The Portuguese

We've been here just over two months. And in two months I've gained some insight into this culture. Into these people. Into the way they do things. Here are some facts which now appear to be true about the people and culture of these people. Obviously they are stereotypes. And I might look back a year from now and realize I "got it" wrong. But as of today, this is how the culture looks to me.

• They are passionate. Incredibly. They will self-describe themselves as pretty-darn-close-to-the-Italians. I cannot tell you how many times I observe two men having a conversation. It appears to me that they are arguing. That someone is going to start throwing fists. Only to see them hug and slap each other's back a few minutes later. I watched our Portuguese friend Julie chew out her granddaughter and brothers only to be laughing with them a few minutes later.
• The women are incredibly big busted. Sorry. Not sure how else to say it. The norm is a large bust. And a bust that is not usually properly supported. Many times the ginormousness of it leaves you almost speechless. 
• There is more obesity here than there was in Turkey for sure. I haven't been back in the USA in too many years to say how it compares to the USA. In general though, the diet here seems very rich in potatos and meat and beans, and the people seem to have a much higher incidence of obesity. Although when I looked up rates by country on this website it appears that Turkey and Portugal are very similar, and the USA leaves them both in the dust. Maybe that's because in Turkey people wore a lot more clothes than they do here.
• Clothing choices are very tourist-town like. I don't see all-out slutty attire, but you can wear whatever you want whenever you want. There really aren't any dress-code rules.
• Body image seems to be very healthy here. People do not seem shy about their bodies. At the beach you will see people of all shapes and sizes in bikinis. And they don't seem to care. And they obviously haven't had plastic surgery.
• Children are loved quite a lot here -- almost similar to Turkey. I'm not sure if it is babies or girls but Abigail definitely gets more attention. My friend Jenn, who also has a one-year-old daughter, just got back from a trip to the USA where she said she could tell her daughter felt ignored when they went out. As if to say, "Hey, where's all that attention that I get so frequently back on the island?" Here, everywhere we go, Abigail gets way more attention then she wants. 
• Bull ... are ... awesome. At least that's how the Portuguese think about it. Nearly everything they do involves bulls. We have been here two months and have been to four events already involving bulls. Our friends Carlos and Julie (Carlos does our lawn and Julie babysits) had us over to watch a bull fight from the safety of their porch. Julie's cousin Hite (our housekeeper) had us over last night to watch a different fight. It's their major social event.
• Things start late! And I mean very late. For example, they are having a children's parade on Thursday. And it starts at 9:30pm! Shaggy (the singer) is coming to the island to perform during Praia fest (a big festival held in one of the towns). He is starting his concert at one in the morning.
• Food is for the taking. I can't tell you how many times you see people looking for seafood amongst the volcanic rocks that make up this island. People are constantly collecting items to eat or cook with or give to their animals. Limpets and crab are for the taking. In addition, you can go out and snorkelf or seafood anytime you want and anywhere you want. JB is really hoping to take up spear fishing.
• Drivers aren't cautious. Forget me being on the side of the road with three little kids. Why slow down? I feel that the Portuguese are overly confident in their ability to navigate. They feel in control. Even on the very narrow roads and the very tight parking lots.
• Friendly. Most Portuguese seem eagerto make friends with Americans and include them in their social circles. Already it seems that most of our social calendar will be filled with our Portuguese and Americans alike.
• Being outside is preferrable. When the weather is good, people are going to eat outside. The beach will be covered with Portuguese bodies when it's nice outside.
• Driers are unnecessary. Hanging clothes is the way to go. I've been doing it 100%. For one because our dryer hasn't been working well. And for two, it's a way to save money.
• The gas man comes quick. When we don't have hot water, we call a number, and a man shows up at our house. He has a truck. He takes away our two gas tanks and gives us two new ones, and we pay him in Euros right on the spot.
• Dogs are the best security. Nearly everyone has a dog. They have warning signs outside their houses. They are used to keep the bad guys out. Lately there has been some petty theft on the island -- mostly of Americans' homes. I hear they have sprayed the dogs with something to help them fall asleep.
• The front door is the gate. I still can't figure out how this works. In order for someone to knock on our door, they have to come in through our front gate. So what is the front door? I often see people wandering around our driveway. Good thign for them Scrubby barks when they are outside but just licks them to pieces when they come inside.
• Peanut butter is expensive. And I mean very expensive. Hita and Julie have both asked me to pick up a big jar of peanut butter at the store. And we are allowed to do that here. (In Turkey, we weren't allowed to buy any products for the Turks -- it was against the law.) I can see why they ask me. A tiny jar of peanut butter (and by tiny I mean -- like two pieces of toast worth) is about $4USD, while I can buy a huge jar for $5USD. Otherwise, their grocery store looks pretty similar to our grocery stores. You can't read the labels, but you can find most anything you need.
• Soccer is the most popular sport -- other than bull fighting of course.
• Wealth varries. You can see a lot of huge houses and a lot of very modest homes.
• A lot of people speak English. While I hope to learn Portuguese, I barely feel that I need it.