Portugal is very much a learning experience. Here are 5 unexpected things about traveling within Portugal to help you plan a future trip.
1. Duolingo doesn’t have “Portuguese” Portuguese.
Brazilian Portuguese is their default option, but it is not the same as Portuguese spoken in Portugal. The MemRise app is better for learning the version of Portuguese spoken by actual people in Portugal.
2. The “sh” sound is huge in Portugal Portuguese. Also, they pronounce the letter “J.”
Carlos, the coordinator at Buinho, is pronounced “Carlosh.” Lagos on the coast of southern Portugal is pronounced “Lagosh.” Some other examples: agua con gash (agua con gas), Lishboa (Lisboa). When in doubt, add a “sh.”
Jorge (Spanish = Hor-hey), a resident from Mexico City, became “Georgie” in Portugal. When I landed at Lisbon Airport and told the border officer I was staying in “Messehana,” he didn’t know where I meant. I could’ve saved myself time by learning to say “MesseJANA” in advance.
3. Arabic is a profound layer of the landscape.
And not just with domed architecture and adobe-type construction. When I ventured to the beach, I went to Almograve (Arabic = Al Mograve). The closest full-service grocery store was in Aljustrel (Arabic = Al Justrel). The Portuguese smush Al words together.
4. Eucalyptus, not cork, is Portugal’s most extensive tree type.
And it’s an invasive species. Eucalypts weren’t planted in Portugal until the mid-1800s as a means to control erosion. An aggressive species, eucalyptus trees now grow wild all over the country, from arid climates to wet ones. Nobody really knows how to get rid of them.
5. Tinned seafood is a massive deal.
Think tinned sardines or tinned mackerel is disgusting? Don’t venture into one of the MANY palaces to these Portuguese delicacies. Entire restaurant menus consist of tinned squid, mussels, and various whole-bone fish with heads-on. A Porto sardine shop even has a merry-go-round to entertain children while their parents load up on fishy tins.
Do you have an interesting tidbit about Portugal? Please share your story in a comment!
I’m in Portugal as part of a writing residency. I completed it on 3 July. To read about my residency at Buinho Creative Hub from the beginning, CLICK HERE and read forward.
2 Comments
My only Portugal tidbit: a good friend says it is absolutely the best place in Europe and has the friendliest people.
The people are friendly, yes. In smaller towns, it’s harder to fit in, but that’s universal.
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