A Quiet Village

3 Kings Day in Oliveira do Hospital

Sunday is very quiet in Vila Franca da Beira. Actually, it's very quiet every day, which I like. There are no shops open that I'm aware of, which is fine. It's easy to go into Oliveira do Hospital once a week or so to go to the supermercado or the hypermercado. My landlady took me shopping there yesterday, right after she picked me up from the bus station. We went to Lidl, which is kind of like an Aldi's, but far bigger and nicer than the Aldi's at home. Actually there is an Aldi's there as well, but she likes Lidl. I was well and truly shocked to stock my kitchen with a week's worth of groceries plus a lot of staples needed when you move across the ocean with two suitcases and a backpack; the total came to just €104! I lost track of what all had gone into the cart because my landlady was tossing in things she felt I needed, too. Shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper (which come in the tiniest rolls I've ever seen), detergent, cleaning supplies, milk (which only comes in six-pack cartons like oat or almond milk), 20 little bottles of Super Bock, and many other items. Most of what I got in the way of food was organic! But I digress. I should do a whole blog one day on grocery shopping.

A Senhora also took me to the MEO phone shop where I somehow found myself signing a contract for phone service, fiber optic internet and tv service, as well as a landline. I tried to explain that I don't really watch tv and only needed phone service so that I could receive a text message from the bank, and definitely didn't need a landline, to no avail. It's really cheap, though. I have unlimited 5g everything for €72 per month. Let's hope I am approved for a D-7 visa! The technician from MEA is supposed to come install everything tomorrow and get this: they will arrive between 1 and 2 pm. That's right! They specify the HOUR that they'll be here.

There are a number of small shops in Vila Franca: various padarias, pastelarias, uma peixaria, cafés, uma loja de queijos, um mercado, e um mini-mercado, all closed on Sunday. I haven't been out enough to take photos of the town yet, so the photo above is of the church in Oliveira do Hospital, which is the camera, kind of like a county seat. I meant to go walking around today, but I awoke at 8, ate some toast and grapes, and made some coffee. Without drinking any, I fell back to sleep until 2 pm. I was worn out from traveling and honestly, from trying to speak to everyone in Portuguese. I enjoy the challenge and love feeling like I am learning and having some success, but it can make a person tired, too. I mostly lolled about, stoking the fire, enjoying the peace.

When I awoke the first time, I heard a rooster crowing. Now that's a sentence I've never written before. Song birds were singing. A few of them were fighting! It was all lovely. I have only noticed four or five cars pass the road in front of my house in two days. I heard a number of villagers walking to church, talking and laughing. A tractor went by. Don't get me wrong. I like getting out and doing things and have every intention of exploring this beautiful country from north to south with my camera, but today was a time of rest. It is my hope that I am learning to relax within myself. Wish me luck!