Comments on: One Year(ish) In – The Advice You Probably Haven’t Heard https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/ Lisa and John and the world. Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:47:06 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 By: John https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-388 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:47:06 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-388 In reply to Michael & Betty Jones.

I’m still not sure that Antonio knows just how famous he is. 😀

]]> By: Michael & Betty Jones https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-387 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:30:25 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-387 Although we are originally from Texas, we have lived the past 6 years in South America (Ecuador). As we approach our First Year Anniversary here in Braga, we have to agree with everything said here, especially the Pedestrian Crosswalks. This took some getting used to, because “Zebra Crossings”, as they are known in Ecuador, will actually cause some drivers to Speed Up! We have watched many people dive for the curb, even after looking both ways and seeing no nearby traffic! And Braga did “feel right” from the very beginning – felt like “home”. And lastly, can’t say enough about Antonio. Shortly after moving into our apartment, the main light fixture in our bathroom burned out. Sadly, it was not simply a case of changing the bulb. The fixture and the bulb were all one unit. Since the fixture was no longer available from where it was purchased, we called Antonio. He said, “Let me have it for a day and I’ll see what I can do.” The next day he came by and re-installed the newly re-wired and reconfigured light fixture. Unbelievable. What a great guy! So much like so many other Portuguese people we have met here from our grocer to our pharmacist to our butcher. So glad we are here!

]]> By: John https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-385 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 03:48:46 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-385 In reply to Sharon Durant.

So so true. It’s taken awhile to get to know our neighbors much; we’re in a newer building and I think most of the other units are young professionals on *very* different schedules from us. But still, every interaction is genuine and I can feel the puzzle pieces slowly locking into place.

]]> By: John https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-384 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 03:47:16 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-384 In reply to David Pollack.

Cheers, thanks! 🙂

]]> By: John https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-383 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 03:47:02 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-383 In reply to Kristen Morey.

100% agreed! Just last week I’m standing right about where the buses line up at Braga Shopping and I just looked down the praca towards the fountain and saw the old churches peeking out from behind the cafes, with the big church on the far side of the green, and I mean, I’m not even a church guy or anything but it was so overwhelming. Love love love it.

]]> By: John https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-382 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 03:45:24 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-382 In reply to Bill Womack.

Just *today*, I tried my relatively new trick when I feel like I’m going to be rude by stepping out and it failed. If I feel like the car that’s coming is moving fast enough, and I’m far enough away, I’ve been trying to basically fake like I’m turning down the corner, hoping to then slip behind the car after it moves by. (I have no idea why I care, but there ya go…) Anyway, they caught me out! I turned left on the corner like I’m checking out my options and they still came to a stop and just waited for me. UGH! I’ve really got to get over it…

]]> By: Sharon Durant https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-381 Sun, 22 Jan 2023 23:23:45 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-381 I’m smiling like a fool and have happy tears in my eyes. All this is true. Braga gets in your heart immediately (or for some, perhaps, never).
My neighbors mostly do not speak English words, but they speak words of welcome and belonging. They include us and share with us. We are home.
And I will get accustomed to walking the sidewalks…and trust sooner for drivers to stop.

]]> By: David Pollack https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-379 Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:48:24 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-379 Great read you guys, thanks!

]]> By: Kristen Morey https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-378 Mon, 16 Jan 2023 19:47:16 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-378 I laughed out loud at: “Number Five – Get Your Toaster from Antonio”

I feel so in The Know! 😉

And you are so right. Braga immediately spoke to me. It seemed the most beautiful city of all that I had seen – no contest! Almost 6 months in and I still walk down the streets absolutely overwhelmed that I have the luck to be living HERE.

]]> By: Bill Womack https://the-ramble.net/2023/01/16/one-yearish-in-the-advice-you-probably-havent-heard/#comment-377 Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:57:47 +0000 https://the-ramble.net/?p=3252#comment-377 Wow, I expected that Angela and I would have had similar experiences and observations during our first few months in Braga, but *exactly* the same? Spooky!

We too have mused about the chaos on the sidewalks, and about how any irritation we might feel at it is purely our problem. We’re slowly learning not only to be cool about how other people take up space, but worry less about how we do as well! As Americans, it’s a surprisingly difficult lesson.

Likewise, blithely crossing the street at a crosswalk took a little getting used to. We are learning. And you know what? It’s really nice; just one more thing not to have to negotiate in life. I like it.

And of course, nobody lives here long without getting to know Antonio. We too have partaken of his generosity, and we’ve also had to stand on his neck to get him to accept our payment. What a guy. 🙂

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