Having Fun, Enjoying Life, Learning New Apps and Skills

I am a life learner, and I believe that nothing helps us grow in knowledge and compassion as traveling to a country where we do not speak the language and everything seems different from home. My husband and I forgot to add international roaming to our phones, so when I tried to pay our bills from here, I could not access the card web sites because I can’t receive a code for authentication. I tried calling Chase Bank through WhatsApp but that didn’t work. I then found a page on the website that suggested I send a message through Instagram.

I chatted with someone in Instagram message forum who informed me that I couldn’t receive a code unless they can talk to me. They suggested an internet calling app, or a eSim card, which I had never heard of. But, I finally obtained the Yolla app, which allows me to use the telephone number from my Portugal SIM card to call the USA. I was successful in obtaining a code and paid our bills. It was important because that’s the card we are using here for meals, groceries, train and bus rides, and other essentials. So, I am learning that sometimes we have to find ourselves in unusual circumstances to learn new things. I wish I had known about Yolla while in Braga, but, low and behold, WhatsApp allows me to talk with my daughter.

I have to relate a story for you. I learned how to distinguish between a true massage place and a not-the-kind-of-massage I want place. Right across the street from us is a business called Massage Lust. Because the nearly 8-hour bus ride from Braga to Albufeira had my back in spasm, I wanted to get a massage, and I thought that I would just walk over there. Thankfully, I didn’t. I went to their website, and one look at the photos was enough to know it wasn’t the kind of massage I wanted. I don’t think I was on the website for more than 10 seconds. I was appalled that this business is below apartments with children in them. When I saw a man walk up and look both ways to see if the coast is clear, I knew it was not a place for me.

But I found a Thai massage place within a 12-minutes walk, albeit uphill, and boy was it the best hour of the trip! I have to go back before we move to another city next Sunday. So, you learn quickly how to maneuver in a foreign country. You also discover that some things are trivial and to just let go. For example, there must be 100 ways to flush toilets and turn on lights here. I just keep pushing buttons and levers until something happens.

Here are some pictures from our tour of the Western Algarve: Faro, Olhao, and Tavira. We had a long ten-hour day on this tour. And my dear husband still managed a 22,222 steps day on his own the next day! The guy in the red shirt is Mario, our tour guide, who was quite a character but so knowledgeable about the history of the Algarve. I am getting better at the pictures, but need more learning.