Life in Portugal – Travels of John and Flo

May 3, 2025May 3, 2025

Getting (and keeping) a Driver’s License in Portugal

When we moved to Portugal it was necessary for us to get Portuguese driver’s licenses. You can’t live in the country and use a driver’s license issued from another country. The process was rather simple for Florence as she had a French license and they just exchanged hers for a Portuguese one. The only problem was waiting for the replacement which took six months to arrive. During this period she had a piece of paper stating she could legally drive, but it was only recognized as legal in Portugal – no rental car company, or other country, would accept it.

April 14, 2025April 14, 2025

Northerners & Southerners and the Concept of Time

Most people making the move to Portugal are coming from the north, primarily northern Europe, United States or Canada. And the majority are doing so for the weather. For lack of a better term, let’s refer to them then as “Northerners,” and those in the south, (Portugal, Spain and Italy for example), as ”Southerners”.

Cultural characteristics are what differentiate them with the concept of time, how each relates to it, at the top of the list.

March 22, 2025March 22, 2025

The Importance of “Home”

The concept of “home” is something that should be seriously contemplated by anyone considering moving to another country. I’ve placed “home” in quotes as home is more than just the tangible, physical structure where we grew up or currently live. There are other attributes that have intrinsic value as well. Home is traditionally where family is, where we entertain friends, the people we trust and rely on most. Where we feel most comfortable and safe. It’s where we keep and hold onto the things that are most valuable to us. It provides a foundation on which we build our lives, for life is easier when there’s a strong bond between us and “home”. All of these add up to give the home a sense of soulfulness.

March 6, 2025March 22, 2025

Journey back to Puerto Vallarta

It’s been over three years since we’ve been back to Puerto Vallarta, the place that was our home for nearly thirty years. But in late February we made the journey to attend a wedding and reunite with old friends.

We broke the trip up by landing first in Cancun spending a few days, allowing us to avoid Mexico City immigration, (especially after what happened on our last visit), and provide a bit of a reprieve from the inevitable jet-lag that seems to bother us even more these days.