Posts

Benches

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So many benches here and they get much use. Maybe it's because of the, mostly, nice weather, maybe because people walk here a lot, anyway that's my impression.  There are benches with a nice view, benches in the shade, benches in the sun, benches near artwork, near churches and in parks, so almost everywhere.  Stay happy, healthy and optimistic and take a seat every once in a while.

Cycling

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More or less by chance we saw that a cycling race was going to take place near where we live now, so why not, put on our walking shoes and hit the road. It turned out to be an individual time trial that was part of a multi-day race. Quite nice to see, especially when the sun shines and provides pleasantly warm weather. Supporters came from different countries but the enthusiasm was universal. Maybe it's true that sports unite! Stay happy, healthy and optimistic! We all need it!

The market

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While exploring our new surroundings we happened upon the market. Lots of textiles and souvenirs, little food, vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and so on. But despite or because of the warm weather, it is still nice to walk through the market. It sounds like there are many English speakers, few Portuguese. Many elderly people, few young people, but that fits in with this "hibernation" time. Stay safe, healthy and optimistic!

(Not) a painting.

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Is it me, is it the bright sun that I am not used to, the new surroundings, my state of mind, I don't know or maybe I should say I don't know yet. Who knows what insights are yet to come? I don't know why, but I think this photo looks like a painting. One of those paintings that you used to see a lot when a landscape painter was still a job. Maybe I should have made a frame for it, but it's not a painting, it's a photo. Therefore no list. I am happy that I can live here for a few months, perhaps I was only able to take this photo, or especially because my eyes still experience many things here as new. Stay happy, healthy and optimistic, the world needs it.

Reading newspaper

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How long has it been since I saw someone outside reading their newspaper? Actually, it is always men who read the newspaper outside and often older men. Is that because of the way I look at things or is it that there are simply few women who read newspapers in public. Of course it is also due to the weather. Here in sunny countries there is of course a greater chance that someone will read outside. What may also play a role is that tourists are not yet there in large numbers. It is still too cold for them, or they are bound to the fixed summer months due to the schedule of their learning children. But that means there is now a lot of space left here that is being used by the men reading. As temperatures rise, along with tourist numbers, they will become less and less visible. They retreat to their homes to take their place again as temperatures drop and the number of tourists adjusts.  And keep reading if it's on your phone, tablet or laptop or even a book Stay optimistic, the worl

The escalator.

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Perhaps it is true that when you enter a new environment, ordinary everyday things take on something special.  Also things you already know from previous environments.  The same goes for this escalator.  Of course I know of an escalator although they are usually indoors and this one is outdoors. Could that be why this one requires my attention?  I really have no idea, but for me it remains an interesting object to photograph for now. Stay happy, healthy and optimistic the world needs it!

Our new environment

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Here is were we going to stay for a couple of months. The first month has just come to an end. It's a sunny country again and it's not the same as the other sunny country we visited before. Language is still a problem for us over here, but luckily English is almost known everywhere, even if it just a little bit, and also here. There are many Englishmen here, it seems like they run away from their country and stay here for ever or just like we for a couple of months. If I look at the weather report I see at least one good reason to do so. All is new to us so it might be a good start to explore our new to us neighborhood and of course take a camera. This friendly guy wanted to sell us some beers, but I'm not a morning drinker of alcohol. Stay happy, healthy and above all optimistic! The world still needs that, also in 2024!