Here we go again to wrap up Juan’s monthly update on his stay in Portugal. The past month has been really busy due to the holiday period and related celebrations, and many might have also gained weight because of the season. Usually, December is when I forget everything about my diet, and it’s the time when I promise myself that I will do better in the next year. The are moments of sadness when reflecting about the thing I have not accomplished the past year but there’s always a hopeful attitude that the best is yet to come.
A TRIP TO VIGO
This was one of the highlights from the past month. With just over two and a half hours of train ride from Porto, we experienced a very festive Christmas light treat in Spain. It had been years since the last time I saw such a ridiculously extravagant Christmas light display, and Vigo did not disappoint us. Literally, every street had a different Christmas display with crazy huge ornaments one after another, a Christmas market, and rides like a Ferris wheel.
It was actually my first trip in Spain, so there’s was this extra excitement. I always wanted to go to Spain to set my feet in the country that colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years. I want to understand and learn more about their rich culture that is inherited to us and see the beauty it has preserved over centuries.
So, we explored the city by walking around the area, visiting a park up the hill, Park Monte del Castro, which has a very nice view overlooking the city. The coastal walks from the city center to Praia de Bouzas, Praia dos Olmos, Praia do Tombo do Gato, and Playa do Samil were certainly among my favorites. We had great seafood in a restaurant for free (an experience that only happens in movies), checked out local snacks and coffee, and surprisingly found a Filipino restaurant called Mabuhay.
As what we usually do when visiting a city, we booked in a free walking tour via GuruWalk. Unfortunately, we were informed that the tour would be canceled due to lack of participant in the English tour. We were invited to join the Spanish tour, but alas, I wished I could understand everything.
It was a short three-day trip in a small part of Spain. This is certainly not the first and last time Juan will explore this beautiful country. To more historic landmarks, from medieval castles and intricate cathedrals, experiencing the modern Spain and the different cuisines, I’ll see you again, España.
Christmas and new year celebrations
Before moving to Portugal, we set a goal that in December, we would host a party with friends we would meet in the city after moving. We had very low expectations of meeting nice people who could possibly be our friends in the future, and we thought that the Christmas and New Year season might make us feel down since we would be far from our family and friends in Singapore. That season is over, and we are more than happy with how it went.
Prior to our move to Porto, we were chatting with a few people living in Porto, seeking advice about the city and what it’s like to live there. Others invited us to meet up once we arrived in the city. A few days after the move, a group of expats (mostly “Kano”) was planning to start a monthly drinking party every third Thursday of the month, and we were lucky to be approached by one of the organizers through a Facebook group I joined. From that gathering, we met a few lovely individuals and couples with same situations, all looking to make Portugal their new home. From that same group, we also connected with couples who invited us (or vice versa) for dinner and drinks.
We also met a few Filipinos (of course, we are everywhere) living in Porto and its outskirts. Growing connections from one Pinoy to another, I am glad to find a community speaking in the language that I was only fluent. Juan was even invited to a Christmas Party of Filipinos living in Porto, Portugal. Well, to be honest, I expected it to be very messy and unorganized and again, I wasn’t wrong, but it was still a fun day with my Kabayans. I ate a lot of Filipino food, drank a lot to gain confidence, joined parlor games, and even nominated myself to be the president when they conducted an election of officers. I lost. Yet again, I nominated myself to be the vice-resident, and I lost again.
This will be updated.
1. Christmas and New Year Celebrations
2. Baking
3. Application of documents
4. School registration
5. Business plan
6. Playing padel