Are you the people moving to Paraguay?

In this edition ... we answer questions about all the countries that begin with P., get haircuts, and sell all of our stuff in one day.

Dear Reader,

At about 6:30 last night, after our epic day-long moving sale had concluded, a cherry red pickup with one driver pulled into our back alley.

“You know who it is,” I told Doug later. “It’s the guy with the Doberman Pinscher who never walks her on a leash.”

“Oh yeah,” he said. “We’ve seen him a few times.”

“Yes,” I said. “Loki (our dog) and her had a bit of a tussle once. He married my old gymnastics teacher Diane a few years ago.”

Listen, dear reader, I haven’t done a somersault in approximately 33 years, but I almost doubled over in laughter inside when the man yelled from his truck at me, “Hey! Are you guys the ones moving to Paraguay?”

I walked over to his truck and said, “Portugal. We’re the ones moving to Portugal.”

“Oh yeah, right,” he said. “I heard that down at the landfill this morning (the biggest gossip hub in town). I wasn’t able to get to your moving sale today. You got anything left?”

I gestured to our van, which we were loading up with the remnants of the sale to take to Goodwill the next day.

“Well,” I said. “Not much. I’ve got a desk inside, a few pieces of art, and just some bits and bobs that we’re taking to Goodwill tomorrow.’’

He nodded, seeming genuinely pained that he had missed out on all of our good deals.

“Too bad I heard about it too late. So, what are you going to do in Portugal?”

Now this question, when culturally unpacked for rural Montana, means, “Are you studying there? Do you have a job? What is the reason behind the move? Do you have a purpose for going there?” but people roll it all into one by asking “what are you going to do there?”

Even I get confused and often want to answer the question as it is asked.

I want to say, “You know .. live, work, explore, eat new food, meet new people, learn a new language, understand a different culture,” but I don’t say that.

Instead, I shrug and say, “Doug is retired. I work online. We’re getting a two-year visa, and we’re going to live and work over there.”

“Oh, okay,” he said, “Why Portugal?”

Sigh.

I might as well be answering, “Why Paraguay?”

It’s a popular question, and one I had spent the day briefly answering as people shopped at our moving sale, genuinely curious about where it was we were going.

I give him, and everyone else, an answer that they can understand, but really doesn’t capture the full reason why. It’s one an American can wrap their minds around, that mentions something about better weather but honestly, it’s not the answer that I would give a Portuguese citizen.

I would tell a Portuguese citizen I’m going there because Portugal is beautiful, that it has a fascinating history, great food, gorgeous architecture, and a reputation for having some of the warmest people on the planet within its borders. It’s safe, and has clean water, and a good social safety net.

And … because I’m excited to see some of the world’s biggest waves roll in along its coastline and walk parts of the Camino de Santiago and take new hikes.

Even that, does not capture all that I am interested in about Portugal. The language is musical and poetic and a great challenge. It’s also a place that offers an excellent quality of life.

But, this man and I talked about the weather, and I told him that it rained more in Portugal, and it was a lot more humid, so it would be a change for us, but it would be an improvement over -44 degree wind chills in Montana.

He nodded. “You know, I lived on Vancouver Island for a winter,” he said. “I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Beautiful place, but it was always raining and cloudy. The wife and I are going to Yuma, Arizona again this winter though. We went last year and it was a big improvement over here.”

He drove off after yelling, “Well, good luck!” in my general direction, which has also been the response of most people I’ve told, and I think they mean it sincerely.

Today at church, the pastor announced that this would be my last week being the church accompanist because I had sold my house and was moving to Portugal.

Afterwards, a young woman approached me and said, “So, are you moving to Peru for pleasure or out of economic necessity?”

I was briefly puzzled both by the location and by the question and then replied, “Pleasure, and we’re moving to Portugal, not Peru.”

I was thinking to myself, “Oh dear God, I hope I never have to move to Peru out of economic necessity,” while trying not to laugh at the question.

“Oh good,” she said. “Moving is tough, and I’m glad it’s for pleasure. I thought you might have family there or someone going through something that needs you.”

“No,” I said. “We’re going to experience a new culture.”

I love these little stories people make up about our move and motivation. It’s probably something I would do too if I couldn’t understand why people would make a move abroad, and she asked out of genuine concern.

A few weeks ago I was getting our pets microchipped at the veterinarian’s office and discussing our move with the office manager when a man, overhearing, said, “I heard it’s really nice down there.”

“Down where?” I said.

‘‘Panama,” he said.

“Oh it is nice,” I said. ‘‘I’ve heard it’s very nice in Panama, and a lot of Americans are going there, but we’re actually going to Portugal, which is in Europe.”

“Oh, okay,” he said. “Why Portugal?”

Well, by now, I think you all know what I said.

Love,

Janelle

P.S. In other news, our moving sale was a grand success! We had a diverse crowd of friends, neighbors, and strangers, and they were all polite and patient as we navigated the “how much?” question over every item.

Many of them heard about the sale on our local radio station’s Swap and Bulletin Board that announces things for sale, things needed, and local events right after they play the morning polka (they play a new polka every morning). Gotta love northern Montana and KSEN Radio!

We are so very grateful to everyone who attended, purchased items, and helped move a massive amount of stuff off of our patio and out of our house in one day. And for the genuine well-wishes we received. Even my flower pots went!

P.P.S. Our lost appraisal order was found, and the appraisal is scheduled for Tuesday. It looks like we’re about a week behind with our house closing, but we should (crossing fingers) officially move out sometime the week of September 18th.

Also, I know I owe you a podcast, and I have a great one to share! I’ll release it on Wednesday, and it’s an interview with a dear, dear friend of 25 years who moved from Tennessee to New Zealand last year. She is so wise! Can’t wait for you to listen in.

And finally … in big news … Doug got a haircut! He went with me to my final hair appointment before our move and my stylist fit him in. He grew this ponytail during Covid, and I think enjoyed every second of having a ponytail, but he decided it was time for a change. I’m biased, but I think it turned out well! Enjoy the before and after.

More soon …

Doug Before

Doug After