We are off to five days in golf paradise tomorrow – very high end, spoiled rotten kind of thing. Mark’s in a meeting negotiating with our current landlord about coming back here to a larger apartment for a month or more while also finding about other holdings he has. We have the paperwork in for our NIFs, tax insurance cards so the government can track finances, which you need for virtually everything – bank account, utilities, long term phone contracts… We’ve been connected to a highly recommended facilitator of these things who also will translate for us when necessary. It is abundantly clear how out of our depth we are, lol, and a trustworthy representative is greatly appreciated. She has connected us to a real estate agent and he’s compiling a list of showings – finding a place here can take a bit because they go so quickly and the less you want to spend, the harder it is. By Portuguese standards we are spending plenty, by tourist standards we are mid range. We also have a dog but many people say no dog allowed although the law says they cannot do that – dogs are part of the family! Then you figure out if it’s a negotiating tactic or they truly hate dogs…all is a negotiation we are told and the old who you know. We were feeling pretty rushed so slowing things down and finding an interim place seems a really good plan for all this bargaining. Ahh, Mark has come to an agreement with Antonio so we have a place to live after next Tuesday. Yeehaw.
My latest brilliant gastronomic discovery is a marinated grilled chicken that I will eat everyday of my life if given the choice. Bloody ‘ell, ladies and gents, it is worth flying to Portugal for and a whole chicken (cut into pieces we aren’t too sure of) is 7.50 euros. Impressive on all counts. If an apartment comes open above that restaurant, we will be moving in. Apartments are the way people live here which is a huge adjustment for Mark but he seems open to it although the ones we’ve seen just feel too closed in at the end of dark hallways! We shall see if there are other choices.
Ivy Lore 
Ooooooo I’m eager to see the “golf paradise” you’re now visiting. I’m about to pull up a map of Portugal – so do let me know where you are. 🙂 I’m lovin’ your adventures. BTW, are people wearing maks over there? Are there any Covid restrictions?
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EVERYONE wears masks when close together, pretty amazing. Covid restricitions are social distancing, masks, that’s all we’ve seen now we are Portugal. Airport felt very serious, a bit nervewracking! We are at Oitavos Dunes and Quinta da Marinha with the ocean literally on both sides of us. Look for Guincho Beach on the map. It is more like high desert here but the trees are beautiful. I’ll get pictures. Spent today resting up, it’s been a crazy week, and then went for a long walk to see a neighbourhood we are looking at a condo in.
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