Spring in your head?

Christian and I actually escaped the winter because it was cool in Morocco, but we didn't have any real rain or, God forbid, snow.

In Portugal and Spain, things were a little bit upside down in March, because the rain that they normally expect in November only came in March. It even snowed in the Serra Estrela, and the Sierra Nevada has since been suitable for skiing again.

For me, the green all around is amazing, but in Portugal it seems to rain regularly in the winter months, so the green is not entirely surprising. Nevertheless, I have taken many more pictures of plants in the last few days than I was able to in the months before. I love broom, wisteria, jasmine, orange blossoms and lemon blossoms, the smells here are amazing. There are also plants that I know from home, but which are of course more developed here in April and May than at home. It is simply beautiful to see that!

Then there are the birds! There are apparently swifts, swallows and the like here all year round, but I am still very happy when I see the heralds of the German summer. Then there is the cuckoo, which we can now hear again and again during the day. I heard one near Casablanca, and another near Tarifa, but the one here in Gouveia is loud and always nearby! It's a funny change, as I've seen the animals once at home, but only heard them from a distance. The cuckoo here sits right above Palumbi every now and then!

I haven't spotted the owl yet, but I'll keep looking. The bearded vultures and duck vultures in Spain near Tarifa and Jimena de la Frontera were really amazing. You can't take a photo of them, but the sound of them flapping their wings above you is gigantic!

I'm learning again that I should enjoy the moment, because sometimes I lose perspective. I'm the kind of person who always believes in the positive when something goes wrong, otherwise I'm more of a melancholic or depressive person. These mood swings could of course also be the menopause, because I was amazed to discover that I got my driver's license 30 years ago today! (I now take with humor the fact that April 14th was also the day a few years ago that the Titanic got to know the iceberg better!) I'm really already over 40, but I don't think that slows me down, but rather drives me on.

My sister-in-law recommended a funny book to me today, and I discovered some of myself in it, so there's still hope! I can't explain everything about me with my hormones, but some things make more sense now.

I continue to do yoga, stay away from caffeine and alcohol, and meditate because that helps me to find my inner center. My life is more relaxed at the moment, I worry less than my husband, which used to be the exact opposite. I know that this may change when the sabbatical ends, but I'm trying to just take my new habits with me.

Christian and I like nature, it's beautiful here, the broom bushes in yellow and white, but also the stones all around, it's different from home, we try to gather as many impressions as possible. We approach everything with an open mind, because Morocco has taught us that there is always a way, that everything will somehow make sense. KARMA GETS THEM ALL!

Christian and I noticed something funny during our current relaxation:

We are very frugal campers, even a solar shower that isn't working in the morning can stress us out! Jokes aside, I miss the time in Morocco when we showed up at the campsite without warning, were welcomed with open arms and usually even got a cup of tea or more. That's definitely missing in Europe, we're a bit spoiled when it comes to warmth.

BUT Portugal has also proven to be a gem here, because at the stops so far the owner of the place has always taken the time to show us everything and explain it to us. This is not often the case otherwise, sometimes you have to use your credit card BEFORE you arrive to ensure that you are even received...

We don't want a pool, I'm not interested in the mini-market at all, I don't care about the number of washing facilities or showers, which according to the ADAC is the most important thing of all. What matters to me is that I can find what I need, i.e. water, toilet, shower. I don't need anything else, even the electricity is a nice extra at the moment.

The people who run a campsite here are usually very relaxed, they take their time, they show you everything and explain everything, including the best hikes. I really like that, Portugal really scores points with me!