Catching up – Monday 12.06.2017

Hello everyone,

How is everything going? Tell me about your Monday.

I decided not to go out after all. I scheduled everything for Friday. Tomorrow is a religious holiday and the city and there’s a lot of partying and there were probably more people everywhere today. Also, I was lazy. My mother was not available for dinner after all, so I decided to schedule everything for Friday instead. So, on Friday, I’m going to get a blood test, run some errands, meet my friend and student Ery (I just love her) for lunch and to wonder around a book fair, then I have my psychiatrist’s appointment at 4.30 p.m and then I’ll go to mom’s for dinner. Since I’ll be at the city, I will try to schedule a psychologist’s appointment too, taking advantage of being there already. I haven’t gone in a long time, but I need to keep going if I do want to get better.

I had forgotten tomorrow was a holiday (St. Anthony’s day or “Dia de Santo António”) which is the Patron Saint of Lisbon. There’s a huge party happening all over the city. I’ve been there a few years ago but it’s just too much for me lol Too many drunks and trash all over the floor (mostly plastic cups). There’s music and a huge parade and contest. Each neighborhood is represented in the parade and, in the end, one of them wins best “Marcha”. The parade is called “Marchas de Santo António” or “Marchas de Lisboa”. Here’s a few pictures:

It’s a nice party and people like to get there to watch them go down the Avenue “Avenida da Liberdade” or watch on TV, if they can’t be there. Oh and they sing while dancing and going down the avenue, I forgot to mention that. I’ve been there to watch, when Rui and I first started dating but we mostly watch it on TV, as we’re doing tonight. The winner is the group or neighborhood with best costumes, song and routine.

There’s also a group wedding. Oh yeah, people apply to be married on this specific day and there’s a whole party too. It’s called “Casamentos de Santo António” or “St. Anthony’s weddings”. I think they choose about 16 couples and they all get married together.

The tradition started in 1958, to help couples who really wanted to get married but couldn’t afford a wedding. Here’s a picture:

There were more couples back then, they do choose only 16. They don’t have to pay for anything. I’m not sure but I think the couples are still chosen based on their financial difficulties, having no means to pay for a wedding. I think it’s a nice and cute tradition.

It’s traditional to eat roasted sardines, which the Mister is making for himself and I hate, so I’m eating pizza. You eat them with your hands, on bread, or on a plate with boiled potatoes and roasted bell peppers.

Mister is outside doing his and I took a few pictures:

Dummy told me to take a picture that looks like he’s lighting the fire with his hands, while wearing socks and flip-flops. I swear he doesn’t go out wearing those

The nice grill and fire, where the sardines will go

His t-shirt…

Oh, I want to show you my new plant, the cute shoes I’m mourning because I have to return and my cute lunch bag that Rui takes to work every day (and doesn’t even care) because his lunch bag was old and needed to go. This was a few months ago, by the way. He has been rocking it ever since.

I guess that’s it for today, guys. We’re about to have dinner and ice cream. Tomorrow Rui doesn’t work and we’re going out. I’ll tell you what we’ve done tomorrow night. I’m also catching up on blogs and comments, as always.

Love you guys, I hope you have a nice evening.

Chey.