We are Portugal!

What is in Cascais, Portugal you ask?

This is a good question and we're not the one to give you an answer because neither of us have been there. Below is summary of whats to come!


Can't afford Brazil? Then head to Cascais. With its churrascarias(Portuguese steakhouse), beach football and samba clubs, the Portuguese resort town is like a 'Mini-Rio'.

You sit at a pavement terrace on the Praia da Conceição promenade, sipping a frosted glass of caipirinha (made with Brazilian cachaça rum, crushed limes, and ice) as a busker plays Brasileira guitar-music. Leggy girls skate past, their filmy wraps barely concealing bikinis that appear to be made out of those bite-sized triangular mini-tacos. Down on the sand, four men in loose cotton trousers practise the Brazilian martial-art of capoeira to the accompaniment of the traditional single-stringed berimbau. Further up the beach, a group of beach-boys flick a football between them with all the style of the next Ronaldo.

This is all happening only a few hours away, on the Portuguese riviera near Lisbon. The little town of Cascais (pronounced kash-kaish) is home to one of Europe's largest concentrations of Brazilian immigrants. Most are from Rio and São Paulo, and it was natural that they should look for something reassuringly familiar in their new home, importing some of the more endearing facets of Latin beach-life. Despite its diminutive size (population just over 33,000), word soon spread to later arrivals that this was a "mini Rio".

The scale might fall slightly short of the great expanses of Ipanema and Copacabana - you can stroll from one end of town to the other in less than an hour - but each of Cascais's sandy bays seems to attract its own dedicated congregation of sun-worshippers. Praia Moitas, with its protecting seawall and saltwater swimming pool, is a favourite with families and Praia da Rainha, with its rocky outcrops and turquoise reef, is a quietly romantic spot for couples.

But it is Conceição that has claimed centre stage. While older people doze under thatched parasols, the younger generation come to see and be seen, an endless procession of gorgeous, sun-tanned girls and athletic men.

When the sun goes down, Esplanada da Amarilinha (on Larga Praia da Rainha) is one of the most popular nightclubs among the Brazilian contingent. A warm sea breeze blows in through the windows and the moon shimmers silver on the waves below as perfectly synchronised couples twirl in time to samba.

Centuries before the Brazilians arrived, Cascais was the coastal residence of Lisbon's elite and, subsequently, as the settling place of nouveaux riches returning home from their New World trading empires and haciendas. Monumental noble houses still stand within palm-shaded gardens along boulevards with names like Avenida da Venezuela, Av da Argentina and, of course, Av do Brasil.

But the real charm of Cascais is that, despite the changes and a booming tourism industry, the old town has effectively managed to retain the atmosphere of a peaceful fishing village. In the tangle of steep alleyways around the Rua dos Navegantes (Street of the Navigators) life goes on much as it always has. On Praia da Ribeira, fishermen still mend their nets under the looming bulk of the great Cidadela fortress. Among the fishing boats and stacks of lobster baskets you are never far from the scent of chargrilled sardines from the blackened barbecues, and in the waterfront tavernas there is always the musky aroma of snails, stewing in a delicately spicy sauce.

In the streets surrounding Largo 5 Outubro (near the fishing harbour) there are plenty of good terrace restaurants where you can eat a hearty Portuguese meal for as little as £8 a head, with a shared bottle of vinho verde. And several of the churrascaria barbecue restaurants (like Pindorama, Rua Alexandre Herculano, 25) serve wonderful picanha. These thick juicy steaks are part of a culinary tradition that dates back 300 years on the Brazilian pampas ... and, even on their own, they might be considered reason enough for "popping down to Rio".

2010 in a nutshell

I thought I would give you a little bit of history on me and the boy. We have been friends since 2007 when we both moved to Charlottesville. After many life changes, moves, and finally a twist of fate, we found ourselves together on new years eve counting down the seconds to the new year......and then we kissed! It was the most wonderful first kiss and I did not want it to end! So that led us to our first date, get ready for it, hunting! I know, who would have ever thought prissy little vegetarian lizzie would ever go hunting with a boy?? Well I really wanted to see what all the hype was about, so I grabbed my book and some warm clothes and together we hiked up a mountain, got in some tree stands and sat there. Graham hunted. I read. At one point, I glanced up, spotted a deer that Graham had not yet seen and boom, from then on I have been considered good luck to go hunting with. I actually enjoyed being outdoors and really just loved being with him, so yes, I go hunting with him now.

We spent the past 11 months having the time of our lives. We have gone snow tubing at Wintergreen, vacationed on a yacht in paradise, spent cold winter nights in Sperryville, driven through lots of snow, hiked Sugar Hollow and Old Rag, toured numerous gardens, attended weddings in Annapolis, Blacksburg, Sonoma Valley, Boston, and Vermont. We went to see Colbie Callait/Sheryl Crow, DMB (x2), and LADY GAGA (which I think was our ultimate favorite)!!! We spent time driving around beautiful Charlottesville, going to Fridays after 5 and 1st Fridays (yay Skylight Studios), and finally made a trip to my beloved Lane Stadium to cheer on the HOKIES! Did I mention that we have also vacationed with family in Emerald Isle, NC and Key Largo, Florida, where on both trips I caught more fish than Graham? Yep that's right, this girl loves fishing too!

We have lots of fun plans in December and plan to see lots of good friends and family! Here are a few pics from the year....the best year of my life =)

Tickets Bought!

So Graham and I are about to start our adventure to Cascais, Portugal.  We are fortunate enough to have a wonderful (and free) place to stay for the next year thanks to Graham's generous Grandpa, Sam Musser.  We just sat by the computer drinking portuguese wine for an hour trying to decide on a blog name....we hope you like it.  It comes from a quote "Quit your job, get a tan, fall in love, never return" that Graham modified into "Quit your job, fall in love and run away" because surely we shall return (at some point).  We are scheduled to depart Dulles Airport January 10th, 2011, at 8:25pm, feel free to come wish us a farewell!

A little info if you are thinking about relocating to another country, it's a pain in the butt!  Start any paperwork months in advance and be prepared to deal with a lot of dumb people on the phone.  Just being honest!  We are going to miss C'ville and all of our wonderful friends and our family!  Please come visit! We will shower you with grilled sardines and vinho verde while you enjoy your own private quarters.

Next up, packing my place on JPA....and a few goodbye parties.  Oh and did I mention 13 more shifts in the nicu???