Settling in


Settling in: what’s not to like about oranges, flowers and 18 degrees in January sunshine.  But there are some adjustments. I went 2 days without making a coffee despite having 3 cafe makers that I didn’t know how to work or instructions not in english😏 but I found a French Press for 4.50 € and ran all the way back to apt. Mind you there are cafes on every single corner so I didn’t suffer much. My favourite place so far is a homemade chocolate bonbon and a teeny cup of coffee for 1.50 €  but I have to climb up some steep cobblestone to get there.  And tonight I realized I didn’t know how to use the corkscrew. So away I go tomorrow to see if I can find the hinged wing type I’m used to.  I noticed very few screw top wine bottles which makes sense in the country of cork. Drinkable house wine costs under 4 € in the grocery store. The mini bottle I bought for tonight cost .99€  shame I can’t get it open! 



 
Meet my new French Press

             
                 




A picture paints a thousand words when one will do: Delicious
Sat entertainment in Tavira: 

Saturday music concerts are held in one of the 37 churches from 6 to 7 pm and cost 6 € (no one could sit any longer on those hard wooden seats). This week was simply billed as Ricardo Coelho duo with Piano and contrabass. I was astounded when I entered the 17th century St Sebastian chapel, not only to see a grand piano sitting under the altar, but the church was jaw dropping beautiful..gilt, statues & trompe l’oeil paintings covered every surface of the walls and ceiling. Seating was available for 70 and the place was packed.  Soon two young men entered and magical sound filled the air. Not sure what they were playing...kind of classical jazz, but the appreciative audience gave them a standing ovation after each piece. Despite my aching backside, the hour flew by. Next week I will get with the crowd and bring a pillow to sit on. A fado concert awaits in the Carmo church. 

           
Church was decorated by a local stone mason, architect and builder, Diogo Mangina 














The altar is surrounded by panels depicting life of St. Sebastian who protected against plaques and contagious diseases.
 













Outside of the chapel is quite plain compared with inside

Comments

  1. Sue SunderlandJanuary 29, 2020 at 5:33 AM

    HI Joan.. I wanted to wait to repsond to the second blog until I had a minute. It looks absolutley lovely, . And from the sounds of your 'introduction week' to the town.. it will be a lovely place to stay. I was so charmed by the thought of all those concerts in all those churches..
    I'm so impressed you are finding out all this stuff and following through on it all.

    You're doing a great job with the writing and commentary.. your natural humor shines through!
    Keep them coming.

    I will send you an email soon.. I am going to be seriously looking at going that direction for 2 -3 months next winter. I'm thinking a month or two Portugal/Spain,..then up to my sisters place in France for a while. I had your town on my 'short list' years ago when we were researching.. but haven't done any followup since. So I will be following your blog with pleasure!
    Do you have decent Wifi in your place? That would be important with such time to yourself.
    When does your first set of friends arrive?

    Pickleball yesterday.. the ladies were asking of you and I filled them in on your 'entry' there.
    Your are definitely NOT missing anything here.. Cold, grey and white Janurary...
    Take care and keep them coming.
    PS___ I couldn't see where you had replied to me.. But will watch closely the next time..

    ReplyDelete

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