Far from home.

Portugal is a very strange little country. I never had imagined it could be so different, yet in a few way is similar to what I expected. Sometimes during the day I have to pinch myself as a way to wake myself up to make sure this is actually happening. I sit quietly in the classroom where my peers blab on and on in sharp cutting sounds and words that I can only distinguish slightly, never fully absorbing the words in a natural state of understanding. I am an estrangeira, and an obvious one at that. Maybe it is just in my head, because wherever I go in the back of my head rests the knowledge that I am foreign. If walking down the street, most assume I am not American, as ethnically I do not look very different from everyone else. A little paler, but it is not altogether uncommon. Soon the feeling will fade as I am so new to the place.

I am not homesick, at least not yet. There are, of course, things that I miss, such as the fruit loop, coffee at night, brunches at my favorite french restaurant, and even spending hours reading books at barnes & nobles. and of course, many of the people I left behind. Being here makes me realize how different people really are. Not just on the exterior, but deep within us all. What we value, what we accept, how we express emotion, what we think is important in life. It's just so different.

The lifestyle in Portugal is very slow paced. I knew this prior to my arrival, but it really translates into everything they do. They are slow to rise in the morning, walking slowly throughout the day to get to their desired destinations, spending lots of time on meals and such. In fact, they spend most of the day preparing lots of food, which usually includes all the family members at the table. The constant family interaction has been the one of the main difficulties for me. Coming from the US, it was a strange concept to me to even think about spending so much time with the whole family. Especially since I am not even blood related. It still remains a struggle for me to connect with those surrounding me, as my language skills are pretty much that of a precocious seven year old. Although I usually just mumble a bit and it gets me by. For now.

Another one of the major cultural differences that I am crazy not fond of are....the beijinhos. As much fun as it is to air kiss everyone on the cheeks, including tons of people I don't actually know, I quite detest it. It seems I can never get it right, and have yet to feel completely confident and comfortable at every greeting. I end up smashing my head into the other person's nose or nearly kissing someone's ears. I have yet to master it, although I would kill for a hug about now. so HUGS TO EVERYONE.