Resolved: 141 Days of Uncertainty

Do you personally know anyone who has immigrated to the United States? Or has “Dreamer” status? As you read my lament/celebration below, be aware that their process was certainly much longer, more complicated, and much more expensive. I am humbled by anyone who has immigrated to another country. They have courage, fortitude, and perseverance far beyond my own.

First, some street art in our town of Alcobaça:

Our immigration story in brief:

After 141 agonizing days of waiting, we received temporary residential visas – just a few days before our flight back to Portugal on January 24. Apparently my application was approved in October (!), but I was never notified. Tim’s application languished somewhere in Portugal’s over-worked immigration services until a kind employee at the Portuguese Consulate looked into his application status. The very next day his application was approved. Coincidence?

Our celebration was short-lived when we realized that I might have missed the 90 day window to re-enter Portugal on my new residential visa. More agonizing waiting. Then on January 19 we received our passports back from the Consulate with visa stamps inside and immediately checked the validity start date: January 18. Whew!

Umbrella Sky Project in Agueda. One more reason to hurry home.

For 3 months we have been living out of our carry-on bags, visiting friends and family who have been generous and kind. But endless vacation is not my preferred lifestyle.

On Wednesday, 25 of January, we will step back into our home a few minutes from UNESCO World Heritage town of Alcobaça. We have been paying rent and utilities since August. Now we can return to enjoy our home, garden, views, neighbors, and the beauty and peace of Portugal, many within minutes of our home. Our future blogs will focus on more interesting experiences in Portugal.

I love the street art in Portugal, especially those created with trash such as these by Artur Bordalo, known as Bordalo II:

Our immigration process will continue for next 5 to 6 years to maintain our legal residency, after which we can qualify for Portuguese citizenship without losing our US citizenship – if we want. TBD.

Connecting with Friends

We want to stay in touch with our friends. Because we are canceling our Verizon phone numbers, we are relying on Skype, WhatsApp, Messenger, and old-fashioned email. Reply here if you want our Skype or WhatsApp contact numbers. All are free.