The views from my kitchen window in Darque, Portugal

 We relocated to Portugal from Canada just a little bit less than a year ago. Today is February 2024.

We are renting 2 bedroom apartment in little town named Darque, which lays across the Lima river from Viana Do Castelo, the northern beauty.

The famous Ponte Eiffel is in the front of our living room window. The Lima river and the mountains are  best seen from the kitchen window.

BUT, if I stop my story just right now, you will think: "OH, I wish to live here too!"

And if I stop my story on those beautiful views, I will be telling a fairy tale, not a real life story. 

Like do many people exaggerating the positive points and avoiding the negative to make the story more appealing.

There are more pictures from same windows, that show more realistic views. And the consequences of the real life happening.

The train tracks under the window: the trains go back and force, a bit loud, but not often.

But the Round Abound under the living room window with route to the Eiffel bridge across the Lima River to the Viana do Castelo is noisy almost every time of the day with different amount of noise and smell. Ambulances, fire tracks, motorcycles and everything in between.  

And if this is not enough, during summer month there one festival after another across the river with concerts till 12 pm so loud, that you could hear the words in the songs sometimes, fireworks starting at midnight and disco danse till 2 -3 am. Thanks God, not everyday single day, but often in the end of the week- Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

So sleep deprivation is a big stress factor, especially when you are 60 years old.

MY POINT is when renting the apartment in a new country, or just simply in any new place, it is worth to investigate the local culture, habits and traditions, by simply googling to see what local activities are and how far are you from the noise.

When we saw the view from the windows when we came to see the apartment for the first time for rent, we simply forgot about practical points- noise, no balcony and other small things.

We loved the views: the bridge looked interesting, river and mountains looked very romantic, and the walking distance to the ocean was appealing.

We still love the views! But do not like the noise and smell!

It is time to find a new place to live in!

              To see more shorts and videos about Portugal: www.youtube.com/@PortandSardines