Our little neighborhood (o nosso bairro) is very pretty with lots of gardens, some a bit overgrown, and many behind private walls. The street trees will be blossoming in a few weeks. Two kinds of parakeets fly around. We’ve seen them on the tree outside our window and we’ve seen flocks in the beautiful public park nearby.
Our nearby park is called Quinta Real (royal farm or royal estate) and it was designed for royalty a couple centuries ago. It’s on the other side of the brook, just a couple blocks walk. It’s full of singing birds and wildflowers, with remnants of orchards and lots of boxwood hedges. It seems to be managed for a bit of wildness but kept under control. At our arrival at the end of February, spring flowers are in full bloom. Many public parks have flowers growing profusely already and gardeners tend them frequently.
It’s really fun being a 5-minute walk from the beach too. We went wading in the surf today. The water seems as warm as Massachusetts ocean gets in August. The weather started out in the low 60s at the end of Feb, now heading to the upper 60s. It was foggy on the water today. In February, it often rains for a short time in the afternoon.
We are a block from a small business area with a mini-market that has fresh produce, three bakeries, a news stand with art supplies and textiles, an excellent fish market/restaurant, hardware store, flower shop, and laundry. All the essentials!
We love it! Looks beautiful and inviting (reminds us of California in many ways but cleaner and more relaxed than our LA!). Also, love the beagle at the end!
For city living, it definitely feels clean and fresh. The breeze, often very strong, freshens the air and counteracts the very strong sun. There’s a lot less humidity than New England. Ben is the apartment building’s resident dog – lives on the ground floor. Another dog across the street triggers a chorus of barking each evening as the local dogs reach out to each other.
I love this video and the pics!!
Well, Pam, looks like you and David the right call — vis-à-vis our conversation of 2020. My hat’s off to you. So nice to get reports from you in your new surroundings. Blessings.