Earth, fire and water – the elements of survival
In August 2005, I swiftly retreated from a two-meter-wide flame-ball which bounced ferociously down the steeply inclined lane which led to my lakeside house situated on the Albufeira do Castelo
Carl Munson invites you to take ‘his’ Portuguese Citizenship Test
This, of course, assuming that you still have the inclination, patience (and age-span) to do so in the current political climate around these matters. And whilst my opening suggestions are
My new friend Alex
It was 40ºC. Several days of extreme heat had beaten the life out of the city. Most of the people I knew had wisely headed for the beaches. My partner
Housing: The plight of Portuguese people in year 2025
The malfunction of the market for residential property has brought a crescendo of complaint from a younger generation which cannot afford the prices and rents caused by the malignancy of
‘Roll’ up! For the greatest showdown on earth
Dare we foreigners speak up on a matter of national importance in these politically-charged times? Is this a good time to put our heads above the cultural parapet and venture
A Year in Monchique 2 – The visitors – April 2019
Despite this wisdom, I had always chosen to live alone. I made that decision many years ago, as my career consumed my time, energy, and everything in between. Living alone
London Calling – August 2025
Join the Kew Kew Gardens is in South West London and proudly boasts that it is the largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK capital. Out of interest, the
Barmy breast-feeding debate takes even further ridiculous turn
Portugal’s barmy breast-feeding debate has taken on an even more ridiculous turn today, as it emerges that the minister (of labour, solidarity and social security) – who claimed some mothers
Does ‘saudade’ sell Portugal short?
We might even call it the country’s foremost intangible export, after the more concrete cultural emblems of pastéis de nata, port wine and Cristiano Ronaldo have been enjoyed and consumed.
The semitic bond of music between Jew and Arab
At the turn of the century, Argentinian-Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim and US-Palestinian academic Edward Said received acclaim for the founding of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. This action brought together musicians