Black Pig Lizards

Lagartinhos de Porco Preto

Yes, the word Lagartinhos translates to lizards and Porco Preto translates to Black Pig but I’m sure we weren’t expected to see the literal translation. Lagartinhos de Porco Preto are thin strips of meat cut from the Iberian Black Pig and it is immensely flavorful. It came with salad and fries, for those interested in giving it a try.

Sardinhas

Sardines are the quintessential meal in Portugal and you have them during the warmer months. We were lucky enough to experience the prep and cooking of the sardines, and got a lesson in how to eat them too! The sardines are fairly large, roughly 6-8 inches in length. To eat them like a local, you place one on a slice of bread, peel away the skin from one side and bite into it kinda like a corn on the cob. Then you turn it over and repeat on the other side.

Almoço

It feels like we have eaten more peixe (fish) in these past 6 months than we ever had in our life. Here is a sea bream I ordered for almoço (lunch). And we enjoy a Cataplana (fish stew) at our former landlord’s house one day for lunch. A Cataplana has many types of seafood in it (rays, monkfish, shrimp and clams), lots of garlic, olive oil and potatoes.

Bowling & Olive Oil

We heard there was a place nearby to buy really good quality olive oil. So, we headed out to an agricultural cooperative in the town of Santa Cristina da Fonte do Bispo to check it out.

We were continuing onto another town when the a sign for bowling caught our eyes. You can’t be out in the middle of nowhere, see a sign for bowling and not turn down the road. There were no further signs for bowling, but we think we found the place. It was a lawn bowling place that looks past its heyday.

Pretty Things

Taking time to admire the gardens of my landlord’s farm.

Tavira Day

The town of Tavira is gearing up for Tavira day! During this time of year, cities and towns celebrate Dia da Cidade and Santos Populares with street parties, music and traditional food. The three popular saints honored during this time are: Saint Anthony (Santo António), Saint John (São João), and Saint Peter (São Pedro). Each city honors one saint. For Tavira, it is São João. This picture shows the streets being set up with decorations for the June 24th celebration. The streets will be lined with handmade paper flowers, lights, and foliage.

Centro de Saúde

I am continuing my exploration of the Portuguese health systems. This time, with a puncture of my thumb on a dirty metal object and a realization that my last tetanus was 9 years ago. The internet told me that I really should get a tetanus shot within 48 hours. Heading to the clinic at 9pm, they told me I would need to go to the Centro de Saúde, the public health center. Without being registered in the system, that seemed to be a dead end.

I researched my options and read stories that sounded rather DIY: getting a prescription, finding a pharmacy to fill the prescription, then hand carrying it back to a clinic. I can’t see anything going wrong there. Another option was to go to one of the cities just to the west — Faro or Loulé — and be seen at an ER. Still, all research kept pointing back to public health.

I decided to go to the clinic in the morning and make a plan with the doctor. But after a good night’s rest, and checking with a Portuguese friend, I accepted that my only option was to go to Centro de Saúde. Did I actually need a residency card to receive public health services? Let’s find out. Armed with my passport, my AIMA appointment receipt and other documents, I successfully registered with Centro de Saúde. That was the easy part.

Waiting to be called was anxiety inducing. As other people got called up and faced the woman behind the desk who simply was not accepting any pushback, I became scared of her. While mentally strategizing, I was called. “Óla! Bom Dia! I greeted her cheerfully yet efficiently. She spoke to me in Portuguese, and I understood enough to successfully complete the check in process without annoying her. Then something unexpected happened — she smiled at me. Any time I am having a 100% portuguese transaction and I get some sign of approval, I am on cloud 9. Soon, a person came to collect me and after studying my vaccination record. gave me the vaccine. Later, I learned that in Portugal, you only get a tetanus booster every 20 years. I guess I wasn’t past due after all.

Peaceful Itchy Feeling

I’m getting used to ignoring mosquito bites. In fact, I evaluate the on itchiness level — a mildly itchy bite on the ankle, nah I’m too lazy to reach down to scratch it. The stores know they are losing customers and really doubled down by erecting promotional displays like this one at the checkout. So, don’t be a DUM DUM and get some pest control now.