That's it, I'm leaving again and I can't wait.
This time, I am going to discover Portugal and, as usual, I am preparing intensely for this new country. For two months, I have been learning the language for almost an hour every day and I find myself understanding more and more the Fado singers who have invaded my living room since I chose Portugal as my destination. Duolingo helps me in my quest, even though it has Portuguese-Brazilian instead of Portuguese-Portuguese. Well, as usual, I will surely be able to make myself understood.
My bag is ready. A small backpack that will follow me for three weeks. Since I discovered all the advantages of traveling without hold luggage, I have been working to reduce more and more the possessions that accompany me and I like it. Life is so much simpler when material goods do not weigh us down and our mind is focused on discovery and not on appearances.
Don't get me wrong, I like my little comfort... but a light bag is one of them.
Running... again
Monday evening, departure from Quebec.
Once again it starts with a race. The Quebec-Montreal flight leaves 35 minutes late because the flight computer refuses to start. Arriving in Montreal, I have to run to catch my connection to Lisbon. Three times I hear my name over the airport loudspeakers... saying it's last call. But, lucky as always, the pilot is waiting for me and I am the last traveler to board.
00:40. It has now been 3 hours since I left Montreal and I am happily flying towards… Montreal. It appears our plane was having problems with its navigation system and the pilot decided to turn back. Airplane computers definitely don't favor me today... or maybe that's just one of the reasons why Air Canada won the award for worst airline in the world.
Arriving in Montreal at 2:50 a.m., I found a hotel, a taxi and plopped down heavily on a bed an hour later. Okay, we'll try again tomorrow.
The next day, everything went smoothly. Taxi, plane, arrival in Lisbon, car pick-up. Everything is going great.
However, I am very tired. It must be said that two nights sitting in economy class is not the most relaxing. Fortunately, my companion still has energy and he is the one who drives the car to Peniche, an hour north of Lisbon, while I serve as his co-pilot.
One hour? Yes, when you have GPS and an Internet connection. Unfortunately, the E-Sim card, purchased before the departure, does not work despite all my attempts. However, this is not the first time I have used this technology and it has always worked well. So, plan B, I use the Map.Me app. Knowing that everything doesn't always go as planned, I thought about downloading the map of Portugal before my departure.
After a few detours caused by the lack of precision of Map.Me and, let's face it, by our fatigue, we arrive at Péniche.
After a delicious late lunch in a typical restaurant, I take possession of my residence for the next two days
I booked a small apartment on the edge of the cliff to have a sensational view, to properly celebrate my arrival in Portugal and to mark the birthday of my partner who is celebrating his 47th birthday... US, at the current exchange rate.
Our host welcomes us warmly and offers us a bottle of wine which we taste to the sound of the waves which accompany the return of the fishing boats.
The next day, I walk around Peniche and already dream of being a full-time resident there. I am also very happy to realize that my intensive Portuguese learning has paid off. I almost speak like a native. Well... I'm exaggerating a little but, so little.
For those interested, here is the contents of my bag. A very long list and yet, everything fits in my little backpack.
Beauty Bag
Washcloth
Shampoo-soap bar
Shaver
Hair elastic
Comb
Shea Butter
Tweezers
Dental floss
Kleenex
Urinette
Nail clipper
Q-Tips
Water Pike
Mini sewing kit
Drugs
Benadryl (allergy)
Immodium (diarrhea)
Pepto-Bismol tablet
Electrolytes (pressure drop)
Azythromycin (broad spectrum antibiotic)
Antibiotic (urinary tract infection)
Dressings for blisters
Dressings
Ibuprofen (Fever)
Anti-humidity bag
Corn starch
Liquids
Hydroalcoholic gel
Eye drops
Solar cream
Antifungal cream (mycosis)
Hydrocortisone cream
Anti-inflammatory cream
Melaleuca essential oil
Mini beauty kit plane cream, balm
Toothpaste
Antiperspirant
Clothes
Tilley hat
1 T-shirt
Canada pins
Ziploc bag, small and large
1 Pants
1 Culottes
1 Long sleeve shirt
1 merino sweater
Underwear
1 Bra
2 bobettes
2 Pairs of fine stockings
1 Swimsuit
Water shoe (Keen)
Windbreaker
Sheet laundry soap
Electronics box
Computer charger
Phone charger
Anti-humidity bag
Electrical outlet adapter
USB key (documents+photos)
Cables
Mini headphones
Laptop
Chest bag
Toothpaste (ultra mini)
Toothbrush
Euros
Passport
Backpacker's Guide
Little old lady's glasses (what do you want, over 40...)
Sunglasses
Pen + notebook
Cell phone
Earplugs
Business cards from Curvesandcracks.com
ATM card
Credit card
Quebec driving license
International driving license
Gourd
Neck pillow
Starter Kit
Socks
Pants
Shirt
T-shirt
Bra
Bobette
Silk scarf
Shoes
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