We're Taking Our Time

“Chad loves Portugal.”

That’s the family punchline that accommodates many of life's smaller moments. The golden-hour light over Lisbon, the walks along the river, the grilled seafood at dinner, the late nights in the lamp-lit streets, the fresh-squeezed orange juice, the quiosques—yes, the list goes on and on, but what I love most isn’t any one of those things in particular. It's everything collectively. It’s the lifestyle. It's relearning a skill I used to be good at: the notion of taking your time.

Think about that phrase for a second: Take your time.

We’ve come to define it as slowing down and doing things at a reduced pace. But when you think about the sentence itself, it reveals something different.

Take. Your. Time.

Possess it. Own it. Do with it what you want. It’s yours. Don’t give it away to someone who drops the check on the table before you've even ordered dessert and coffee. Don’t give it to someone requesting that you work over the weekend to meet a deadline you never agreed to in the first place. Don’t let the person behind you in line take it from you when you’re sharing an extra sixty seconds of pleasantries with the person making your sandwich. Don’t let someone tell you that you need to take your drink in a to-go cup when all you want to do is sit down and enjoy it. Don’t give it away to systems that rush you, reduce the amount of time you have to experience joy, that take you for granted, that cheapen you, or that only see you as dollar signs or profits.

The time itself is the actual currency—yes, time is money—but it can be so many things that are actually better if you make that time yours.

The funny thing is that for much longer than “Chad loves Portugal” has been a thing, “Chad is molasses” has been a running thread for much, much longer. Everyone loves to joke about how I “take my time” to do things, but if I’m being truthful, that’s a quality that has begun to change as I've grown older. It has started to make me crazy when we are late for everything. My face can flush as I wait at the door for Alli or Sebastian to finally be ready, almost always resulting in us being at least thirty minutes late. That became another joke—Stamm Time. People started telling us things started thirty minutes earlier than the actual time, so we would (maybe) be on time. It bothered me. But it didn’t used to. Not historically. Not the “molasses” me, at least.

Well, being here for what is now our third year has allowed me to reclaim those parts of my old self—the part that doesn't rush. I'm relearning how to take my time. Now, I genuinely don’t care whether we’re late or not. I've had my coffee to go maybe three times in two years. It doesn't make me angry when the person in front of me in line takes an extra minute to talk to the cashier (in fact, I enjoy trying to decipher their conversation). Yes, we should take our time and enjoy it because that’s the point, after all. Molasses is sweet.

This way of living also impacts our relationships, of course. How could it not? Our time together as a family is more deliberate, especially as Sebastian starts to take his own time—spending afternoons across the city with his friends, taking the metro or bus or Uber to one of the local malls, which are real malls, by the way, the way malls used to be in the U.S. before they started dying off. Our Sunday lunches with the Sousas go well into the afternoon, often nearing time for the next meal because we’re in no real hurry to do anything other than chat and play board games. And most important—the thing I really want to talk about here—is the time we spend with people who come to visit.

Even two years later, we still have multiple visitors each and every month, ranging from family who stay with us to friends we meet for amazing meals. And here’s the reality: when people come to visit us here in Portugal, almost all of those visits equate to quality time that far exceeds what we had before moving here.

While accessibility to friends and family was far easier living in proximity, we have literally spent five times the amount of time with people (in some cases more) during their week-long visits to Portugal than we did over the course of several years back in the States. While it’s painful at times not to be closer geographically, the tradeoff is that we get to spend meaningful time in ways we never did before. We get to know people better—their pasts, their food preferences, and the places they still want to go. We get to take our time together.

With the Silbermanns, for example, we typically saw them here and there in Colorado for dinners, piano recitals, or after-school events, but it was never enough time to really know them like we do now. During their visit, we enjoyed several meals together, watched the boys hang out and reconnect, and ultimately just relaxed—knowing that none of us had to hop in the car and drive ten miles to get home after dinner. If there’s one word for their visit, it’s relaxed. We got to slow down together. Be molasses.

Then came the Agnews, and for a night, the two families overlapped. I knew they’d get along. They’re both Midwestern families. Kelly and Jenn are both teachers. They share values and authenticity. I joked about potential Miami of Ohio versus Ball State MAC rivalries, but of course, none broke out. And once the Silbermanns headed home and we had the Agnews to ourselves, I realized how long it had been since I got to spend that much time with my cousin and her family. What struck me most was seeing the experience through their eyes. Just knowing how different this world must look compared to Indiana made me even more grateful for what we have here. And to share it.

Seeing your life through someone else’s eyes can be a big point of self-evaluation, and it made me realize that nothing will ever be the same again, that I’ll never view my life the same way. So many of the ideas I once took as matter-of-fact aren’t necessarily the case anymore. The “self-evident truths” might not be true after all. I like things I never thought I’d like. I miss things I never thought I’d miss.

Then there was Italy with Gerri—and her visit afterward to Lisbon. It was amazing to travel with her and see a place she had always wanted to see—Tuscany. That’s a special feeling, to share something like that with people you love. Italy was incredible with Sebastian, too. To see Rome through his eyes was even more powerful than my first trip there with Alli, which was pretty incredible in its own right. Standing in the Colosseum with him, watching how he soaked it all in, was special. And this time, the Colosseum felt different for me as well. As I stood at the edge of the arena floor and looked across to where dignitaries once sat, it was hard not to imagine what it was actually like. Hard not to fill in the blanks with my own imagination.

Italy is beautiful, and maybe they know how to live life better than anywhere I’ve been. There are defined moments for eating. The aperitivo is one of the greatest inventions of all time—the true happy hour—and the passeggiata might be even better, that time to stroll before or after aperitivo and soak in the golden hours of the Tuscan sky. They certainly own their time.

In Florence, it was all about the Renaissance. Something clicked differently this time. I was seeing it and thinking about how it formed—why it formed—and how the advent of the printing press helped drive the rapid expansion of information that fueled it. Now, with the potential for rapid intelligence expansion, we may be on the verge of a new Renaissance with AI. That framed my entire perspective while I was in Firenze. Then we brought Gerri back to Lisbon, where she had better weather and a more relaxed time than on her first visit. No zipping around, just enjoying the city at an easier pace. Again, taking our time.

And then came my mom’s first time in Europe. Another example of seeing things through someone else’s eyes, but hers focused on the little things: trips to the Portuguese grocery store (foreign groceries are always a highlight), a visit to Sebastian’s new campus (which is much further along and beautiful), and the ways we get around town (bus, metro, tram, trolley, Uber, all of it).

Normally, we get three, maybe four or five days with her whenever we see her, but this time we had a full week, and I was grateful to spend that time—selfishly—without anyone else. It was the first time she had been with Sebastian, just with him. They did fun things together like tile painting, and I also got some one-on-one time—walks through the park, coffee breaks at the quiosques, and quiet cafés where we chatted and watched the city go by. Most importantly, we enjoyed dinners together like a family in ways we haven't in a long time, and I think it was eye-opening for her to see how much our lives revolve around meals. Yes, meals are productions here, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. As I told her on the way to the airport, “Mom, I don’t remember the last time we spent this much time together.” And I was grateful for every minute of it.

Maybe that’s the lesson this summer kept trying to teach me: that when we take our time and share it, it can multiply. Whether it’s friends who used to live ten minutes away or family who flew ten hours across the Atlantic or the new friends we share this city with every weekend, what matters isn’t the miles, it’s the minutes we refuse to rush. Because taking your time is more than doing what you can to slow it down. Even more important, it's about owning that time and filling it with the people and things that bring you joy.

The Silbermanns Said:

Our visit had been in the making for two years. We WhatsApp’ed our hopes and dreams for our first trip to Portugal, and it all finally came together in July. Jenn and Alli planned all the things, while Steve and the boys kept asking, “What day are we going again?”

We landed on a sunny afternoon in Lisbon, greeted first by the loooong Customs line—and then, at last, reunited with the Stamms. From that moment on, we were swept into the most magical, wonderful, dreamy vacation you could ever ask for.

Was it magical because Alli and Chad made all the decisions, and Sebastian translated his heart out for us? Maybe. Likely. But also—it was Portugal.

Portugal, a place that honors time to sit and connect by placing quiosques wherever someone might feel thirsty. A place that's never in a hurry, because the days stretch long into the night. A place where good food is a given, and dessert is always a good idea.

Highlights from our trip to Portugal included a golden-hour sailboat cruise along the Tagus River, catching waves (and tumbling through sandy dunes!) at the wild Praia de Castelejo, and braving icy plunges into the Atlantic. One unforgettable night was spent in a centuries-old convent, perched next to ancient Roman ruins in the heart of Évora. Words fall short of capturing the magic of this journey — Portugal stole our hearts. It's a place we revisit often in our dreams, and one we can’t wait to return to.

The Agnews Said:

The Trip I Never Knew I Needed...

You are moving where?!? Two years ago, my pseudo-brother/cousin, Chad, told us they were going to live abroad in Portugal for a year or two. Of course, my first reaction was “You will be flying to Indy for the race, right?” To which, I got the disappointing answer no. Then, without missing a beat, every conversation over text or phone for the next two years with Chad was a different variation of when are you coming.

Luckily, my daughter Haley and her then-boyfriend Greg were able to take the heat off for a bit by not only visiting Chad, Alli, and Sebastian, but by getting engaged in Lisbon. Then, of course, the wedding planning bought me a little more time. However, when we Face Timed them from the actual wedding reception, Chad poured on the guilt of them missing family at important events like these, and the thought of going to see them began to take root. Six months later at their Indy 500 visit, Alli hit the purchase button on our Delta flights to make our trip to Portugal a reality. Sometimes you just need a little push. I had no idea how life-changing that tap on the key would be.

I am a beach girl. Always have been, always will be. The promise that I would experience a beach day in Portugal was given to ease my fear of Chad dragging me into every museum in the city. Even as we boarded the plane, I was excited about the adventure but still dragging my feet in the sand, so to speak. I thought I was making this trip for them. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Portugal changed my perspective on travel forever.

Getting out of the Uber to their quaint neighborhood was like being transported into a different way of life. Truly. Despite being in the middle of a thriving city of millions, the shade of the trees and the sound of peace and quiet made me feel like I was in a storybook. It was the cobblestone streets and the depth of intricacies built into the fabric of each layered apartment building that took my breath away first. (And I am not an architecture gal...) The fact that the structure of this city has looked this way for hundreds of years instantly made me think of history in a whole new way.

Chad, Alli and Seb knew that we would need some caffeination to enable us to make it through the day after our overnight flight with little sleep. Once again, I was blown away by Lisbon. Getting coffee is not just a boost of energy, it is a boost for your soul. I often wondered why people even bothered with a tiny teacup-sized espresso that you can drink in one gulp. I now know. It is an experience. When you sit down at a quiosque in Lisbon, it is a way of life. There is no rush. There is enjoyment and pleasure in taking small sips, whether you are with friends, loved ones, or by yourself. Every time we sat down, this was the rule, not the exception, to all those we were surrounded by.

In the spirit of David Letterman, a fellow Ball State University grad, to this travel party of three, here is our top ten memories of experiencing Lisbon:

1) 1.)  Experiencing Seb singing notes of fado that sent tears to my eyes knowing that the desire to hear him sing in person was what brought me to Portugal in the first place 

2) Walking on the cobblestoned paths, seeing hanging clothes that decorated the tops of the most beautiful apartment-lined streets

3) Smelling aromas that drifted from every little restaurant we passed

4) The beauty of the artistry and spirituality from the monastery

5) Visiting the fairytale castle view of where Haley and Greg were engaged

6) Unforgettable tastes from the sweetest pastry to the most simplistic bread and butter from the local market next door

7) A gelato challenge of epic proportions

8) Eating Portuguese delicacies just inches from the ocean with hundreds of steps awaiting our departure

9) Watching Neely and Seb on the bow as we sailed into the wind on a sunset cruise to celebrate another trip around the sun for Chad

10) Ending the adventure on the iconic yellow trolley

The eight days we were in Portugal with the Stamm’s made me see things differently. Although we may not be able to replicate all of our favorite experiences from Portugal, we did buy a set of cobblestone-inspired espresso cups to bring the slower pace of life home to Old Yorktown Road as a reminder of holding onto the important things in life.

She Said:

We ended our second year in Portugal by celebrating at the same restaurant we ate at on our very first night here. We reflected on our time here thus far and looked ahead at the year to come, each making a kind of wish list for what we’d like to accomplish and where we’d like to travel.

June brought another round of festas here in Lisbon, this city really knows how to celebrate the Saints! We balanced the festivities with plenty of beach days (which never fail as my happy place) and nights out with friends that are always filled with three versions of English and a lot of laughter and fun. And we hit the Nos Festival again this summer, where Seb was in pop music heaven, which included Noah Kahan, Benson Boone, and Olivia Rodrigo (Chad and I not so much, but I still had fun watching Seb jam out to his favs and kind of appreciated Benson)!

We also enjoyed another steady stream of visitors who all made the summer even more special. The Silbermanns’ visit was so much fun, we laughed a lot and truly just enjoyed the time spent together (we sure miss that family). We exhausted them with packed days of touring around Lisbon with homegrown walking tours, boat rides on the Tejo, and a beach day in Cascais before heading down to the Algarve. The beaches in the Algarve are the best. We kayaked through some beautiful caves and watched as the kids bodyboarded in some pretty awesome waves at one of our favorite, picturesque, secluded beaches. Chad and I had to head back to work, but Seb continued as the third brother in their family for one extra day in the Algarve and an overnight trip to Évora—so many great memories made during our week together.

Next, the Agnews joined us all the way from Indiana, and we could not be more excited for them to come. We had a few new local adventures with them, like finally exploring the famous Jerónimos Monastery cloisters (which we’ve never been patient enough to wait in line for, but waiting together and finally seeing the gorgeous architecture was SO worth it). We took a short pilgrimage out to see Cristo Rei up close and personal and enjoyed, you guessed it, panoramic views of Lisbon from the top. We braved some choppy water and high winds for a sunset boat ride and finally got a waterside table at Ponto Final to celebrate Chad’s birthday.

Our big trip of the summer was to Italy, where we were lucky enough to have my mom join us! We began in Rome with just the three of us, since she had already been, but we wanted Sebastian to experience this incredible city. In just a few days, we packed in a lot: a tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, countless self/Rick-guided walks across the city, tossing coins into the crowded Trevi Fountain, eating gelato on the Spanish Steps (which I was relieved we could still do, despite hearing that visitors were no longer allowed to linger there), and exploring Vatican City, where Sebastian proudly straddled the invisible border between Rome and Vatican City so he could stand in “two different countries” at once. It was pretty hot while we were there, but it didn’t matter one bit because we suppressed the heat with multiple rounds of gelato, which ended up setting the tone for the entire gelato-eating trip!

Of course, the best trips also come with some good stories. One Roman cab driver reminded us that Roma spelled backward is Amor, and insisted the city belongs to everyone who loves it—even its tourists. Then there were the two Canadian travelers who stumbled into St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican Square and asked where they were (yes, really). I may not be a history buff, but I’d like to think that walking into one of the world’s most sacred landmarks deserves at least a little situational awareness!

On our third day, we picked up Mom to begin the journey to Tuscany, one of her longtime bucket-list destinations. We started along the coast, then wound our way inland through the lush Tuscan hill towns and eventually finished the trip in Florence, with a side trip to Pisa, of course.

Our first stop was Santa Marinella, a seaside town just outside of Rome. We chose it as a gentle start, giving Mom a chance to rest off her jet lag while still enjoying the Italian coast. What a treat to be able to swim in the ocean without literally turning into ice cubes like we do here in Portugal!

From there, we headed to Volterra, one of our travel hero Rick Steves’ favorite Tuscan towns, and now one of mine too. This small town won me over instantly with its remarkable architecture, charming shops, delicious food, and authentic, local feel. One of my favorite things was a simple evening when Chad and I ducked into a small neighborhood bar. I found myself watching and listening as locals chatted all around us, conversations alive with energy and expression. As a communication specialist, I couldn’t help but marvel at how Italians speak with their whole being: hands, faces, voices, and hearts all working together to tell their stories.

Next up was Monteriggioni, where we stayed on a vineyard to try a bit of agrotourism. In theory, and in photos, it looked idyllic, though in reality it was a bit more rustic. Still, Chad and I enjoyed sampling some excellent Chianti wines, while Sebastian and Mom explored the vineyard and the not-so-lavish pool, happily helping themselves to grapes straight off the vine. The unexpected rain showers also brought a refreshing break from the summer heat, particularly due to the fact that there was no AC.

Our final stop was Florence, and as you’d expect, we hit the ground running in this city so unbelievably rich with history. We stood in awe before Michelangelo’s David, who, I’m happy to report, hasn’t shrunk a bit since we last saw him in 2006! We strolled across the Ponte Vecchio, browsing the many little stalls filled with trinkets and chachkas. We ate our fill of pasta, pizza, and (of course) gelato and even managed to get Mom a little tipsy on Aperol Spritz, oops.

On our last day, we took a day trip to see the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa. I’ve been there a few times before and have always resisted the classic “holding up the tower” photo. I still didn’t take that picture, but this time, as I stood there watching the crowd, I couldn’t help but smile. People from all over the world were laughing and posing, some with the traditional stance, others with wildly creative variations (use your imagination here with a very tall, narrow building standing proudly at an angle). It struck me how rare it is to see so many strangers united in joy over something so simple and silly. Even though I’d visited before, being there again felt almost like experiencing it for the first time

Mom did an amazing job keeping up with the classic Stamm travel style. Chad kept reassuring her that we’d be there “in just 10 minutes”, which, of course, was almost never true, but she rallied through the cobblestone streets, a few steep hills, and every form of public transportation we hopped on and off in the spirit of being economical.  

The theme of the trip? Pizza, pasta, gelato, vino… repeat. And, some really amazing QT. Enough said.

Gerri Said:

After tying up a few loose ends in Denver, I was off to Italy and Portugal for another adventure with the Stamms. My trip started with a 10.5-hour direct flight to Rome, and to my surprise, Jamie and Bill had upgraded me to business class! Definitely a “Pretty Woman” moment. I even had strict instructions from Seb to “take all the free stuff you get in business.” Big difference when you can recline your seat—I felt completely spoiled.

A common theme of this trip quickly emerged: me asking, “How much longer?” The answer, every single time? “Ten minutes.” Really??

The crew met me in Rome with a car, and we were off to Santa Marinella, a beach town just outside the city. They knew I’d need some sleep, so while I rested, they went to the beach. Next stop was Volterra, where we schlepped our bags over cobblestone streets to reach the Airbnb. Seb and I stayed behind for breakfast while Alli and Chad took the bags back to the car. And what does one eat for breakfast in Italy? Pizza, of course—when in Rome (or…Italy)!

Then it was on to the vineyard stay, where Seb happily snacked on grapes straight from the vine while Alli and Chad did a wine tasting. He and I played Uno while they sipped. No AC here, but a cool breeze and a little rain made it bearable. Dinner was fabulous.

From there, we drove to Florence (Firenze), and I decided the car rides went faster when we played “Ghost.” I am now the reigning champ—much to Seb’s frustration. Florence ended up being my favorite part: the art, the architecture, and my “friend” David (who leaves nothing to the imagination!). I also discovered my new favorite drink—Aperol Spritz. From a restaurant recommended by Stanley Tucci, to a Rick Steves gem, to a calzone bigger than Seb, the food was amazing. The only surprise was the bread, which wasn’t great. (Luckily, Portugal more than made up for that!) We also loved our Florence Airbnb.

We took a train to Pisa for a day trip. Of course, we had to see the Leaning Tower—and hold that sucker up! Then it was back to Florence to fly on to Lisbon. What a week! Chad did a great job as our surrogate Rick Steves, with Alli and Seb providing excellent backup.

Back in Lisbon, Seb took me to the oceanarium, which was amazing, and then we went out for Korean BBQ by the water, where you cook your food right at the table. Alli met us there, and afterward we did some back-to-school shopping (new sneakers, of course ). We also visited Seb’s school and made sure to get our fill of Pastéis de Nata.

The next day, we took the train to Cascais for a beach day and met up with some of their friends. Lovely town, even lovelier friends. We capped it all off with some special dinners, including a birthday celebration for me. And just like that, it was time to head home.

I can’t thank the Stamms enough for helping this ole lady manage all the walking, climbing, and cobblestones along the way. It was truly a fabulous trip, and we're already thinking about the next one!

Sebastian Said:

Our trip to Italy started way too early — a crack-of-dawn flight to Rome that left everyone half-asleep. By the time we landed, we were running on fumes, but somehow still decided to go exploring. The Pantheon was our first stop. My mom and I were like, “Cool, it’s an old building with a hole in the ceiling,” but my dad was having this deep, poetic moment about it.

Walking to Vatican City after that was surprisingly fun — it’s country #18 for me, and standing with one foot in Italy and one in another country felt kind of epic. By the time we got back to the hotel, we were so tired that even the stale-smoke smell in the room couldn’t stop us from passing out.

Dinner that night totally made up for it, though. We ate around 9pm — classic Italy — and the caprese and truffle pasta were unreal. We met a nice American family sitting next to us, which was funny because there were way more Americans in Rome than I expected.

The next morning started early again for a Colosseum tour. Seeing it in real life was actually crazy — all the history and ruins right in front of you. My dad could’ve stayed all day, but after lunch, me and my mom retreated to the hotel to watch Grey’s Anatomy while he went to see even more “old stuff.”

The next day, we picked up my grandma from the airport. She flew all the way from Colorado to join us for Tuscany and immediately handed me her business-class amenity kit, which was awesome. From there, we drove to Santa Marinella, a little beach town outside Rome. We dropped Grandma at the hotel for a nap and went straight to the beach — and the water was actually warm. Coming from Lisbon, where the ocean feels like Titanic-scene-level water (you basically lose feeling in your legs in five seconds), it was unreal being able to swim without turning into an ice cube.

That night we had dinner right on the water, and it felt like one of those perfect summer evenings. The next day, we headed north to Volterra and had dinner in this courtyard overlooking the Tuscan hills. It looked straight out of a movie. The following morning, we wandered around town before driving to another small village for lunch — which was less relaxing because there were about a million wasps buzzing around our food.

Our next stop was a vineyard in Monteriggioni called Lornano. It sounded fancy, but inside it felt like something from 1905 — no Wi-Fi, no air conditioning, just rustic “farm charm.”

By the time we reached Florence, everyone was ready for city life again. We dropped the car, grabbed incredible pizza, and then my dad convinced me to climb the Campanile tower — 473 steps. My legs were shaking, but the view was worth it. After that, we met up with Mom and Grandma for gelato and ended the night with Florentine steak (which was basically raw). The waiter kept doing shots with a table of American girls, and it was so funny to watch.

That night, I couldn’t sleep, so around 2 a.m. I woke my dad up, and we just walked around Florence. The whole city was empty and quiet — the Ponte Vecchio glowing over the river — easily one of the coolest moments of the trip.

The next morning, we went to see Michelangelo’s David (kind of boring, if I’m honest), then wandered through some gardens and had sandwiches at a famous spot. On our last day, we took a train to Pisa and laughed at everyone doing the classic “holding up the tower” pose. We had pizza one last time before heading back to Lisbon.

So great having grandma in Italy for another great trip and then back here in Portugal for my last week of freedom (before school started).

Speaking of grandmas, big shout out to Grandma Terry for coming all the way over across the pond to visit us. It was sooo fun taking you to my school, taking you to fado, playing Battleship, painting tiles, and showing you life in Portugal! I’m so glad you came and had a great time with you!

Terry Said:

I am not a worldwide traveler, having only traveled outside North America on either a cruise ship or by car as a child to Canada, but I decided it was time to go and make a long overdue trip to see Chad, Alli, Seb, and Cody in Portugal. I will say I was a bit anxious traveling alone and making transfers in unknown airports and going through customs and security, but I boarded my United flight from Atlanta, anticipating that I would somehow figure it all out. When I arrived in Lisbon some 10 hours 50 minutes later, I felt relieved to say the least. Chad was there and helped me maneuver through the Lisbon airport by text.

My week was filled with so much! Lisbon is a beautiful city, from the squares, the parks, the monuments, the restaurants, the beaches, the markets, the cathedrals, as you travel from one neighborhood of the city to another. Traveling by subway, trolley, bus, train, Uber, and walking was all new to me. I know I walked miles over those tile-laid sidewalks daily. I actually preferred the walking because you could stop and photograph things of interest and not just speed by to get somewhere. You could sample foods, coffees, wines, pastries. One of the most interesting things to me were the tiles around the city. Subway walls, buildings, sidewalks, doorways entrances, everything had tile. Beautiful tile that had been used to rebuild after the earthquake because it was less expensive than other building materials. Picturesque views from all over the city through the hilly neighborhoods overlooking the sea and more neighborhoods. 

One of the biggest highlights of my trip was getting to spend quality time with my family. It was really the first time I had ever gotten to spend time with Seb one on one. We enjoyed an afternoon of hand-painting tiles together. So much fun! I was able to visit his beautiful new school. We even enjoyed some board games. We went for walks and talked. Such a mature young man he has become, and he can communicate with the locals in Portuguese easily. I also enjoyed listening to Seb sing Fado music with the locals at a Fado restaurant. 

Chad is the Rick Steves of the family. He introduced me to all of the Portuguese history and was a great tour guide. Alli showed me around the local shopping places, from the grocery store to the fruit markets along the street. Both Chad and Alli speak Portuguese very well, too, but maybe Seb learning it at school has made him the most fluent. 

One of my favorite experiences was going to the Sporting soccer game. Loud explosive display of fun for sure. Next was the ginjinha shot sampling. Cherries fermented in brandy, a typical beverage of Lisbon. And lastly, the food was delicious. Sampled many Portuguese dishes including seafood, pork, duck, pastries, olives, breads. A favorite might be the pastel de nata, which is a crispy custard-filled pastry. 

And not to forget my furry friend Cody. He is now a city dog playing with his friends in the park. Loved that big furry guy!

What an enlightening trip to finally see where and what was happening in all of their lives. American by birth, but maybe Portuguese at heart right now. There is no way to diminish the effect the entire experience has had on their lives. And that is in a good way!

Love you all and thanks for making my trip so special.

Mom/Grandma Terry

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