Trip to Portugal - November 2024

I had a wonderful time catching up with my dear friend, Mario. I spent about nine days in Portugal. Mario showed me around Lisbon and we also travelled to Castelo de Vide where Mario is renovating a farm house which was left to his family by his grandmother. While there we took a quick trip into Spain, had a quick lunch and visited an old churccoincih there.

We also went to see a concert by one of the most beloved pop artists in Portugal. This was an interesting experience, as the concert was completely in Portuguese and I do not speak or understand Portuguese (though I am vowing to learn).

I also got to meet Mario's girlfriend, Ines', and saw Joa', his son, who I hadn't seen in about 13 years. I also got to chat with Mario's daughter Clara who is studying in Dublin.

I cooked a few meals for friends and family while I was there and got to meet Mario's dad for the second time as well as his dad's girlfriend. By conicidence, I prepared a middle eastern meal of Kibbi, Tabouleh and Hummus on the day I met Mario's dad's girlfriend who turned out to be of Syrian decent and she was thrilled by the meal.

I look forward to returning again soon.