Newcastle (Sort Of) 365: Semana Doze

One of my favorite movies ever is “While You Were Sleeping.” I have always really related to Lucy, the main character–especially the part about how she has a passport with no stamps in it. That unfulfilled dream of seeing the world was so familiar to me that it made my heart ache.

And then came England, where I got my first stamp in my passport*. I felt so grown up. So exotic. I have been to a place. Not places–yet–but a place that is cool and I have been there. Whoa.

But according to the University, that stamp wasn’t sufficient for my visa status. I’ll spare you the boring details about why, but that meant that I would have to leave the country within three months and re-enter through a different port of access so that my visa could be properly activated and I wouldn’t get kicked out.

So I went to Portugal. Ugh. What a chore. (*wink wink*)

Really, though, Portugal was amazing. The people were so kind, the country was gorgeous, the history was fascinating. I saw dolphins. I worked on my book on my private balcony, listening to the sound of a hundred storks all chattering on the rooftops. I have so many pictures to share–so don’t worry, this is just a small taste of what’s coming.

And now I have a few more stamps in my passport to commemorate my first ever trip to a foreign country where I don’t speak the language.

Tenho amor pelo mundo.
I am in love with the world.

Obrigada, Faro! I will see you again someday.

* Well, Dublin, really. But since I didn’t leave the airport, I don’t count it as going to Ireland…

Know someone who would like this post?
Please share it!

Jess Friedman
Jess is a Canadian-American who’s always ready for the next adventure. She loves all things living, always has a million creative projects in progress, and polishes her nerd badge daily. She is passionate about helping families make and preserve treasured memories that strengthen bonds across generations. You can read more posts by Jess here.

Let’s connect!

Keep Reading

Share Your Thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Psst! Want all the best memory keeping secrets?

Join the VIP club to get a once-a-month newsletter full of resources, exclusive offers, and fun surprises. Also, no spam, because eww.

Personally, we're big fans of good ol' chocolate chip, but we do use digital cookies to improve your experience with Jest Kept Secret and help the website function smoothly. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt out at any time. For more information, please see our privacy policy.