We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase something using my link, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

That’s a question that some have asked me…and there’s no one answer, but I’ll try! Our earth is full of such beauty, that for me, will take forever to explore properly. I look forward to it, for sure.…but honestly, I’m no longer a young woman and I know I have some limitations. Like… I have “perfect” vision except for the tiny print, so I wear glasses on my head, on my nose, in my car, purse, dresser, coffee table…you get the idea. I used to march MILES & spend HOURS in the car shuffling teenagers around, but I look forward to a glass of wine in my yard with Mr. D, with shrimp sizzling on the grill, & a short walk to the air conditioning and my comfy chair.

A SLOWER pace isn’t just about my limitations, it’s about my mindset just as much! So when I really thought about my travel to Europe, I didn’t want to rush from place to place seeing monuments & attractions, but wanted to really ENJOY the whole experience. Portugal is PERFECT for that with over 1000 miles of gorgeous coastline and the westernmost point of mainland Europe at Cabo da Roça, near Sintra & Pena Palace. I wasn’t going to have ENOUGH time to explore ALL of Portugal, but I knew Lisbon would be a great start!

Sherley is a truly European woman, well-traveled, & speaks many languages, with her heart in the London she loves, but she ADORES Portugal. Why?? She speaks of “SAUDADE”…a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing…a recollection of feelings, experiences, places, people, or events that brought excitement, pleasure, well-being, which now triggers the senses and makes one LIVE again. WOW! Like blues music, or the sound of a sad saxophone, how I feel about Memphis… that’s what I thought! She tried to really get the point across, but somehow, I knew I had to experience it to know for myself.

When I stood on the polished marble stone streets and walks of Lisbon, I took several deep breaths…the salt in the air, the bustle of daily life, the history, colors, and food…they were all floating into my consciousness. I was excited to look down every street, listen to every sound, and of course SMELL & TASTE all that I could. Sherley wisely guided me for a few photo opportunities to the tourist’s point of interests, places that she almost took for granted as a resident long ago, but is now eager to share the deeper appreciation with friends and family. Hmmm, was this the beginning of a “saudade” moment for me, perhaps???

The older I get, I understand more how you can live with beauty & wonder right next to you, but not REALLY see or enjoy it because of our busy lives. We tend to LIVE for tomorrow, the weekend, vacation, because we promise ourselves that THEN we’ll REALLY take the time to appreciate, rest, taste, smell, and visit each other. I have a few bird feeders near our windows in Charleston, but one special feeder is attached to the window…it’s the smallest, and holds just a bit of juicy sunflower seeds, & the birdies who enjoy it make loud “knocking” sounds on it when they are breaking open the seeds. To many friends and young-ins to our home it may seem like a nuisance to listen to “knocking” at the window when the birdies are active, but to me, it’s a call to me to slow down and take notice of the wonders of life. Some days are so busy that I don’t even look out the windows until the birdies are “knocking”, but then I’m reminded to be in the moment! I know you know what I mean….

It was tough to catch the birdies at the right time to show you what I mean by their “knocking”, and I always enjoy seeing one of my favorite chickadees showing up for a nibble. Chickadees have a special meaning for me, all because of our sweet first baby granddaughter Avalynn Rose. More about THAT ride soon!

Let’s stop for a bite to eat in Lisbon first & a bit of relaxation!