Human Kindness is Overflowing

We experienced many kindnesses during the first week in our new home in central Portugal. The one-hour walk to shops and services has made us keenly interested in getting a car. Even the nearest bus route is a 45-minute walk away. That probably defines our house as “in the country” by European standards.

Our first morning here I asked our landlady and neighbor, Dona Luisa, how to call a taxi to take us to the huge used car lot 30 minutes away in another town. Luisa insisted that we take her car for all our startup needs – all day!

As an afterthought, she asked, “You do know how to drive, right?”

Later that evening her son, Carlos, brought us dinner from their family barbeque. Delicious!

Francisco, Rita, and Laura help us adjust

Luisa’s daughter Rita and her family came over the next day to show us how to use the washing machine. So many icons! So many choices!

On our third day we held umbrellas in the rain walking the hour to town to arrange phone service and get Tim’s bank card. Another neighbor, Miguel, waved the usual “Bom dia” from his front porch.Ten minutes later his car pulled alongside us. “I will take you” to all errands then back home.

In the afternoon Miguel brought a delicious pot of soup from his wife Alexandra. And on the fourth day Miguel presented us with produce from his garden: tomatoes, strawberries, sweet peppers, and a beautiful beet.

Digging in the dirt to prepare our own garden plot made us feel right at home. Again, Miguel had brought us a hoe, rake, and weeder. “Anything you want, just let me know. Anything at all!” he insisted.

Our fifth day we were in the center of Alcobaça waiting for a taxi. Four different people approached us offering to help in any way we might need. They must have recognized our slightly dazed looks of newbies.

So many small kindnesses in one week have given us a big welcome to this country of lovely people. We hope to offer kindness in return. Meanwhile, we have managed to give flowers to Luisa and specialty chocolates to Miguel. We intend to be good neighbors.

Yesterday we finally collected the used car we had selected a week ago, a typical wait time here in Portugal. It was presented to us with a dramatic tah-dah! fancy bow. We gently gave the bow back to the salesman. Not quite our style.

Today Tim learned how to navigate the gas pump from another driver who was filling her tank. She cheerfully walked him through the steps.

Our Seat (say-at) Ateca is larger than most European cars, allowing head room for taller persons. It has a VW engine and is made in Spain. We anticipate escorting our visiting friends to medieval walled cities, dramatic beaches, family restaurants, wine tours, and UNESCO heritage sites.

Your car is waiting for you.

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