Just Life With Denise

Tag: europe

  • Porto, Portugal

    It’s difficult at times to get a handle on the concept of time…to my very genuine surprise it has already been 3 years that I ventured to Portugal-a treat for my then 60th birthday and the 30th one for my daughter…it had long been heavy in my heart, struggling as a single parent, that vacationing and travel was not something we indulged in, past the occasional camping trip, coast trip or to visit family-it has been my desire to share experiences with and invite my now adult kids to join me on world exploration-and these birthday celebrations seemed appropriate as any time to invite Jenna to Portugal with me-at least the first week of it. Here are a few posts that popped up as memories this week of my May 3 years ago! Just what I refere to as my FB travel posts so very informal-

    The Douro Valley is famed for being one of the largest and oldest wine growing areas on the planet, and is on the  UNESCO World Heritage list …it was the destination our journey today, and the goal some port and wine tasting as well as history lesson…every corner, turn was a wonderous surprise, amazement-beautiful scenery, lush grapes and wonderful wine! It is difficult to describe the magnitude and scope of the many, many, terraced slopes and the steep grade of these rolling hills…

    Wine production in the Douro Valley dates back to Roman times and owes  much to the monks who revived the practice and cultivated vineyards in the 12th century…a few ruins of monasteries still grace the landscapes…as our guide pointed out on our river cruise after a tasting at one vineyard or also called “Quinto” (FARM also means “5” as they gave a fifth of what they made to the King) and before lunch…followed by another tasting at another quinto… 

    I learned so many fascinating facts and history about grape growing today…like how planting roses in a vineyard actually acts as an early warning system of disease for the vines…I won’t bore you with the particulars but if you need a tour guide for YOUR Portugal trip would gladly offer my services as a personal guide😉😁or ask me out for a glass of port and I will regale you with all I learned…

    Porto Portugal…what an amazing time…the excitement and good energy of a tour, history, culture, food and drink interwoven and brought together by a superb guide and 6-8 personalities of others also interested in adventure and experiencing the country … gathered together from other countries, walks of life, sharing also their languages, culture and other travel experiences…the chemistry of our small tour groups exceptional…friends across a table breaking bread and sharing laughter become friends across a globe, sharing pictures, and contact information…connecting as humans on many levels and discovering similarities more than differences…

    Bon dia…good day…the greeting shared with a smile and a nod throughout the day while walking and navigating Porto

    …a delight all around…small restaurants and bars overflow to sidewalks as people occupy small tables or find a curb, a patch of lawn under an olive tree on the “living rooftop of our neighborhood” or lean against a building…drink in hand, often a cigarette…the tables ALWAYS set in a formal and welcoming manner with wine glasses  beckoning the passerby to “come sit a spell, drink, eat, be merry for life goes fast so take it slow” as do the meals…do not expect our American way of “fast food and fast service” please go with the intention of an experience…the magic begins with dinner hours often 1930-2000 and can extend until midnight…the light of day fading as strings of  lights on buildings and hanging overhead from one area to another begin to twinkle, lending a warm glow to festivities…Jenna and I thought just a weekend occurrence the crowds never really wane no matter the day, we came to realize the Portuguese do this EVERY night throughout the week…feeling nothing but safe wandering the neighborhoods at these later hours…it is also a VERY clean city…so many restaurants with cuisine of any sort and the ever popular local favorites…four legged friends welcome most places but only if very well behaved…Porto attire? Casual, relaxed and unpretentious, comfortable and practical footwear a MUST and rarely saw other than a good pair of walking/running shoes…

    Our bags packed a last visit to a famed book store and we, with some reluctance leave our “home” the last five days and catch a cab to the train station…next stop Lisboa 🥰

    So with a small tug of my heart…

    Adeus, meu amigo Porto, obrigado… até nos encontrarmos novamente

    (My Portuguese improved greatly 😉😁)

    Rumored to be the inspiration of JK Rollins, library in the Harry Potter series, as she was a teacher at the university across the street, this little unique bookstore has become a “Mecca” for fans (though I had this on my list BEFORE I knew of the intrigue)😉😁 worth seeing despite the crowds as I LOVE a bookstore ❤️

  • A bit more to know…

    Ok, well now that “heaviness” is out there, I can share more of the “me” I have become, and what I consider my very abundant life…I sit and ponder in awe of my colossal ego in thinking that I have stories or a life worth sharing with others….in a world that seems set on self destruction, full of daily heartache and strife…but knowing we are more alike than we are different, we laugh, we cry, we aspire, we hope, we love our children and our families, experience stress, doubt, fear and profoundly we all bleed, that there are others out there who are suffering, have experienced nightmares and horrors in life at this current moment, beyond what I can even imagine, is humbling…but I am inspired and encouraged by whatever unseen Spirit, or inspiration to share my “story”…to share my words so I will. 

    Our experiences in life our unique, and subject to history, our context/reality, and our perspectives so I would never be arrogant enough to say “I know how you feel” to another who has also lost a spouse, a child or had similar experiences, who can boast they know someone else’s “feelings”? BUT I also have been “forged in fire”, overcome many hardships and obstacles, suffered lack in my life, so can say with genuine authenticity I have empathy and compassion can “hold space’ for another. The more I healed and found “safety” in myself, dealt with shadow making peace with it, “freed myself”, the lighter I became-started living a life I wanted for myself.

    I have always been a bit “cheeky”, playful, a bit sardonic more than the cutting sarcasm I could, if required pull out and use only when necessary, (find it really has no  good place in communication and a healthy relationship -my humble opinion), but a healthy sense of humor, (I admit sometimes in appropriate-or so deemed by others-eye roll here, as I am unconcerned by what others conclude) I have always had and humor has been some “good medicine” for me…sometimes you just have to laugh at life’s situations, even when faced with trauma – a good belly laugh can have you in tears, and tears of any kind can be a healthy release. I realized early on, we have such a preciously finite time in this present existence. With this in mind, I also want to start sharing the amazing abundance I also have encountered, manifested into my life in realizing that TODAY is my “someday”.

    So will also be including some travel experiences, family stories,- the AMAZING LEGACY of my children and grandchildren, the wisdom and healing I have learned from a child, from pets, nature (of yes! look around you, there are “masters” everywhere, if you are observant, listen with soul and heart)  personal triumphant moments and realizations and some of the art I am now creating from this “creative phase” I am now experiencing in my life…and coincidentally (ha-I do not believe in coincidence) am experiencing in this Year of the Fire Horse, as I am embodying the lessons of this lifetime…

    Not long after my children all graduated and had begun life adventures of their own, having always wanting to learn to sail (a dream since childhood, fascination with pirate movies) and also desiring to be in closer in proximity to an airport, decided to relocate. I had just made the decision to try a new avenue of nursing, one that was a bit less physical but still required specialization and critical thinking, thought how “nice it would be to have a job I could do remotely from home and time to actually travel, sail and kayak. When I have an inspired idea, I put the energy into taking a step toward it, and believe the universe provides opportunity, – POOF there it was -my “perfect” job situation, advertised, -had hoped for, but realizing I lacked some of the qualifications for…I have always told my children to practice the concept/mind thought of “not limiting yourself-put it out there…let them be the ones to tell you no-but do not be the one to limit yourself” so I applied…what’s the worst that could happen? …within a day I had a call for an interview within the week an offer of a new job in Portland area. So here I am…residing 15 minutes (without traffic) away from the airport, and if I save and budget-(drink my coffees at home vs expensive coffees out) and live very simply (and happily) can afford a couple short trips a year. I began solo traveling, deciding not to wait a “perfect, or idealized” partner, lover, friend. Last year I had the amazing experience of enjoying Amsterdam, Scotland and the British Virgin Islands sailing. WOW Scotland-it captivated my heart, and soul, so think I will share a few of my experiences and Facebook travel Journal posts. Just a short one to start, as this has already gotten a bit away from me.

    The admirable “Highland Coo”

     One of my favorite moments of the trip was getting to spend time with some of these shaggy sweet faced critters full of personality. Highland cows, or as they are fondly called by locals, “Highland Coos” are definitely one of the most iconic and photographed highlights of the Scottish Highlands. 

    Highland cows aren’t just your average cows, they are as much a part of the Scottish landscape as the heathered  rolling hills and lochs, their long, shaggy coats, sweet dispositions and huge expressive eyes (if you can find them under their shaggy locks) and impressive horns, they’re not only incredibly cute, and adorable they’re also hardy and RESILIENT – true symbols of the Scottish spirit!

     They were actually bred to “pack” and to pull as their build is hearty and does well in the bogs and terrain.  Hearty to survive the harsh conditions of the Scottish Highlands, these cows have developed a robustness that is admirable. They are capable of enduring cold, wet climates and can thrive in environments that would be challenging for other breeds.

    Their resilience is only out done by their intelligence as they are quick to learn and can remember faces and routines. Their gentleness and curiosity leads them to be natural explorers of their surroundings- they are approachable, form bonds with humans.

    We had the opportunity to visit a small working croft (a farm) to learn more about them and bonus feed a couple lambs! Lady Jane was in the pasture ready to deliver any minute (seriously) and we were hopeful of sharing the experience but alas she did not🙄🫤but here are a few of the other “coos” …Morgana, Flora and a few others I didn’t get the names of…

    Recap:

    Resilience

    Intelligent

    Gentle

    Curiosity…and a precocious sense of humor-apparently

    My kind of “people”😉 With Light-Denise