It seems I need some inspiration from The Little Mermaid

One aspect of Portuguese culture that I just can't get used to yet is the very typical European-styled greeting. Two kisses on the cheeks, right first and then left, without missing a beat. And the persistence of the Portuguese to keep this practice alive is quite amazing. In a room full of people, a single cheek will make its way around the entire crowd, even if it takes 5 minutes. If you have a personal bubble, forget about it in Portugal.
This is where I am at.
When first meeting someone, I stick out my hand hoping they don't go for my cheeks first. In some instances, it works. In others, I am not quick enough. And as they lean in for the inevitable, half the time I am so uncomfortable that I go too fast and knock cheeks rather than gracefully touch.
With many people, I can just tell them I am not quite used to the whole kissing thing yet. Some are understanding and give me my space. Others make sure I get used to the custom real fast.
What makes we wary, as well, is the range of kissing styles. Let me explain. When cheek-kissing someone for the first time, you never know what you are gonna get. With some people, mostly adults and young adults, it is more of a slight touch. No real kissing besides imitating the mouth and making the "pop" sound. With older ladies, it is much more forceful as they pull you down to their height and give you those kisses with no shame. And let's just say the young kids are still learning. Most Sundays, I literally have to hide from one particular little boy at church who seeks out the American missionary to give her two full-blown, sloppy kisses on the cheeks.
So, next time I enter that crowd or meet someone new, I will just imagine Sebastian from The Little Mermaid singing to me:

"There you see them

Standing there across the way

They don't got a lot to say

Cause the language is not the same

And you don't know why

But you wanna run and hide

Instead of kissing the Portuguese

Sha-la-la-la-la-la

Don't be scared

Their cheeks are all prepared

Go on and kiss the Portuguese

Sha-la-la-la-la-la

Ain't that sad

It's just two kisses, not that bad

Go on and kiss the Portuguese

You've got to kiss the Portuguese

Why don't you kiss the Portuguese

You gotta kiss the Portuguese

Go on and kiss the Portuguese."

Thank you, Sebastian.

A Day in the Life

It is 7:35 in the morning. As we start the 30 minute walk to the metro, we practice our Portuguese with one another. The walk isn't so bad, really. Even the cobblestones beneath our feet look interesting. That's how I would describe Portugal. Interesting. Around every corner, there seems to be just one more thing that catches our interest... The aged buildings, the people, the numerous fruit stands, the alters at seemingly random places which include statues of saints or an agonized-looking Jesus, the pastry shop windows full of deliciousness. Even the fields of grass and weeds look interesting. Walking, we pass numerous coffee shops that I promise myself to stop in one day. As we get closer to the metro, we pass the same old man who tips his hat to us and responds likewise, as we say, "Bom Dia!"
While waiting for the metro, we make simple conversation in Portuguese and English to Sergio (our friend who works at the metro stop). We then board, find seats, and study until we hear the lady on the intercom announce our stop. Before going to class, we stop by a cafe that we have been frequenting. The lady behind the counter recognizes us now and anticipates our order. The same thing almost everyday... Croissant misto and meia de leite for me, carioca com leite for Hodge. I smile as she gets the order ready because I only used to dream about becoming a "regular". And now in Portugal. Crazy.
The rest of the morning and early afternoon are spent in language class. Our teachers instruct us in grammar as well as give us the low-down on Portuguese culture and ways. Classes are quite enjoyable, but by the end, we are drained of just about every ounce of energy that we had when the class started. After class, we stop in a mall because we have time before the next metro back to Vila do Conde. This stop often includes visiting "The American Store" (a small shop that carries, mostly food, products found in The States)... where we have also become regulars. No shame... I guess the appropriate phrase here would be, "Proud to be Americans". There, we talk with Sara, the girl who is always behind the counter. Because she speaks no English, our conversations usually end in laughter when we get to that point where we can't understand each other and just kind of give up until the next time.
Soon after that, we find ourselves on the metro. Metro rides are mostly quiet with many eyes staring in our direction as we are clearly not from around here. We settle in for the hour ride home, and eventually, the steady movement of the back and forth rocks us, and my eyes become increasingly heavy. A ten minute snooze is just enough to give enough energy for the walk that awaits us once we get off the metro. The afternoon walk is generally more pleasant and relaxed, especially when the sun has made an appearance. And this is when we explore. We go into shops we haven't before, while stopping into many of the ones we have to say hello to people we have met. Several of them have agreed to help us with the language, so we take advantage of that.
The afternoons prove themselves low-key, if plans have not been made. We rest our minds from Portuguese for a bit, and at some point, our feet make their way to the beach with an anxious dog. Standing on the sand, breathing in the fresh, salty air, watching the waves crash with the vast ocean behind them. In that moment, it is difficult not to marvel at where God has brought us, both spiritually and physically. A type of spiritual renewal that is desperately needed.
As for evenings, they vary. A couple of nights each week, we go out to one of the restaurants in our little town. Anything to meet people and try new food. And as we return to the places we (and our pockets) like, the people working there recognize us. It is kind of easy to with our light hair, light skin, and English tongues. Plus, we normally arrive about an hour or two before normal Portuguese dinner hour, which is closer to 9 or 10. The people working allow us to practice Portugese with them as we stumble over words and take several minutes to say simple phrases. But it is always a good time, and we are thankful for their patience. 
A few evenings have been spent with new friends, and still others have been spent inside with a cozy fire and a cup of tea. And of course, most nights consist of studying. We crawl into bed late, and our eyes close on yet another day. Days that are sometimes tough, days that are often full of lessons on humility, but days that God has given us for a purpose.

I guess I do look like a Tourist with my camera, backpack and blonde hair.

As we continue to get to know Porto, our days typically lead us into adventures. A couple of afternoons have been spent in downtown Porto and the Ribeira (riverfront). Our language school just so happens to be in a convenient location to access these areas. So, we explore, we look like tourists, and we discover Portugal.

Camara Municipal i.e. City Hall

Avenida dos Aliados "Avenue of the Allies"
with Camara Municipal to our backs.
Otherwise known as... huge tourist area! Along
with the rest of downtown Porto.

The train station's walls are splashed with Portugal's history.

Standing in front of the train station,
the river on just the other side of those buildings.

A 17th century Monastery. It took
72 years to build due to a lack of
funds as well as Spanish invasion.

Only a small section of the Douro River
to the left of a pedestrian bridge...

...and to the right.

Porto Cathedral, one of the oldest
monuments in Porto.

 

The cathedral was built on a hill
that overlooked the land.
The Torre dos Clerigos can be seen in
the background as well as
from various points in the city.

A closer look at the Torre dos Clerigos (tower
of the clergy) and the church.

We found Costa Coffee! It's no
Starbucks, but it did me good :)

The Palacio da Bolsa (The palace of the purse).
Also known as the stock exchange.

Statue out front of the stock exchange
that commemorates Portuguese explorer
Prince Henry the Navigator.

Riverfront housing.

It's game day!

Igreja Evangelica Batista

Today, as fitting on Sundays, we went to church. The church we went to, a local baptist church, is one that we are partnering with to plant another church in the town we are living in. And boy, did they welcome us with open arms and kisses on the cheeks! One lady took me by the hand and walked me around introducing me to everyone she could find. A little girl came up to me after service and gave me a hug and tried to speak to me in English, so I tried to speak to her in Portuguese. She was our shadow for much of the afternoon after that :)

The street the church is on.

I tried to get a close-up after we left, but it is
the white building.

All in all, it was so great to finally meet the people we will be in fellowship with as well as working with over the next couple of years. During service, the pastor talked about the history of missions in Acts and then went on to talk about the beginning of the history of missions in Vila do Conde (at least, that is what I caught with the little portuguese I know!). He brought us up front along with his son and his son's wife and the other families living in Vila do Conde. It really was great to stand up there knowing exactly why we are here and standing beside people who want the same thing, of which with some of them we can't even communicate with. Pretty spectacular to be used by God in this way. Here's to a God and a gospel that transcends culture!

Potluck lunch! Mmm. We like this church already
:)

A closer look at lunch. On the left are two different types of
Feijoada: bean stew, usually with beef and pork.
It is a typical dish in both Portugal and Brazil.
And Michelle brought the American dish: a la macaroni.

As one lady told us, "Sweets are sweets
in every country." And right, she is!

Another typical in Portuguese cuisine... espresso!
Hodge likes to say, "It could run a car."

The beautiful potted flowers the ladies of the
church presented to us! Did I mention how
welcomed we felt?

Exploring Vila do Conde

Last night, Hodge and I came back to our apartment... still without heat or hot water or the ability to cook, but we needed some time to ourselves after a busy week (at least, I did). So, we slept in this morning and then explored our town a little (get ready for a lot of pictures). Wanting to cover more distance than on foot, we drove the company car which we share with some of our teammates. Of course, Hodge has already nicknamed it... The Biscuit.

We drove around our little city and up to the next city north of us, Povoa de Varzim, which is more of a resort town. We don't know much about Vila do Conde yet, but I did read that it was a ship-building center during Portugal's Age of Discovery, as well as a fishing port. It is located on the coast, at the mouth of the River Ave (ave meaning bird).

The River Ave with the old St. Clare Monastery in the background/

No, not the Matrix Church... the Matriz Church.
I am sure we will be posting plenty more
pictures of old catholic churches. They are
practically on every corner.

A statue in front of the church.

The Saturday Market.... just a ten minute walk from our house!

Futebol in the Park.

Most of the streets in our city are cobblestone.
Cute, but a little rough on The Biscuit.

Look at that stud driving a manual!

This one is just across the street from our apartment
It is an old fort that was built to protect
the port and the town's entrance from pirates! Arrg!

After exploring, we ate a very late lunch at a place just around the corner from our apartment. We have eaten there three times thus far. One of the guys who works there speaks a little English and is super friendly. It has been fun trying to communicate with him. 

Our apartment complex. The restaurant is on the bottom right corner.

A closer look.

Mine. Lasanha.

Hodge's. Francisnha, a very popular dish local to Porto.
 It has about four different meats in it with fries
and normally an egg on top. Can you guess why Hodge loves it?

The meia de leite in front (half coffee, half milk)
and the galao in the background (a quarter coffee,
3 quarters milk).

It is a little too strong for him.