Yet Portugal Provides That
I wrote this blog post in 2022 and, serendipitously, found the draft version while on my return trip to Portugal, and I find it to be relevant to what I’m experiencing today so I’ve decided to publish it.
I miss feeling alive.
I write this as I stare out my studio windows that overlook my birthday bridge (IYKYK) in Lisbon, Portugal.
Most days, I can’t believe I made it to Portugal. I can’t believe that after fighting a government for nearly ten years that I got to return with my residency.
Even though I know in my heart of hearts that Portugal isn’t my forever home nor do I want it to be, I am genuinely grateful to come home to family, ocean breezes, affordable healthcare, and the option to stay put if I need to.
I made it and I fought HARD to make it here.
I opened the studio of my dreams in the country I once loved most. I have treasured friendships turned into a community.
And finally, I have my Portuguese residency.
Past Brytta would be shocked with joy to find out that she would need this residency to get her French visa, and perhaps that was the reason this was all worth fighting for all along.
To build a life in Paris, but more on that later ;)
Although Portugal isn’t known to be a country that makes us feel alive. Truly, I don’t know anyone in this country who is excited to be here.
It is a country that is known for keeping us safe.
It’s the place where I can walk around at any time of night (or day), and no one will bother me or do anything to me. The men surprisingly keep to themselves, so women are actually safe here.
Even the police do their jobs here, which is to keep people safe in non-violent ways.
I know, it’s a wild concept in this world to feel and be safe, yet Portugal provides that.
It’s a place with affordable healthcare.
I write this, as I’ve been fighting pneumonia for 6 weeks (super fun).
And the best part?
I know. How can pneumonia have a best part?
My 4+ antibiotics were only 30 euros ($40 USD) and that’s without healthcare. Shout out to Portugal for providing accessible healthcare. I have never been so grateful and am so ready to feel better!
Most importantly, though, I will be well on my birthday this week. Taurus queens deserve to SHINE.
What I love most about Portugal, though?
It’s a place of deep rest because sleeping, resting, and not working are art forms in Portugal, and although at times getting people to do their jobs is nearly impossible, can you blame them?
The whole country is on a beach, and if you had the choice between the beach and work, I think we all know which one you would choose.
Portugal is the place where I am always invited to come home to myself, my yoga practice, and a family who makes me light up with joy every time I see them. We are our ancestors’ wildest dream come true!
I also don’t know why I’m writing this, as Portugal also happens to be the country that pisses me off the most due to their next-level colonisation, racism, and thievery that they refuse to take any sort of accountability for, and some still act with this behaviour in their day-to-day lives.
Someone had to say it.
Yes, I’m a Scorpio moon. I hold grudges and keep receipts for life.
For life.
This time, though, no horrible things have happened. Maybe the curse was lifted. Maybe Saturn left Pisces and entered Aries. Maybe there are good doctors in Portugal now. Maybe certain people now understand that I can cause Karma so drastic in their lives that they wisely chose to leave me alone.
I don’t know.
What I do know is that I’m grateful for this calm life and soft landing place of love to return to.
And even though it’s not the place to feel ecstatically alive, I don’t think all places need to be that.
Sometimes we need places of rest to restore our tired souls before dancing wildly into our next chapter.
