Masking the emotions
The new normal is for us all to wear a mask and, in the few times since March that I have ventured into this ânew worldâ for food shopping or
Thank you, Aristides de Sousa Mendes
Last month I wrote about Aristides de Sousa Mendes who saved thousands of people fleeing the Nazi invasion of 1939 by issuing them visas into Portugal. His story is one
A Heroâs House Revisited
In 2014, I wrote about Portuguese consul Aristides de Sousa Mendes who, during WW2, issued visas to save the lives of over 30,000 people (including 10,000 Jews) fleeing the Nazis.
Loss and renewal
Living through these unprecedented times, with the future so uncertain, nothing was inspiring me to write. The only thing that sprang to mind and felt appropriate was the word âlossâ.
Casa do Povo
Casa do Povo means âHouse of the Peopleâ and this is exactly what this organisation is in the town of SĂŁo Bartolomeu de Messines. It is a place where the
Carnival
Carnival day is February 25. The date varies each year because Carnival is always the day before Lent starts and, therefore, 47 days before Easter, which also varies each year,
Royal Concierge!
I am not a James Bond fan, but I now have a very special reason for watching two of the movies. Having found out that Estoril had been a refuge
The power of Zumba dancing
I am not a dancer despite both my parents having been professional dancers and my sisters loving it too. I recently went with my friend Marina Dutra to one of
Algarvean chimneys and platibandas
Following on from my article last month on the beautiful azulejo tile façades that are part of Portugalâs architecture, I have been learning about two unique features of traditional Algarvean
Azulejos â Portugalâs tile heritage
I recently spent an afternoon walking around the small streets of Olhão where there are lots of houses with tiled (azulejo) façades. I thought it would be interesting to start