All right, Janine, thanks so much for being on the podcast with us today and you are in
Coimbra.
But before we get to that, I want to know where did you come from, how long have you been
there?
Let's chat about before Coimbra.
Well, I wish say thank you very much for having me.
And yeah, before we were in Coimbra, we were basically from California and we during the
pandemic actually spent a couple of years in Texas.
We knew that Texas would not going to be where we wanted to stay.
So we were looking around and a couple of countries came into our view and it wound up
being Portugal.
So we were looking into the different areas and actually my husband did most of that work.
And we just thought that Coimbra such a vibrant city with a college town life and also had
a river and it wasn't as big as Porto or Lujboa.
So we really thought we'd just give it a try.
We'd never been here before and it was kind of our launching pad.
So we just thought let's try Coimbra.
It doesn't work.
Then we'll move elsewhere.
But we kind of got here and fell in love with it.
And we've stayed for two years almost now.
How awesome.
Okay, before we talk a bit more about why Coimbra and how you're liking it, what
are the other countries were you guys considering before Portugal?
Well, actually we kind of thought we were moving to Italy.
So we were learning Italian and we thought that was it.
And then we looked into actually the D7 process and we kind of knew that it was a little
bit easier for us to actually get here.
And you know our D7 process was super easy for us.
We're probably a unicorn and that whole thing.
But you know, it wound up being that it was easier because Italy was the requirements were
a lot different higher.
The income requirements were a bit higher as well.
So with Portugal we thought we'll give it a try here and not be so stressed out.
Tell our listener why you are a unicorn with the D7.
Before you do, jump in real quick, Kaylee, move that microphone a little bit further from your
face.
That was my fault.
It's coming in just a little too hot.
Perfect.
Is that it?
Yep.
All right, unicorn question.
Go.
So the reason why we were a unicorn was we mailed off our paperwork on a Thursday night of the
FedEx to the DC office.
They received it on Friday morning.
We got an email Friday morning to please send in our passports for the visa stamp.
And we rushed off to send them on Friday afternoon and by Tuesday morning we had a FedEx
package in our hand with the visa stamped in our passports.
Yeah.
It was a five.
Yeah, so for our listeners, this is not the norm.
So if you're in your 30 or 60 if they don't freak out, as Jenin said, she is there a unicorn
situation.
But I mean, you guys must have just been like, what?
How did that happen?
Yeah, when we got the email we thought, oh, it's an email they got our paperwork.
Yeah, and then we read on a little bit more and we were like, this is not right.
So we emailed them back really quickly and they were like, no, please go ahead.
And send your your passports and you'll have them back as soon as possible.
And they were within five days.
So then after you got your passports back, when did you actually move?
Because you, I'm guessing you were thinking like we still have some time.
And so then what will was the process after?
Well, the process afterwards was, first of all, you know, we were pinching ourselves,
making sure it was all real when we saw the FedEx envelope open up with our visas and
we were kind of, we're looking at each other going well, do we go earlier?
Do we, what do we do?
You know, do we just stay?
Because we got them back in February and we weren't due to leave until May 15th.
And we kind of decided that we were going to make a, you know, family tour.
We went around the country after we packed up our belongings.
Because we really came with five bags.
And it was kind of our, we were going to be kind of exploring.
We had never been here before.
We were just going to see if it worked.
And when we got, you know, to the decision of being on a world when family tour of seeing
everybody before we left, it kind of was a blessing that we had all that extra time because
you don't realize fitting into other people's schedules.
How hard it is to see everybody.
So it actually wound up being, you know, the perfect amount of time, even though we got them
very quickly, it was kind of, you know, a restful feeling, knowing that we're doing this.
And we already know we have the visas.
So yeah, we actually landed on our first wedding anniversary in Lisbon on May 15th, 2021.
How exciting.
What a good present, right?
Yeah, let's do something.
Okay, so you had never been to Portugal or Quimbro when you moved, right?
That is correct.
So you chose Quimbro.
You mentioned it a little bit at the beginning because of being vibrant and being kind of
a lot going on with the university.
It has the river, but it's not as big as one of the other cities.
So I guess first impression when you landed, were you happy that you chose Quimbro?
Yeah.
Well, a little backstory is that, you know, YouTube is a wonderful thing.
And we got to see a lot of Quimbro on YouTube.
There were this couple that we were following too.
I think their names were Josh and Kaylee.
They were really helped.
The whole D7 process and also getting to know Portugal well.
But you know, it's not amazing.
It's not amazing.
So we got to know the city.
We did look at other locations, but it just seemed like it was a small town in a big city
if that makes any sense.
And when we got here, it was the day that Portugal had actually opened up and said that
people can start going outside as far as the pandemic and COVID and, you know, hunkering
down sort of, you know, being quarantine.
We were really surprised at how quiet it was because everything that's on YouTube is vibrancy
and, you know, people running around and having a good time and parks and restaurants.
And it was very quiet even though people were allowed to come out.
But seeing the city, we actually had a blessing of being able to see it as the city itself
as opposed to, oh, this is really rushed and it's just really busy and there's so many people.
So it was great to actually get to know the city herself as opposed to through other rushed
and crazy eyes.
We spent a lot of time eight months at an apartment down in the Bysha and we were able to have
access to everything as soon as we went outside.
Of course, with our masks on.
But we'd really, we'd like to know that it was a, it was a gift to be able to get here just
as things were opening, being able to get outside and being able to get to know the area.
And now it's a lot different, isn't it?
It's very busy.
Yeah, a lot this year than I thought it would be.
Okay, so did it scare you a little bit at first when it was so quiet?
Were you like, oh, maybe we chose two small of a town or a city?
Um, actually, no, because I just started looking into some of the information that was in a Facebook
group that we belonged to and it was that people were kind of really hesitant to go outside
and they were kind of scared.
So I thought, you know, more of on a positive side than I was, we were very lucky to be able
to get there because things were opening, but people weren't going out.
So we almost had like private showing of this location and a private showing at this museum.
And that was really kind of neat for us.
That way we didn't, you know, feel like, oh, we're the Americans in the middle of these Portuguese,
you know, city.
It doesn't speak any Portuguese whatsoever.
And, um, people were very patient, very happy to see us coming in.
And, you know, I guess the city waking up and spending money is they were very excited to see
anybody show up.
Okay.
Oh, yeah, that sounds really interesting.
And then so you went for being quiet to kind of having the city to yourself, which is really
nice, especially it kind of creates a soft landing as well, not so overwhelming.
But now it's vibrant.
There's a lot going on.
So what kinds of things are different than how it was?
Like, now what is it like?
It's too busy or not, not too bad.
Um, you know, it's almost two years.
So you kind of get the flow and the vibe of the city since you've lived here.
And you know, things like in August, the kids are away from the university and that most
Portuguese take their vacation during that month.
And so the downtown at certain hours are completely overrun by buses that have come in and
dropped off, bus loads of people on vacation.
So you know, exactly when and when not to experience that.
And as far as opening up, it's like a blossoming.
It's just this amazing flower of Kuhimbro where restaurants are starting to open up.
People are starting to open new restaurants.
The parks that were all walled all have actually, the workers have gone back to work,
done the work and opened up the parks.
You know, the sidewalks are being fixed with the, you know, cobblestones and stuff like that.
Now we have the boat cruises on the river.
And that was something new that we just saw a few days ago.
So the city is really blossoming and to our excitement, you know, we were in love with it
when we first got here.
And to just see more and more things become available as different options, whether it's
restaurants or fun things to do in the city.
It's great to see that Kuhimbro puts money back into the city so that they are constantly renewing
it and improving it.
And on that note, actually, we now have a light rail that is, you know, the main road is being dug
up at this point, but they're going to connect between Kuhimbro and Lusal.
So that it'll be a direct shot with, you know, obviously a few stops, but it opens up so much
to see down in that area and being able to get back and forth in one day.
Yeah, that's amazing to see the growth.
That's so great.
Because Kuhimbro is such a beautiful place anyway.
And so just to see them and proving it, you know, those little things, it means a lot, right?
Yes, absolutely.
So then how does it compare from where you moved from Texas and California, how does Kuhimbro
compare?
Well, in California, you know, I had lived there for a very long time.
I raised my children there and so to move away from there to Texas, it was a huge difference
because it was rural and I wasn't used to that.
And then moving from Texas to here, you know, whenever you move to a no country, obviously you
have so many differences to get used to.
So many changes, not only the language, but shopping and you know, how are you going to get
around because we don't have a car.
So we had to get used to the bus system and the train system.
And now we have scooters and, you know, electric bikes and that kind of stuff.
So there's all kinds of options, bull taxis.
But if you want to get outside of the city, you know, you kind of either taking the train,
a bus or you need a car.
But getting used to that was a big difference.
Being an adult, I have had a car my whole life.
So it was a different way of dealing with your freedom.
You know, car, you get in your car, you go wherever you want and then you go home with a situation
of mass transit.
You have to time things.
And I wasn't used to that.
So you have to get that.
Yeah.
But I, you know, as far as being in Kooingbroon, being so incredibly different, I would say that the
weather is very similar to Southern California.
I think it may get a tad colder in the winter.
But, you know, that's doable because it's maybe what one week, maybe possibly two weeks
spread out over three or four months.
But it's really very similar to Southern California.
The springs and the falls are really beautiful here.
Some are might get a little hot.
But, you know, you're kind of inside not doing too much in the Bisha downtown area because
there's so many tourists.
Yeah, it's funny to look at things as you live here now and the tourists, you know, overwhelmed
you.
Yeah, as in being happens in Porta.
Yeah, I know you're looking at this beautiful thing, but I live here and I need to walk
past you.
Could you please move off to the side?
Yes, my stroller doesn't fit on here hardly by itself.
Now, I have to have it with you.
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Well, a burning question that I have is do you guys use the electric scooters there?
We've actually used the electric scooter in foster doodle.
We have not used them here because we recently got e-bikes.
So we have it on electric bikes and enjoying that.
Going out into smaller cities and quieter roads.
I did try going into the city on my e-bike, but it was not for me.
It was the city.
The city.
It was not for me.
Turnied to eight people to me, cars.
The one thing I would say about this is that with Quingra, they are trying to constantly
improve themselves and they have bike paths.
But unfortunately, the bike paths will start and stop and then you don't know where the
next start is.
And so that's a little troubling.
And so then you have to kind of make it across the road, drive and trap back until you
see or find another bike paths.
It's a little difficult.
Which I know they're very bike friendly.
But driving on the roads is still a little new to that.
So it's a little scary for me.
But the smaller roads, side roads and in the smaller towns, it's really, really nice.
They're very respectful on those roads.
We kind of ride front to back and they will go around you.
They'll wait if someone's on coming and they're very, very respectful.
Sometimes they even give you a little hog, not a big one, but just a little one to let you know
that they're coming.
That's nice.
And really good.
I'll turn it off if you don't want a car or don't have a car to do something like an e-bike,
because you're able to get out of the city fairly easily and comfortably on your e-bike.
Yes, absolutely.
And there are, I've noticed, just doing this.
There are lots of little parts along the sides of the roads.
And if you pack a backpack or you've got the bags on the back of your bike, you can
certainly get out of the city very quickly to go to a picnic or to meet friends or whatever
you want to do.
And there's a location very close here.
It's actually a national forest, believe it or not.
And we can walk there or we've taken our bikes there.
It's called Shapal.
And it is a beautiful walk.
You would not know it is plot down in the middle of the city.
Well, maybe not the middle of the city.
It's on the side of the city.
But it is absolutely stunning place to go and get away if you'd like to have that nature,
birds, sounds, it's beautiful.
OK, great.
And earlier, you said you used to live in Biasha, so have you moved out of that central area?
We have.
We moved across the river, Mandego.
And we now live on the southern clara side.
We are actually close to the forum.
We kind of walk up and down that hill to be able to get to the major grocery store, which I
thought was amazing.
They have grocery stores and malls here.
That was something that was brand new for me.
But they have huge grocery store up the hill.
We also have an all the lock and a half away from us.
The location is wonderful.
This side of the city is a bit quieter.
And the other thing is there's not as many restaurants on this side.
So if you're really looking to have, I want to walk out the front door.
I want the cafe lifestyle.
I want to be able to get to a restaurant within five minutes.
Then the baya sure would be better for you.
Or at least that side of the river.
There seems to be a lot more restaurant availability over there.
How do you feel that the variety overall in Khorinba is for restaurants and bars?
Well, like I said, it was the blossoming of the city.
And the opening up the city where there was very limited when we first got here in 2021.
But the restaurants, I was just talking about this to a friend.
She was asking what there was.
And a talian by the river.
There's Portuguese.
There's a brand new beer garden gone in by the river.
There's gelato by the river.
And you get into the baya and now we've seen so many different kinds of restaurants opening.
What I haven't seen is Thai.
She was asking about Thai.
But I'm sure that's here somewhere.
Just have a garden.
Yeah.
And then I mean, being a university city is it, is it rowdy?
Are there a lot of bars?
Is it noisy?
Well, close to the process of how people look at which is more of a city.
Mostly where kids go in between classes or after school, they're up there and they want, you
know, reasonable price food and they want reasonable price beers.
So they're restaurants up there that actually care.
And so if you're looking for a restaurant with even outdoor seating because they see you
in the middle of the process, that's a really great place.
And if you start heading down the hill, there are so many different restaurants as far as in
one small location.
I'm sorry.
I forgot your question, Kaylee.
No, at least I was asking if it was rowdy.
I mean, you touch a little bit on it, but as it gets too rowdy at night.
As far as rowdy goes, I think there are times where it gets rowdy.
And at the beginning of the school year, there's like rush.
Is what I think what they call it here.
So all the new students are trying to get into their different clubs and things like that.
Yes, there are a few times here and there during the year where it might get loud.
But my personal experience is an October, you want to be gone because there's a week of
partying.
And then in May, there is also the graduation in that is like a week of insanity.
Some of most expats get up and leave and get some whatever else in Europe and enjoy themselves
somewhere else.
But for the vibrancy and actually this is another plus with having the students around.
They will go into the baysha and they will sing or they will play their music.
And it is so amazing to have the students come down who have amazing voices.
They have so much talent.
They're singing and dancing.
They have their little tray out front so you can donate to whatever services they're going
to be buying that evening by now.
It can all.
The tray off is really worth it because for the few times that they get voicerous, it's okay
for what you get in return.
Now I have heard of a few friends who lived in the baysha area in certain locations and
there's a lot of partying all night long until three, four, five, six o'clock in the morning.
I have heard of that but I have an experience that myself.
Okay, so just choosing housing wisely if you don't want to be around that.
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
If you have mentioned, sorry, go.
I was just saying if you have children the baysha may not be the best location for you.
You may want to get out into one of the more residential neighborhoods.
Let's just say that.
Good advice, good advice.
And then a few times you've mentioned hills.
So how hillier we talking?
Well, you know, there's that competition between Porto and Queen Broth.
Where Porto seems to think they're hellier and I've been through most of Porto.
I've been here for two years and I have to say, "Queen Broth is hellier on the
cent as far as the 45 degree angle."
Exactly.
Yeah.
What are walking up the hills that we may not have as many as Porto.
But I feel like Porto is not as steep as Quimbr is and running hill.
It goes really, really high and then comes all the way back down to the baysha.
Yeah.
I think that's a plain dichotomy with Lisbon.
That will people say Porto is so hilly.
But it has a hills.
It's not like slight hills and then platoes.
Whereas you get to Lisbon and the grade, just like in Quimbr is like, "Whoa, we're going
way up hill here."
And so you have to what I remember from Quimbr as well is that they got their own hills going
on for sure.
Just stay down.
So I want to say...
I think that if you are coming to Quimbr and you have any mobility issues or challenges, it
may be something that is a challenge, but it is something that you can overcome with either
a bolt or a car or just taking it really slowly and maybe walking one way but not the other way.
If you're more comfortable walking downhill, you can certainly get back home with a bolt or
you know, your car or something like that or a friend, whatever.
But it's really a doable situation as long as you know that they are options fail.
And for someone with mobility issues or someone that doesn't want to encounter the hills too
much, what parts of the city would be best to live in?
Oh, boy, well, my first answer would be Santa Clara because over here we'd really have one
hill that takes us up to the Forum Quimbrat.
That's the mall over here.
But most of Santa Clara's very, very flat.
If you're looking to get elsewhere, I mean, there are parts of Quimbrat's solemn and
selfish, they're already at the top.
So if you know that you're going to be living on top of the hill and you have access to
a grocery store and a doctor and a hospital and all those things for life, you know, general
everyday life, then you know, hey, I can take a bolt down to the bishow or again, I can
walk down, take a bolt back or whatever it may be.
But if you're looking for a stroller friendly, I would say Santa Clara.
If you have severe mobility issues, I would say Santa Clara.
Okay.
Good to know.
So let's talk about prices because we're a shop at restaurants, bars, and you've been around
to lots of places around Portugal.
So how can you compare prices with like Porto and Lisbon to Quimbrat?
I would say as far as Lisbon and Porto, we have eaten and both locations in restaurants
and also little cafes.
I believe that no matter where you are, if you are looking to stick to that 10 euros a day,
you can find a breakfast for a couple of euros.
You can find a reasonable total stock for a couple of, you know, maybe four or five euro.
And then you know, you may kind of go over for dinner, but as far as, you know, sticking to
that 10 euros a day.
But you know, if you're looking for it, you'll find it.
So if you're looking for something that is upscale, you can find it no matter what location
you're going in.
On the whole, I think it may just be a euro or two less in Quimbrat, then it would be in
Porto or Lisbon.
So if you are looking to spend less on the whole, you know, you would probably do a little
bit better here.
The grocery stores, I feel also are a little less expensive as well.
If they sense a dollar depending on what you're looking at.
Okay, all right, good.
And then community wise, have you met at the locals or most of your friends, expats?
Like how do you meet people and what is the hangout scene there?
Well, you know, our Portuguese is not fantastic.
Most of course the ones are expats at this point.
But we do have some local friends.
And we did, my husband runs a group called Curious Knights of Quimbrat.
It's a Facebook page.
And we do some volunteer work within this city as far as we, you know, make these dates
for picking up trash.
We also did a pickup, not a pickup.
I'm sorry, we did this cleaning of the bridge.
The pageant and as bridge.
And we kind of created a little bit of buzz about giving back to the city.
We kind of also picked up a little flag for that for some people that were happy that their
taxes were going to this and that it was being done for free by a bunch of Americans.
But, you know, we were okay with that.
But, you know, it, you know, it, we, yeah, unfortunately.
But it did kind of spark an interest with the 20-somethings who saw this going on.
And they wanted to know how to join the group so that they could help.
But as far as the bridge, it was kind of, a lot of issues kind of came up around that.
So we kind of put it to bed for the winter, the fall in winter really.
And depending on whether the city is open to us doing it again, we may kind of try to do the other side of the bridge if they're open to it.
Okay.
So how do you do this?
How do you get in touch with people in the city to figure out if this is okay?
Well actually, Dave actually, my husband wound up having a contact within the city.
Regarding this issue, I can't remember what department he was in.
But because it wasn't like, oh, parks and rack, it was something where you were like really.
But yeah, he has the contact and he was the one who was emailing back and forth.
And I'm actually met with him on the bridge and they discussed what would be going on and showed him where the water was going to be located.
And we kind of told him how many people this would be and we wouldn't leave anything behind and we'd make sure that we did our best job without sort of interrupting people walking on a Saturday morning and enjoying their day.
We just kind of fit in as much as possible.
As far as connecting, it's really through the camera.
I believe this is the proper terminology and it takes a little bit of poking and frotting.
But we were super happy to be able to give back.
That's the whole purpose of curious nights of Quibras to give back to this amazing city that we love living in.
Yeah, that's so amazing that you're doing that little unfortunate that people are kind of like, what's going on here.
But hopefully you can navigate the red tape that is Portugal is everywhere, right?
But that's a great thing you guys are doing that.
And if anyone else who lives in Quibra or is planning on moving there, if they want to get involved in volunteering, they can just find you on the Facebook page.
I can join that.
Yes, it's Facebook page.
Curious nights of Quibra, it's kind of run by my husband, kicking everyone's in a while, help out.
Yeah, to be able to have about 300 members at this point split between mostly expats and not just American expats, expats from elsewhere.
And we have many members who are actual locals living here in Quibra.
Okay, great.
So it sounds like a growing expat community there.
Yes, another thing that Quibra, there is a group here.
We move on.
Sure, the name of the group.
It's before we move on.
Sorry, Kaylee, can you just say we're going to put a link to that Facebook group in the show notes?
So I have that.
Yeah.
And we'll go ahead and put a link to that Facebook group in the show notes.
That good, Dan.
And another thing that the city, or I don't think it's a city, I think it's a Facebook page group where they have gay nights and expats and locals come together.
And kind of struggle between English and Portuguese or French and Portuguese or German, Portuguese and play the games together.
And it's a really great opportunity for people to meet either expats or meet locals and have a really good time.
That sounds like a lot of fun.
That's great.
So then is there contact info for that group?
I'll find that information out and send it to Kaylee.
That would be awesome.
Thank you.
Yes.
Okay.
And that sounds so fun.
We'll put that in the show notes as well.
So as far as language goes, then you have a whole mix.
But how are you guys getting by?
Like, do you have to speak Portuguese there?
Is English good?
Like, how's that going?
Well, I would say, you know, if you have the basics, like, I'd love a cup of coffee or please may I have a cup of coffee.
Or, "Thank you.
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
Good evening."
You know, if you have some basics, you can kind of get by.
There's a lot of line-maint going.
There's a lot of sticking your hand out and showing what kind of change you have in your hand.
Then people will help you.
I have to say, as far as learning goes, there are different locations here.
There is the high school offers night classes and they are free that you could sign up for those.
However, I want you to know that there is no English spoken at that class.
You really dive into the deep end.
Yeah, absolutely.
So you may want to find yourself a tutor before you kind of head into that because it would be really great to know,
even just small things like, okay, now let's read this page.
You know, just get those little commands as far as hearing something from the teacher and knowing what you're supposed to be doing.
And I think probably it would be good to work with a tutor while you're in those classes.
But some people just work with tutors.
There's also another school here that offers a couple of classes.
It's called the International House and they offer sort of like a emergency.
I need to know how to order coffee.
I know I need to know how to order app.
You know, apples or something like that.
They do offer that.
I do know that they are looking into getting their accreditation.
So if you get through their classes, then you will get your A1 certificate.
And then if you get through their A2, you'll get your A2 certificate.
They don't have it yet, but they are looking forward to.
Getting that done.
Yeah, that's good for your citizenship.
I'm sorry.
That's good for your citizenship.
Yes, that's if you're looking to pursue a passport here in Portugal.
Yes.
And then Med Cross was in.
Yeah, there is a option as well.
I believe there are online classes and also in person with the red cross as far as learning Portuguese.
And if you're coming over and you have a job, the red cross actually has a specific class just for people who are looking to improve or learn their Portuguese for work or business.
Okay, so options.
And I think I've heard that you can take lessons at the university as well.
Is that something that you know of?
That is.
And you talk about jumping into the deep end.
I do believe that they have more English for their A1 classes, but they move at a much rapid pace.
So if you're okay with that, then yes, absolutely.
However, I am not clear on the certification for that.
That would be something people would have to look into if you're looking to get your certification for your Portuguese passport.
Okay, so sounds like options for different levels and you have whether paying non-paying certificates not being certificate just to practice.
So that's good.
Quimbra offers a lot of options for language stuff.
Yes.
And then so we've talked a lot about quimbra and you have something that you do with your spare time as well.
Don't you?
I do actually. Since we moved here, I wound up sort of falling into pet sitting.
And so if people are here and they're looking for pet sitting, I, if I'm not busy with someone else.
Yeah, I definitely do pet sitting house sitting.
I go to your home so that your pet is not kind of put out of sorts.
They're in their own environment and they're in their own location so that they are more comfortable.
And I am really the only thing that is new to them.
And so they will feel much more comfortable.
I do like to meet you in advance, meet the pet to make sure that there is, you know, no issues of the pet likes me.
I feel comfortable with them. And yeah, that's pretty much it.
Yeah, and you guys have actually been our place and you've taken care of Pincho for us. So you go outside of quimbra.
It's not just quimbra.
True. Absolutely. We go out to other locations.
Faged a door was that one location where I had ridden the scooter and we were actually pet sitting for that as well.
It's may, I do not own a car so it makes it a little more difficult if the person is not on a train line or a bus location.
I do have customers who will come and pick me up if they have a car and I will go to their home and stay.
It's wonderful if they have a car that is not stick ship so then I can drive it.
I probably did that in my younger days, but do I remember it? No, it's one of those cases of if you don't use it, you lose it and I've lost it.
So.
Yeah, if you don't have an automatic car or a mall in.
Awesome. And then if people want to get in touch with you, how do they do that?
Yeah, you can find me at a higher standard pet care and that is on Facebook.
Okay, and we'll put that in the show notes too.
But I did want to ask you, do you feel like since you're kind of in the pet industry?
Do you feel like Coinbra and Portugal overall is a pet friendly?
I believe that Portugal is very pet friendly in pretty much every location that I've been in.
I didn't really experience the dog's way potty on sidewalks until I got to port to.
Sorry.
Now you don't have to apologize.
It's that a true.
It wasn't everywhere, but it was more so there than Lisbon.
I have seen it in Lisbon. I'm sorry, port two seems to be worse about that than Lisbon is.
And more recently, it seems that we are experiencing a little bit of that here in Quimbra.
So I was very surprised because it wasn't something that I experienced.
I don't think in the first year we were here.
Maybe it was two years and a half.
So I don't know if it's because certain people are moving in or maybe I saw it on the Santa Clara bridge.
That I was walking in the sidewalk.
There was a dog at Gondola restroom.
And I was surprised. I think I don't know if they just weren't prepared.
And so therefore they didn't pick it up or they just didn't have a baggy.
But it is showing up more and more often here.
I clean up your dog poop people.
Exactly.
Yeah, so it's like you know.
Yeah, in smaller towns that we've been to, I have seen both people who kind of walk their dog and keep moving on.
And I've also seen people who are starting to carry little bends with them and picking up after their dog.
So it may just take a little bit of time for everybody to sort of catch on with that.
And there may be people that never catch on to that.
True, true.
Hopefully that's something that does catch though.
Very clumsy.
And then what about like a cafes do people will people sit outside with their dogs or how common is that.
And when you're talking about how common is that in Kwembra.
Yes, it's actually very common here to have dogs sitting at cafes outside of bigger restaurants, not just cafes, but larger restaurants.
And they are the waiters and owners are very accommodating.
They will bring out water and make sure that the dogs water is filled up.
You know, the dog was very thirsty and you've been there for an hour.
So they'll come back out and try to fill the water up the dog.
They're also very engaging.
I mean, I'm sure you run into people who are not.
But my experience has been that most people, the servers and the owners or, you know, whoever in the restaurant are very engaged with dogs and asking,
"Can I pet them? Is it okay? Are they nice?" that kind of thing.
And yeah, they're engaging and have many friends who have dogs and they know where to go because they know that their dog likes that particular server or that particular owner.
So they'll go to those locations.
Yeah, yeah, very nice.
That's cute.
Awesome.
Okay, so direct things up any advice information for anyone who is thinking about moving to Kwembra.
Well, I would say the most important thing at this point is securing a place to stay with so many people now discovering Portugal on a whole but also Kwembra.
And what a beautiful vibrant city it is that that might be the most important thing is securing your apartment or home or whatever you're looking for.
That do know that pricing, you know, as with everywhere else in Portugal has been going up whether you're buying or renting.
So beware to maybe spend a little more than you're thinking and just make sure that you kind of come in and if you have to do it online, make sure that you get somebody who can give a video call and give you their time so that you can see what you're getting into and make sure it's large enough for your needs.
Make sure that the location if they can go outside and show you where it's at that would be fantastic.
And then also making sure that you're in a location that's right for your family or you as a couple or if you're young you want to be near.
You know, the bars and the nightlife, you know, stay in a certain location if you have a family and you want to quite at night.
Then make sure you're in the right location ask lots of questions ask about the locations ask about, you know, graduation night ask about, you know, October is it crazy loud here in October at that particular location for that apartment and you know just come here and enjoy.
And you can be respectful understand you're in a new community or in a new country and be open minded.
Awesome, Janine, thank you so much such great stuff about Greenbird today.
Fantastic. Thank you so much for having me.