contrasts, but also your wisdom in leaving. The lack of contrast we see in this part of the world is much more unsettling than dog shit on the pavement.
Hard to hit "like" here except for the part about your escape flight. Safe travels.
Hey CJ - thanks for news I like to read. Curious if the vacant property is due to similar issues we see in the US.
Thanks Millie! I have the same questions about the vacant property and will be listening for answers the more I learn about our new home. My guess is yes but also, based on Wikipedia's good entry on the Portuguese economy, there are likely a lot of other factors specific to the Portuguese economy going further back. I also think there's been an out-migration of young people especially in smaller towns like ours.
Beautifully composed and posted. Thanks a bunch. Onward!!!
Thanks Mom!
I left the US for Portugal a few years ago. If you come into Lisbon at all and would like to grab a coffee feel free to DM.