Post-Portugal Debrief

Ola!  Back from Portugal which was, to my surprise and delight, wonderful!  It hadn't ever really been on my bucket list but checked the boxes for our needs at this time - a place we've never been, a direct flight from Boston, an easy time change.  Lisbon to Lagos (in the Algarve) to the Azores.  Everything we needed - a change of scenery, an opportunity to discover and feel alive.  

Along the way, I learned a thing or two.  First, I don't need to be "fancy".  Sure, we had an amazing 12 course dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant which was heavenly.  But that was it.  We downshifted to very casual dinners, no reservations needed.  In fact, we cancelled all of our dinner reservations in the Algarve and went to local places that the concierge recommended, including a pizza place one night.  I didn't get dressed up and makeup was optional on most days.  While we covered a ton of ground and saw everything we wanted to see, it didn't feel too structured or rushed.  An espresso at a castle's cafe while it rained.  Sunset at a local, beachside restaurant.  A walk around the harbor of an Azores Island we didn't expect to be on.  Our flight to Sao Miguel was diverted after 2 aborted landings due to high winds. That landed us for the night on Terceira, the 'next' island - 100 miles away - that had an Air Force base and, thus, a huge runway.  I rolled with that change of plan like it was nothing (very not me). 

The other thing I learned is, as quickly as things can change for the worse (you think you are healthy one day, and then have cancer the next), they can change for the better equally as fast.  I had this realization while on a zodiac boat off the Azores on a whale watch.  While we were leaving the harbor and the volcanic peaks towered over us, I did some math in my head.  Here I was, zipping through middle of the Atlantic Ocean (literally), 12 weeks out from chemotherapy and 4 weeks out from radiation, feeling great.  Living my best life.  Doing exactly what I wanted to be doing.  There will be bad times, but good times will follow and they will follow quickly.  

It's good to know that at the age of 54, I can still grow and learn.  I feel more grounded after this trip.  More solidly me.  Hard to explain, but I'm enjoying the new and evolving me. xo J

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