My first overseas flight of the year, Portugal of course, but somehow this one was very different. I was not heading over for wine tasting, nor a wine tour. I was flying to Porto, to find a new place to live … a new home. This was a first, and I was unable to sleep on any of my flights. After a quarter of a century in the Pacific Northwest, the upper left corner of America, my new country of residence beckoned.  

A change of this magnitude is no small thing, especially after a 3+ decade Food & Beverage management career which required me to move so many times, for either a promotion or a brand new opportunity. But this was completely different. Even though I’ve been to Portugal dozens of times and have spent a combined 4 years during my visits, and while feeling very at home … leaving my naturalized home, the USA … was going to be difficult.  

I love my country, through all its dimensions and divisions … yet it is not an easy place to pick up and leave … after all these years, with friends, family, and so many memories. But the time finally presented itself, a moment I’ve waited for, literally for years. As a mere novice with the language and zero attention paid to the politics, the Portuguese culture and amazing people; had me caught between destiny and a dynamic force. I began writing this blog piece somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on my way to Porto, and decided not to return until I had found what I was looking for, my new home.  

Life after America, I wondered “if and when” it would be my time, in Portugal. And here it was staring me in the face, and I was really excited by the possibilities ahead and anxious too. The thought of leaving everything behind, in order to reach for the golden ring, something I seriously contemplated during these flights across the pond.  To be a part of the land that had connected me to Port in a visceral sense, (Madeira too) that’s not easy for most to understand. Had I taken my oath to the Brotherhood too seriously? I don’t think so. Will I still be able to teach and share the wonders of Port and Madeira, plus the wines of Portugal with groups and friends throughout North America while living in Europe? Why not … even a better reason to attract more explorers to come visit this amazing new frontier that is growing exponentially more popular each year. 

I had temporarily put aside just about everything, in preparing for the ridiculous amount of work in cleaning out, fixing up and readying our home for sale. The home in which our daughter was born and raised, packing up and making the solo move to the Porto area. I had made my decision and was ready for this bold new adventure and sincerely thank the London-based company, Pulsar Development International, along with their Portuguese partner, Global InPulsar, for believing in me and presenting a progressive new future and helping me to expedite my residency as well.  

But before I was able to fulfill that mission, I had to take the very first step and find a great place to live in Porto. Finally! 

More to come …