Afleveringen
-
Dear Listener, In this episode of the From Montana to Portugal Podcast I share highlights, tips, and hot takes after spending nearly 10 days being a tourist in central Portugal with my friend Maria who was visiting us from … where else but … Montana! We were so lucky to get to see her. I haven’t done a catch up podcast in a while, so you’ll also get the latest news on our residency and where things are at with us after we moved with our dog Loki to Portugal earlier this year. You can listen to this podcast on your favorite podcast app or right here on Substack. I’m now on Spotify as well! I leave you with a few more photos from beautiful Portugal. Hope you enjoy this one!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
In this episode, Janelle reads an essay about their trip to Braga for Doug's immigration appointment.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
In this episode, Janelle shares how she and Doug have been getting around Portugal, and what it's like to live without owning a car there.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
In this episode, I catch you up on how the last part of our move from Montana to Portugal happened. I crossed an ocean (twice), and once by ship with our dog Loki. Want to know more about the Queen Mary 2? This is a good episode to listen into about that. You can watch a YouTube video of the journey here: https://youtu.be/pXu-Ch9ynks?si=n59qyp5DVT9ZNuoY. You can also see a tour of our new home here: https://youtu.be/A3rbSmcNI1k?si=sX4DvmC7pIJ_Fn_p. You can support this podcast by becoming a paid subscriber (and get some great perks) by clicking here: https://janelleholden.substack.com
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Ever wonder what it would take to move your dog abroad with you? Listen in as I explain how we're getting Loki across the pond.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Dear Reader,
There’s an old New England joke that Doug likes to tell me. It goes like this.
From Montana to Portugal is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
A tourist pulls up to a Maine gas station, looking for directions.
An old, crusty Maine Down Easter (watch Bert and I to learn more) walks out of the building.
The man approaches the tourist’s fancy car and asks, “Can I help you?” The tourist gestures to the map on his lap and asks, “Can you tell me how to get to Bangor from here?”
The Mainer takes his time, lights his pipe, and then says …
“You can’t get there from here.”
Frustrated, the tourist looks at him in disbelief, gestures to the road in front of them, and says,
“Well, can you tell me where this road goes?”
The Mainer looks at him straight in the face and says with the perfect ironic accent,
“Don’t go nowhere, stays right here.”
I love that joke so much.
Once, when we lived in Livingston, Montana, a confused tourist stopped us to ask for directions to Yellowstone National Park while we were walking on the 9th street island. The 9th street island is in the middle of the Yellowstone River.
‘‘Can you tell me how to get to Yellowstone National Park from here?” she asked.
We paused. I looked at Doug. He looked at me. We were both so tempted.
So when I walked into the Maine tourism information center on Saturday, I was thinking about that joke, because I was about to ask for directions.
The two tourism counselors working the desk looked up with excited faces. I was the only one in the building. Someone to talk to!
“Can we help you?” the woman asked, wearing a gray fleece vest, and a warm smile.
“Well,” I said, “A friend (that would be Amy, from ) told me that I should walk the Marginal Way at Ogunquit. I’m looking for directions on where to start the walk?”
Oh boy, did that start a twenty-minute conversation! Out came the area fun map, a red Sharpie marker, a notepad, the computer, and an entirely new plan.
“GPS will not take you the right way,” the tourism counselor instructed me as she drew red arrows on the map. “So don’t use it. You’ll need to follow this map.”
She drew a path with a red sharpie on one side of the fun map to York, Maine, just south of Ogunquit, where she recommended we drive the seacoast north.
That’s when the other tourism counselor whipped out a magazine with a photo of the Nubble Lighthouse.
“You should stop here on your way,” he said, pointing down at the lighthouse. “Also, do you like something funny? You would really enjoy the piano bar in Ogunquit. Everyone sings along.”
By the time I got back to the car, I had a restaurant with gluten-free selections picked out for dinner, entertainment ideas, and directions.
Doug looked at me quizzically as I walked up, “That took a while. What happened?”
“I have a new map,” I said, handing him the fun map and a series of unintelligible directions written with the red sharpie on a piece of a paper.
“Guess what? You’re navigating!”
By the time he had deciphered the word “building” that I wrote in poor cursive we were already to the next step, “turn left at the stop sign.”
We followed Route 1 north until we reached York and turned onto the Shore Road, driving slowly to take in the historic houses, and get glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean.
“Stop!” Doug said when he saw a beach coming up. “I want to get out.”
I didn’t object (even though this technically wasn’t part of the plan - okay, my plan). I was thrilled to see the ocean again, and it wasn’t lost on me that we would be crossing this ocean soon to get to Portugal.
So I pulled over to park at Long Sands Beach in York, and we hopped out. Not many people.
The beauty of traveling off-season to a popular place is that even on a warmish day for November standards, even on a Saturday afternoon, you don’t have to worry about crowds.
You just have to remember to take it all in.
We walked the beach from end to end, about 2.5 miles in total, marveling at the waves, the dogs on the beach catching balls thrown high in the air by their owners, and the beauty of the sand.
By the time we finished, I wasn’t sure we’d have time to walk the Marginal Way before the sunset (we didn’t), but I was determined to see the Nubble Light.
“Just don’t ask me to climb to the top,” Doug said. “I don’t think I have it in me after that hike yesterday.”
“I won’t,” I promised, but not really meaning the promise. Of course we were climbing out to the top!
We drove out to the edge of the coast where the lighthouse was perched on a “nub” of land (hence the name), and walked from our car to the edge of the parking lot, where I thought there was going to be a walkway or something that would bring us to the lighthouse proper to explore.
Nope.
We stared in amusement at the small bit of ocean that separated us from the lighthouse, and took turns taking photographs.
Finally, I turned to Doug and said, “Well, turns out you CAN’T get there from here!” Let’s hope we can get to Portugal from here.
Love, Janelle
P.S. Many thanks to Amy for recommending the Ogunquit Marginal Way. Even though we actually ran out of daylight, and went for lobster stew instead, it ended up being a marvelous day in Maine because she mentioned going there! Thank you Amy!
P.P.S. If you want to hear some more classic New England jokes, listen to the audio recording of this article. You can listen to it right in the newsletter, or go to your favorite podcast app to subscribe. Please do!
From Montana to Portugal is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle shares the latest news from their move to Portugal, from where they are now - in New Hampshire. To subscribe to Janelle's newsletter and support this podcast go to: https://janelleholden.substack.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle shares more about what happened when she caught Covid on their travels, and reflects on what's ahead on their journey to Portugal. You can subscribe at: https://janelleholden.substack.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as I interview Kayb Joseph, who moved from Chattanooga, Tennessee to New Zealand with her husband and two children in 2022. Kayb is a dear friend of over 25 years, a renowned artist and teacher, and she holds a masters degree in intercultural studies. She has lived in China, and traveled extensively around the world. You can learn more about Kayb here: https://kaybjoseph.com/
Resources for intercultural learning that Kayb shared in our episode together: 1. Hofstede Insights Country Comparison Tool: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool2. The Dance of Life: The Other Dimension of Time by Edward T. Hall3. The Art of Crossing Cultures by Craig Storti
You can subscribe to Janelle Holden's Substack at: https://janelleholden.substack.com for additional essays and commentary.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
In this episode, you'll meet Montana poet Susannah Cragwick and her husband, Samuel and hear their unique love story. Susannah and Samuel were married in May of 2023 in Finland where they both now reside. Samuel is from Finland. Listen in as they share words of wisdom navigating cultural differences and language differences and still sharing love. You can find Susannah's poetry on Substack @: https://susannahcragwick.substack.com. As a bonus, Susannah also shared a few tips for European expats that weren't in the episode. I've copied them below for you. Thank you Susannah! "Bring a set of measuring cups with you that use the Imperial system. That way you can make your favorite recipes without feeling stressed about converting measurements. I have both types of measuring cups. It's been great allowing myself those options. In Finland and maybe other parts of Europe, standard paper sizes, folder sizes, and hole punches are different from the US. For instance, the papers Samuel printed out for me here are a little too tall for my American folders. Our hole punch is with 2 holes and not 3. Again, I don't know about Portugal, but in Finland, according to Samuel, Sharpies and legal pads are not easy to find. So, when he visited the US, he was piling up on those things."Thank you for listening! If you'd like more of my work, please consider subscribing to my writing on Substack where you'll receive original essays: https://janelleholden.substack.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle reads her latest essay on Substack about moving to Portugal. You can subscribe to her substack by clicking here: https://janelleholden.substack.com. There are free and paid options. Thank you for your support.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle interviews Lisbon-based Portuguese editor, writer, and teacher Marta Cancela. Marta shares so many interesting and valuable tidbits about Portuguese life, culture, and language that you'll love. If you like what Marta has to say and want more lessons from her, there will be more to come! Come over and subscribe at Substack at: https://janelleholden.substack.com to get updates on upcoming educational projects with Marta on Portuguese Language and Culture.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle reads her latest essay on what it's like to have house showings while you live in the house. You can subscribe to her substack at: https://janelleholden.substack.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
In this episode, Janelle interviews Frank Moore, who lives in California. Listen in as Frank shares about his wife's Portugal connection through Macau and how he started learning about the country and what he loves about it.
You'll also find out: * Why you can't find Portuguese wines in American stores very easily
* How Frank applied for a Golden Visa and where he purchased property in Portugal
* Which company helped Frank apply for his Golden Visa and why he loves working with them
* Why investing in Portugal could be a good Plan B
* Wine tours in Portugal with https://www.fortheloveofport.com/ in the Alto Douro Wine Region: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1046/
* What the Alentejo is really like (and why it's so special)
* How to say Sagres like a Portuguese (and you can watch this video about Sagres as well)Other resources Frank wanted to share:
* Turquel is where he picked up his wine. Alcobaca is close.
"20 Beautiful Places to Visit in Portugal -- From Fairy-tale Castles to Charming Beach Towns"
If you'd like to subscribe to Janelle's Substack, From Montana to Portugal, and receive weekly essays in addition to fresh podcast interviews, then click here. You can become a free or paid subscriber and receive invitations to Portuguese culture lessons and get access to a new, free email course Janelle is creating for would-be American immigrants to Portugal. Click here to subscribe!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle interviews Carol Wilcox, the author of the popular Substack newsletter, Our Portugal Journey on how she and her husband moved from Arizona to Portugal and what it's been like ever since. You can find Carol's substack at: https://www.ourportugaljourney.com/
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
In this episode you'll meet Stephanie Wasylysk a business coach and friend who lived for 3.5 years in Australia and moved to Quebec with her family even though French is not her first language. Stephanie is a business coach who helps business owners who defy convention do business on their own terms (and succeed at it). After listening to this you'll throw out your guidebook and travel and live your own way! Mentions in this episode: The song "Little Boxes" The book Tracks by Robyn DavidsonA Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky ChambersComplimentary Coaching Call with Stephanie (no strings attached): https://giftcoaching.youcanbook.me/Stephanie's website: https://stephaniewasylyk.com/coaching/
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Steve Danzey shares his story about his move to Portugal with his husband David. We talk about what they brought, food, religion in Portugal, and being a same sex couple in a new land. Steve shares a lot of wisdom in this podcast including book recommendations. You can find his substack, Letters from Lisbon at: https://stevedanzey.substack.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle shares advice from friends whose family members are in the foreign service on how they navigate life abroad, and an update on the house selling process.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe -
Listen in as Janelle interviews expat coach, Deb Dahab, and learn what some of the biggest mistakes people make when they move abroad, and how to avoid them!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janelleholden.substack.com/subscribe - Laat meer zien
