It feels like the past few days, because of their chaotic nature, have slipped away.
Thursday morning, on our last portuguese lesson before the holidays, Herminia gave us Oporto wine branco (which is 19.5% alcohol and completely different from all the wines I had before, but it’s supposed to be a digestive so I guess it makes sense) and Ferrero rocher.
Thursday afternoon, on the other hand, felt like a complete déjà vu. (if after looking at the picture you don’t know what I’m talking about, then please refer to week 1).
Friday I worked on recording and editing the second video for my series. Listening to my voice is already painful enough, listening to my voice over and over and over again is my own personal circle of hell. The thing that keeps me going is the fact that I need to push myself out of my comfort zone, because if I don’t nothing is ever going to change in my life.
Also I’m (stupidly) a perfectionist and if I could I would never leave the recording booth. Fortunately the fact that other people need the space as well keeps me from permanently changing my address to the office and moving in.
On Friday evening, instead I went with Nuno to Quinta da Princesa to give a training about Google Docs and making tables.
Even though I lived alone before, this was the first time I didn’t spend the holidays with my family (my grandma wasn’t thrilled at all). Simon went back to France for a couple of weeks, so we’re now three in the apartment.
On Saturday we had the big assembly with all of the members of the organization and then we headed towards the restaurant for the Christmas lunch. The rest of the day was free and I chose to spend it on my own relaxing at home and doing some cleaning.
On Sunday and Monday I went to Lisbon for a couple of solo adventures: I first saw the Torre de Belém and went inside the Monastero dos Jerónimos, then slowly walked back along the coast to Cais do Sodre. On the second day I walked around the LX Factory, then had lunch with a friend and did a tour of Lisbon’s churches (Sé de Lisboa, Igreja de Santo António and Igreja Santa Maria Madalena) during which I had the chance of seeing a few peculiar things. The day ended with the sunset, accompanied by live music and a cold beer, from the Miradouro de Santa Catarina.
I celebrated Christmas Eve with a Italo-Brazilian dinner at a friend’s house in Lisbon: I tried bacalhau, discovered pao de queijo and had way too many desserts (tiramisú, chocolate mousse, fig cake and crème caramel). I also ended up spending the night since the public transportation was suspended for the festivities.
The 25th which I usually celebrate with my family was spent instead resting from the partying I did the day before. (After of course a mandatory 30 min long call with all of my relatives)
