A Year's Lessons

Today marks a year of living in Portugal. I can't begin to list all the lessons that God has allowed us to learn... some through tears, others through belly laughs. Last week, we traveled to parts of the country that we had never visited. My in-laws were with us. As they mentioned their observations, it dawned on me that there are many things about Portugal that I never knew before coming here. So, to commemorate one year, here are 8 things (cultural and otherwise) that I never knew before coming to live in Portugal. 
 

A shepherd herding sheep and goats at the highest point in the southern region, the Algarve, with the aid of his puppy.

1. Portugal is smaller than Kentucky
While the Bluegrass state occupies 102,895.05 sq. km., Portugal takes up 92,090. However, the population of Portugal numbers over 6 million more than KY.

 2. Portugal is very diverse
Keep in mind that the area of Portugal is smaller than KY and then try to wrap your mind around the fact that at the same time in summer, it can be mid 80s in the south while parts of the north (where port wine is harvested) the temps reach well over 100. Mountain ranges are separated by planes in the interior. Beyond the physical diversity is that of culture, architecture, history, and industry. It's pretty remarkable. In one city, you can see the remains of a Roman temple to Diana, ancient megaliths, and a small chapel decorated by bones!

The south is characterized by the white wash buildings accented with yellow trim and clay tile roofs.

North of the country in Porto, you'll find bright colored buildings that, at least in appearance are older.

The bone chapel in Évora, a city located in the interior.

3. Portugal produces about 1/2 of the world's supply of cork
Did you know cork is just tree bark? Over the course of decades, a cork tree is harvested to produce all sorts of products including but not exclusive to: umbrellas, shoes, hats, wallets, belts, ties, and our personal favorite... bikini. Our friend affectionately coined the term "corkini" to more accurately describe it.

4. There are rules for naming your children in Portugal
There is an official list of names from which parents are allowed to choose. We've heard it's to avoid naming your kid after a fruit or inventing a new name out of your own imagination. Needless to say that my name didn't make the list since it means "face" in Portuguese. It's impossible to be assumed Portuguese after I introduce myself. Interested to see if your name made the cut? Check out this post I found that has an official list attached at the end. 

5. God teaches you the most outside of your comfort zone
I hate being uncomfortable. I've had to carefully consider what I am praying before the words leave my mouth. I've found that God often answers hard prayers by leading me outside of where I am comfortable thus making me rely more on Him. If a week or month passes and I haven't drawn closer to God, it's often because I haven't left where I felt comfortable. Stepping out is hard. Joining a gym for the first time ever, playing in a community band, and learning to cook foods that you've never heard of before is hard...especially in a second language.

6. Living in a foreign country is draining
There's no other way to say it. A simple to-do list of going to the grocery, post office, and bank could literally take all day. There's not really a time when we are completely in our comfort zone. Language, culture, our ideas of "normalcy"... many factors serve to remind us that we aren't in our "homeland". Six months into our time here, we finally came to the conclusion that living out a normal day here simply requires more energy. This led to a lesson on grace. Grace for myself on days when I feel like my to-do list is constantly growing while my willpower is ever-decreasing. Grace for my sweet, introvert, husband when a busy week of interacting with people leaves him empty of energy come the weekend.

An example of traditional painted tiles, azulejos, in Porto

 7. Be Humble.
This is a lesson still in the process of being taught. However, I'm convinced there's not much that is more humbling than speaking at a kindergarten level. I've definitely learned that I don't know half of what I once thought I knew! More than the book knowledge or cultural acquisition, I've been shown over and over the importance of humility in my spiritual life. The Lord is merciful and gracious to have brought me to this place. I cannot earn the gifts that he has given me, yet He chooses to delight in me! I am humbled when I remember that apart from Him I am nothing (John 15:5). His goodness humbles me and causes me to view Portugal (it's culture and it's people) with more compassion and love.

And I have grown to love Portugal and the Portuguese! I'm convinced that Portugal will always have a special place in my heart. It has become my home, my friend, and my teacher.