We are leaving Lisbon.
It’s been six months since we moved to Lisbon, and it’s been a joy. There is so much to do and see here. We have met so many new friends we hope to keep forever. But, as it would be, we found ourselves each weekend returning to the ocean. We felt like we could breathe better, and felt more at ease whenever we are there. After much debate, we decided we are by no means bound to any one area. So, we decided to make yet another leap.
Most weekends we migrate an hour and a half north to a little fishing village/surf destination called Nazaré. It is a quaint little town, brimming over with history, and monstrous waves. Currently, it holds the Guinness book of world records of largest wave ever surfed- 115 feet! The ocean is in charge and highly revered in Nazaré; a thrilling energy in this sleepy town.
We started visiting this village in the winter, when the waves are the most dramatic. Hundreds of feet from the shoreline, you can hear the waves dancing upon the beach. Even though it is entirely too cold and dangerous to enter the water in the winter (aside from the professional surfers), it is sight to behold.
After many weekends in Nazaré; exploring the area and meeting the locals, we decided to make Nazarê our next big adventure. Last week we signed a lease to a villa, just a one minute walk to the shore. Not to mention, my parents moved to Portugal a month ago, and will only be a half mile walk from our front door.
Nazaré is magical. The beach front is lined with women selling sun dried fish, stretched out on weather beaten wooden stretchers. It would seem everyone in Nazaré owns a dog, and they wander freely along the beach, holding tennis balls in their mouths begging their owners to throw it down the vast stretches of white sand. English is spoken even less here than Lisbon, which is a good kick in the pants to be more intentional in becoming fluent in Portuguese.
Once a year, there is a surf competition which draws in surfers from all over the globe to come and try to catch the next 100 foot wave. There is a fascinating Emmy award winning documentary show about Nazaré surfing on HBOmax called “100 Foot Wave”. I highly recommend watching.
This little town is tinier than any place we have ever lived, and it will be a big change for us. We are looking forward to experiencing and enjoying the laid back beach lifestyle, and being a part of the community. The date we will be leaving Lisbon is still to be determined, due to logistics. But it will happen in the next few weeks.
Maybe this expansive, wild ocean will be the muse of a novel I want to write. Only time will tell.
In other news, I have made a few changes around here on this blog. You may have noticed, I changed the name Mandy in Lisbon to Mandy in Portugal, as it seems more appropriate given the change in location. Additionally, I have updated my shop with new items which you can shop in the US or the EU. Also, I added a book club! I would love your feedback or suggestions on these new updates. Come talk to me over on Instagram, or you can send me an email.
On to new adventures.
xo Mandy in Portugal
New In The Shop
