It looks like we picked the perfect time to travel to escape from the Pittsburgh cold and snow! Though the weather forecast here says today may be our last sunny day on this trip, it’s so much warmer and quite beautiful here. I don’t understand a word of Portuguese, but the language sounds beautiful to my ears. Nearly everyone we have interacted with does understand and speak English, so we’ve been very fortunate.
Tom and I spent two days in Sintra, a romantic old world town just north of Lisbon. Last night and this morning we spent time in Nazaré, a beach town which is also north of Lisbon along the coast. Both places have done wonders in reenergizing our minds and bodies.
We’re currently on a bus, traveling through the countryside, headed for our week-long stay in Albufeira in the south of Portugal. Our view from the window is nothing but lush olive trees as far as the eye can see!
I haven’t written to you about my health issue that I’ve been experiencing since the summer, but I’d like to share it now. I had been experiencing mold sickness from black mold found in our home. It’s been a long journey to get the remediation done in our home and to detox the mold from my body. It had become quite debilitating, with inflammation causing me to lose a knuckle on my right hand (thank heavens I’m left handed!). It also messed with my body chemistry.
Long story short, in addition to the supplements and saunas, I’ve been on an extremely strict diet since late September. When I saw the doc right before my trip, he gave me the green light to eat whatever I’d like in Portugal. Food tastes so much better after being on such a limited diet!
Maybe I should paint a food series this year? In fact, I’ve been thinking about painting Isaly’s. Any thoughts? I’d love to hear from you, especially if you have photos you can share! I know by the time we return home, I’ll be itching to paint again.
Take care, my friends!