Ola amigos,
I hope this email finds you well. Nick and I have the dreaded upper respiratory virus that is plaguing the world. While Nick came down with it a few days before I departed, I was fine until my flight to the states which was filled with people sneezing and coughing. By the time I landed in Miami, I was doing the same. Nicholas, Gracie, and the girls did their best to entertain me, while I went through a big box of kleenex and coughed excessively during my four days there. On my last night in Miami they took me to the light display at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, and it was magical. I wish that I could attach some of the videos of this place as well, but they are too large.
Upon arriving in the Bay Area, I went to see my doctor and was tested for the flu and Covid (both were negative) and left with a prescription for my cough. Days later I went to an Urgent Care due to a searing pain that developed on my left side due to coughing so hard and for so long. I thought perhaps I had cracked a rib, however, x-rays revealed nothing and, as it turned out, I pulled a muscle. The lesson here is to wear masks on any planes and/or public transit and avoid anyone with a cough, which is almost impossible right now. Sorry that this prevented me from visiting with any friends while in California, but I didn't want to infect anyone (other than my poor relatives, unfortunately for them).
While I was in the states, Nick was well taken care of here. Everytime I spoke with him he was dining with various neighbors. It was like a constant party in my absence. Truthfully, I was so happy that everyone was keeping watch on him and making sure he was fed and his thirst quenched.
I arrived home in the evening on New Year's Eve and, though I wanted to go downtown to see the big light show, I opted to put on my pjs and watch fireworks from our balcony. A friend recently asked me if I felt like this was my home now, or if I was sad to leave California. Yes, Portugal is definitely my home--our home now. We are so grateful to be living here.
Before I sign off, my heart goes out to friends in SoCal who are faced with the apocalyptic fires ravaging the LA area. Hopefully, you are not in harm's way. Please stay safe. And to my friends in Canada who receive my writings, I actually don't even know what to say other than most of us are horrified and embarrassed. Please know that not all Americans are assholes. 😕
Adeus, abraços e beijos,
MaryLou