Author: ebemiede2

I do blog about different matters that interest me.

A Portuguese wedding

20. July 2017

Few days ago my friend got married.

This was the first wedding I attended in Portugal and I looked forward to it. What a day! The sun was shining and the weather as good as anyone could wish for.

Here in my country there is a custom not to start anything on time. A relaxed atmosphere it is.  I have a habit to be early and as you can imagine I came 20 minutes early. There was no one at the place, not yet.  Soon the people who were preparing everything began to arrive. The musicians, the decorators and so on.

Eventually of course the guests arrived one by one or rather family by family. Young and old together. Everyone in their best dresses. People stood in small groups talking and enjoying the wonderful day.

The groom came in a shiny black car, decorated with red roses and with him his family.

The tradition here is that we kiss when we meet. The men shake hands but the women get kisses. I found this rather strange at the beginning but now after 6 years I am used to the culture and accept it.  Although I have to admit that when a man shakes my hand I feel like being accepted into the community.

Because the weather was wonderful the brunch was served outside in the beautiful garden of Quinta das Janelas in Coimbra. Everyone was hungry, or so I imagine. The Portuguese eat a lot and enjoy their food. Even I, who usually don’t like the food enjoyed it.

When we had eaten the group began to move towards the house. Now we waited for the bride and her family. The talk was like whispering, not loud, just anticipation in the air.

The car arrived and my beautiful friend and her family came out. The bridesmaids and the flower girls were ready. The priest had arrived some time ago and the groom was waiting at the altar. The altar was a table and behind it a beautiful wall with  running water.

The brides parents escorted her and I cried. This was a moment I would never forget and it moved me deeply. I was not the only one who shed a tear when they walked after the red carpet and into the new future.

What a day.  This is just part one of the story. There is more to tell and I will soon.

Hulda Björnsdóttir

Bara til þess að láta íslenska vini vita

20. júlí 2017

Nú er ljótt í efni.

Konan farin að blogga á ensku og þarf að læra upp á nýtt.

Ég fullyrði að moggablogg er einfalt eða mig minnir það. Man ekki betur en ég hafi bara skráð mig inn og byrjað. Kannski hef ég þurft að gera eitthvað meira en það gleymt.

Fyrir ykkur sem ekki lesið ensku þá er þetta svona.

Ég hef undanfarið, og ætla að halda því áfram, bloggað á íslensku en þar sem ég á fullt af vinum sem eru ekki íslenskir og þeir hafa verið að kvarta þá verður þetta blog fyrir þá.

Hér verður ekkert um íslensk vandræði eða þannig. Hér ætla ég að skrifa það sem kemur upp í hugann hverju sinni og stundum einhverjar sögur sem skjóta upp kollinum.

Vinur minn í útlöndum sem hefur hjálpað mér og hvatt mig sagði mér að ég gæti bloggað á ensku á mogganum en ég vil það ekki.

Ég vil halda þessum tveimur aðskildum.

Semsagt, ekkert breyst hjá íslenska blogginu. Bara bætt við einu á ensku um allt annað.

Ég þarf að halda íslensku kunnáttunni minni við og það geri ég með því að blogga á málinu.

Kannski kemur svo enn eitt á Portúgölsku í framtíðinni. Hver veit.

Bestu kveðjur og knús til allra.

Hulda Björnsdóttir

 

My first blog in English

20. July 2017

Good morning.

Finally I got my blog up, the one in English.

This one is for all my foreign friends and I have been postponing it but now its here.

I am going to write stories here, everything that comes to my mind. I will also share this blog on my Facebook page and those who are my friends there will see my thoughts.

Today I have been contemplating about the wonders of live and how great it is just to breath. There are all kinds of quick solutions but nothing is like just enjoying the beauty of everyday.

I don´t take my days for granted. I am grateful each and everyone. Well, here I am again about gratitude !

In my little village, here in Portugal, the weather is fine, not too hot but the sun is shining. I have seen in the news how a terrible rain has been hammering on my dear Chinese friends. When I see this my heart jumps. What about my students? Are they ok? What about my friends, are they well, and their families?

Then I saw the other day that in India it is also raining a lot. Are my friends there safe?

My friends in America, are they ok? So many questions when I see the weather news.

So, today you will just enjoy seeing me here and reading my first blog in English. I hope you are all well and look forward to share with you my endless adventures.

Hulda Björnsdóttir