Darcy's Paris Blog

Home from Portugal

Today was the work event for which I came to Portugal. Started off the morning pretty sick, which was really not fun, but at least it passed quickly. The work event was good, except that I had serious computer problems before my presentation, which always seems to be the case but is never fun. (Ended up being a problem with wireless, and I had to go into the BIOS to disable it...ick.)

Had an interesting conversation with the local guy on Portuguese national pride. Apparently they'd rather have someone present in English than have a Brazilian present in Portuguese. I guess they've had an influx of Brazilians lately, and they don't appreciate it, particularly how the Brazilians use a few different words than here. I mentioned to one of our local people here how I'd seen something in Portuguese at home, and she said, "No, it probably wasn't Portuguese, it wasn't Brazilian." I can't remember the whole context, but it struck me as odd. Spanish is still Spanish in Latin America or Spain, even if they have slightly different dialects. Same with English (despite what the Brits would probably say.) Interesting.

Cabbie was very young and friendly on the way to the airport. Everybody here has been really friendly! Must be that southern European sun they get down here (although it's been drizzly the past two days.)

I got into Paris too late to make French class, but I'm hoping this is the only class I'll miss. When I went to pay for parking for one night, I nearly died -- 47 euro! At home it would be less than 10 bucks. Crazy! I knew it was more expensive than home, but come on!

It was nice to come home to the apartment, though. I felt even more like a fish out of water in Portugal, knowing absolutely zero Portuguese. It's a little strange to think about coming "home" to this place, but it's starting to feel a little more personal to me now. I still can't think of it truly as home, though, since that feels like it implies I don't have my home in Austin...but I think I'm definitely starting to settle in more.

posted by Darcy @ 10:54 PM