'An Old Guy in Europe' - Episode 5: My First Day in Portugal

[@Taking_Back_Thyme]

Enjoyed your video. I’m originally from San Jose and relocated to Tennessee last October. I’ve been trying to get my dual citizenship in Italy for about 4 years. So now I am looking at the possibility of Portugal.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Thank you for your comment. I'm happy you enjoyed the video, and hope you will enjoy many others. In the meantime, I wish you great success with your dual citizenship efforts, and hope to see you again soon.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

I discovered that I made an error regarding the word for 'Imperial' in the north of Portugal. It is 'fino', not 'fina.' 😯🤷

[@LFANS2001]

Hi, excused from your error. "Fina" means slim. You'll get used to the feminine and masculine terms of the portuguese nouns. Nice video indeed. The jet lag strategy in westbound flights is to sleep as much as you can during the flight. 2 hours nap after arriving will bring your biological clock to normality. I've spent 10 years flying from Lisbon to Port Moresby via Frankfurt and Singapore on a 28 days On - 28 days Off schedule, so I'm experienced on the subject... Flying eastbound is terrible, I was taking almost a week to normalize. I hope your move to our country will fulfill your needs. It's a factor of quietness having friends supporting us in a "new" country. Cheers, Bem-vindo, enjoy and be happy on this little corner of Europe.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@LFANS2001 - Thank you both for your patience and forgiveness, as I continue to learn the Portuguese language (it's a long journey, but progressing), and for your helpful advice on reducing jet lag. I neglected to mention in the video that I was travelling later in the day (and overnight) and arriving in the morning - hence my suggestion to sleep as much as possible at your biological time clock's 'normal' time ... pretty much the same idea as you suggested - essentially working 'with' your normal sleep pattern as much as possible. Thank you too, for your kind and welcoming words ... all consistent with what I have found to be a fundamental part of the Portuguese culture, as I have experienced it over the past 2 1/2 year. I'm happy you enjoyed this episode, and look forward to more of your comments on other episoces, if you are so moved. Desejo-vos sempre amor, alegria e paz.

[@helenafactome]

Yes, quite right, I flew straight from Lisbon tô Hong Kong and it was very confortable, I slept 4 hours because I was arriving at night, everything was perfect - it's a 18 hous flight, 1 hours in Dubai.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Thanks for watching Helena, and for your comment, I hope you are enjoying the channel, and will continue exploring the episodes. And I am happy to know your travels went so well for you. 18 hours is a long flight.

[@antoniodasilva1230]

Very cool congratulations

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@antoniodasilva1230 - Obrigado António. I’m happy you enjoyed it, and hope to see you again. 😊👍

[@Alfablue227]

Welcome to your new home Old Guy! Portugal, as you may have found by now, is far from perfect, but it offers many wonderful chapters and moments in life. Culturally, it can be rough at first. There may be a nr. of ways that may get you frustrated as time goes by, but don't let it get you down. In the end, it all works out, even if at 1st it looks like it is not going to be. I left my little Portugal as a 13 year old, and finally returned home (from Arizona) 40 years later or 6 years ago. It was the best move ever, but it has been an adjustment (after 40 years in the USA) and I am Portuguese, so I can imagine this change for you! Yet, you found Luisa and Sidónio, and what an absolutely wonderful encounter! So much so, you found a home, a new family, and now, even your Portuguese is sounding stellar! You did well in flying TP. Not the best in customer service, but a very safe airline; fly it whenever possible. Don't be afraid to engage with the Portuguese. We can be shy at first or reserved, some may be gruff (depending on the area of the country) but once we realize you are a good guy you become family. Portugal needs people like you. Open minded, that can learn from us, and us from them. Respectful to our country, history, culture, and people. Someone accepting of the fact Portuguese living is different, for we do things real slow here. We enjoy country, people, relationships, family and experiences, more than money itself. Far from being "rich" yet rich in many other ways, that is Portugal. Please get involved and make a difference, because we need that. Again thanks for choosing our little (big)country. I hope you are happy here in Portugal. ❤😊 P. S. Great choice going with Super Bock! Sagres is not bad but SB is the best!!

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@Alfablue227 - Olá Alfa. Muito obrrigado pelos vossos comentários. I couldn’t have said it better myself. You spoke my experience, and understand my intentions. I hope you are enjoying the channel, and to see you again.

[@Alfablue227]

@@AnOldGuyinEurope My pleasure. Thank you. You will.

[@carlossaraiva8213]

Great post, man. And you are of course right, Super Bock is best. Abraços de Almada.

[@Alfablue227]

@@carlossaraiva8213 I am a lady!

[@Jess-rj3qd]

All your worldly possessions trimmed down to one checked bag, one carry-on bag, and one backpack---what a liberating feeling that must have been. Great video James and thanks for sharing your experience!

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Olá Jess. You are absolutely right ... it was/is truly liberating for me. I'm happy to know you are enjoying the channel, and to hear from you. I look forward to seeing you here again. Até então. 😃

[@carlossaraiva8213]

​@@AnOldGuyinEurope j also hope when i have your dge and retire that i can also reducecmy possessions to just one suitcase. I'd love to be a nomad in my twilight years. Sadly it will not be financially possible for me. But i can live vicariously through people like you. Obrigado for the nice words about my country.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@carlossaraiva8213 - Olá Carlos. Obrigado pelo seu comentário. I am happy you are enjoying the channel. "Unloading' my life to three pieces of luggage was incredibly liberating for me. I wish for you exactly the life you would choose for yourself ... and I meant every word of what I said about our home. Desejo te amor, alegria e paz sempre.

[@Teresa-mq1ce]

Welcome to our country and enjoy your time here 😊

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@Teresa-mq1ce Muito obrigado Teresa. I have now been here nearly 3 years, and have my Residency and a newly learned way of saying in Portuguese one of my favorite English phrases ... Diverta-se. ☺👍

[@JPVNG67]

@@AnOldGuyinEurope Divirta-se *

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@JPVNG67 - Sim, sim. Obrigado. Eu sei disso, mas esqueço-me. Mas estou a aprender, e ... I am grateful for your helpful feedback. I hope you are enjoying the channel ... e muito obrigado mais uma vez. ... e ... divirte-se. 😄

[@JPVNG67]

@@AnOldGuyinEurope Yes i am, thank you.

[@NunoFerreiraX]

Welcome to Portugal! 🇵🇹

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Muito obrigado Nuno. Nearly three years now, and I feel very welcome. Hope to see you again. soon. 😀

[@bealbocht63]

What a wonderful way to integrate into the Portuguese community! I’ve watched you on GMP with Carl but now have a much better understanding of how you “landed”

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Thank you so much for your comment. I'm happy you enjoyed it. ☺🙏

[@Nubianette]

That was so great! It made me excited, since I’ll most likely be leaving from SFO as well! The direct flights on TAP didn’t exist, for my 1st trip. Probably due to the pandemic adjustments. I like an evening flight, then I sleep, and wake up in Europe the next day. No stopping in the US! I could imagine your excitement, and disorientation as you experienced your 1st day in Ericeira. The text was useful, and the clips were fun! 👏🏾

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Thank you so much Karen. As I said in my first two episodes, my intention and inspiration for this channel is to provide information, entertainment, and inspiration ... real value ... for people. I am so happy I accomplished that with you. See you on GMP (?) soon.

[@Nubianette]

@@AnOldGuyinEurope I have to go back to sleep! Hopefully, your video will aid in my sleeping manifestation. 😃😴

[@ricardopires3818]

Great video. Welcome!

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Muito obrigado Ricardo. I am happy you are enjoying the channel. I have felt welcome here throughout my 3 years since arriving.

[@pedrotrepa5814]

Enjoy and have fun in Portugal !!!!!

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Muito obrigado Pedro. I am and have been ever since arriving nearly 3 years ago. Now a Resident with a newly learned way of saying in Portuguese one of my favorite English phrases ... Diverta-se. ☺👍

[@ElaineMcGuirk]

That was lovely, thank you. x

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Thank you Elaine. I'm happy you enjoyed it. If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to make finding all the episodes easy, and 'Liking' any episodes you enjoy. I hope to see you again soon.

[@lynetterosario5697]

Hello Old Guy in Europe! I was in Portugal for the first time last Nov and I am returning this Nov, I will be in Lagos and then Ericeira. I can't tell you how Ericeira keeps popping up, ever since I discovered it on a You Tube video. Serendipity?? Very nice video, looking forward to watching another.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Olá Lyn. Thank you for your comment. If you haven't already, you might want to check out my Episodes 8 & 11, my walks through Ericeira. I am happy you are enjoying the channel, and I hope to see you here again. Create yourself a magical return trip in November.

[@lynetterosario5697]

@@AnOldGuyinEurope Thank you so much, I will watch 8 & 11 later today. I will be in Ericeira from Nov 8-12th, any 'must see/do's'? How is the beach during this time? Any side trips? etc...

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@lynetterosario5697 - What I enjoy about Ericeira most is it's 'vibe' ... I guess you just feel it or you don't. The beaches are beautiful, from Foz do Lizandro at the southern end of Ericeira, to Ribeira D'Ilhas to the north. And by November Ericeira will all be VERY quiet ... maybe even with noone on the beaches. If you're in to old castles (conventos), I would recommend the self-guided tours of 'Palacio da Mafra' in Mafra (about 10-20 minute drive east from Ericeira) on Sundays (I believe it's open every Sunday,' )and you shouldn't need reservations, especially at that time of the year ... and be sure to see the library (it's famous). Create yourself a great vacation.

[@lynetterosario5697]

@@AnOldGuyinEurope Thank you so much for the info, will do!

[@hankstalica1922]

The best old guy in Europe. 🤗 • 4:25 I think before the revolution it was the Salazar bridge. • 8:54 how was that drive? Did you guys talk much? • 11:52 Ericeira is very charming. • 12:41 Highlight of the video

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Obrigado Hank. 1. Correto, 2. I really don't remember, I was so tired and overcome with all the new sensory overload, 3. Our first meal together, 4. Claro. É verdade. 😂

[@merwis1]

Great video!

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Thank you so much Steve. I'm happy you liked it. If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to make finding all the episodes easy, and 'Liking' any episodes you enjoy. I hope to see you again soon.

[@ramluisa]

Great video 👍

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Obrigado Luisa.

[@catharinewhitby3649]

Ola James!! Great vids!

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Olá Catarina. ☺ Muito obrigado. I am happy you are enjoying them.

[@jamesmcgivern3724]

nice video.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@jamesmcgivern3724 - Thanks James. I’m happy you enjoyed it. I hope to see you again soon.

[@darrenyorkshire]

it tends to be called Fino in Porto, generally 20cl although some places have Fino at 20/30/50cl just to cause confusion.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Obrigado, Darren. Still trying to get my articles to match my nouns correctly ... and, not to be 'too' specific. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the assistance. Always appreciated.

[@user-pt-67066G]

good luck in PT

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Obrigado. 😊

[@СергейСмирнов-ю2п]

Качественно сделано. Но в видео мало видео) Удачи! Поддержу, подпишусь

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

I agree. Learning as I go. Thank you for your support.

[@HelenaCorreia-hj3fm]

Fino is the smaller one. There's also principe that is biger or caneca that is the biggest one

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Obrigado Helena. Só falo um pouco Português, mas estou aprender. And the differences between north and south manages to complicate things at time ... but, as I said, estou aprender. 😊

[@carlossaraiva8213]

Imperial, tulipa e caneca aqui na terra dos mouros 😊😊😊

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@carlossaraiva8213 - Obrigado Carlos. I always appreciate learning more Portuguese language and culture. At this point I'll keep it simple and just use the two regional references. 😅😂

[@alexandrapatricio2727]

If you allow me it is the river Tejo not Tagus, i think it is strange to ear people giving foreign names to places.

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

Obrigado Alexandra. Tagus is how it is said in English ... I don't know why, but there it is. 🤷‍♀ As I'm sure you know, learning a new language is challenging enough, but then you add the occasional confusion of 'which language do I use when speaking my native tongue about another languages location or thing?' It's mind twisting sometimes. And then I get to add the differences between British English and American English to the mix, and it becomes a real party. I hope you are enjoying the channel, and that I will see you here again. I always appreciate the help from my Portuguese brothers and sisters, so ... mutio obrigado, pela vossa ajuda.

[@noelleclemens7057]

Perhaps in respect to your host country use the Portuguese pronunciation first, then say, "known to English speakers as...whatever it is." Thanks for the video, I agree TAP is a very safe airline, though used to be known for its sometimes bumpy landings! ...​@@AnOldGuyinEurope

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@noelleclemens7057 Olá Sra. Noelle. Obrigado. That's a great idea. It's a new and strange dynamic for me, jumping between the language I"m learning, and the language I'm speaking to other English only people. I think I'll get progressively more comfortable with this dance as I get more practice. I hope you enjoyed the video, and that you will watch more of them. ☺🙏

[@noelleclemens7057]

​Indeed, so many things will come with time! I'm not clear whether you’ve made a permanent move or are on a long sabbatical? The more you immerse yourself in the local culture and landscape the better! - from the point of view of your viewers. I shall hope to follow your progress, and wish you "boa estancia".

[@AnOldGuyinEurope]

@@noelleclemens7057 - I arrived here 3 years ago, and received my residency in February 2022. I continue to immerse and acculturate myself, and plan to for the remainder. Para já, só falo um pouco português, mas estou a aprender. If you're interested in how I arrived here, you might want to check out my episodes 3 & 4. Obrigado pelos comentários.