Our August Get-together will take place at the brand new BURN SOCIAL CLUB (next to Czar Ice bar).
Each night has its own theme. That evening we are invited to stay for their Latin Elegance Salsa night which starts later that evening – and includes free salsa dance lessons for those of you who are interested.
Of course we will have exclusive access to the entire venue.
Food is served at this venue featuring light fares, flatbreads and signature dishes.
To enter this brand new venue, please use the entrance to Czar Ice bar, located on the second floor and go towards the back where the entrance to Burn Social Club is located…
DRESS CODE: Collared shirts (for Gentlemen) and appropriate shoes and dress required for this upscale venue.
Please remember to invite all your international and like-minded friends.
Salutations,
David
Atlanta Eurocircle
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/atlanta-event/2015/07/Atlanta-BurnSocialClub.jpg10591600Kaisa Kokkonenhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngKaisa Kokkonen2015-07-28 03:14:102022-01-10 21:41:31Atlanta – Aug 05 2015
This is a night when all EuroCircle members invite their friends, Europeans, and expats, to introduce them to our circle. This year, we have a new home at the beautiful Ritz Carlton, and we will gather in the main bar area for a night of cocktails, laughter, and style.
Our co-hosts:
YOANA KOLEVA, Bulgaria: Yoana arrived in Philly in 2006, to pursue her graduate degree in accounting. She currently works as a
tax associate in the Global Mobility Services practice at KPMG, and enjoys spending her free time traveling, exploring the city, and making new friends.
MARIJANA VUJKOVIC, Bosnia & Herzegovina: Marijana is a post-doctoral fellow in Bioinformatics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She finished her graduate studies in the Netherlands
NORA WIGAND, Germany: In Philly since 2010, Nora has lived, studied, and worked in 5 countries: Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico, and USA.
Nora works in marketing for food and beverage packaging company SIG Combibloc.
*****
Details: We will gather around the long table, in the main bar lobby (left side).
Dress: Stylish cocktail attire- we are European after all
Drinks: Cash bar with drink specials. Ask for our signature cocktail, the Eurotini
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Philadelphia-RitzCarlton.jpg4261000Kaisa Kokkonenhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngKaisa Kokkonen2015-07-23 21:48:192015-07-24 22:42:06Philadelphia – Aug 19 2015
It is so great to run into people who really LOVE what they do for living. Nadia is going to tell in her own words about her life, work and expat experience in NYC (and elsewhere). Keep reading…
WHO IS NADIA
My name is Nadia Storm, I’m from Denmark and currently I live in New York.
I was born in South Korea and adopted to Denmark, where I grew up with my Danish family. I graduated from high school in 2003; I spent the following 2 years working and travelling in my “home” country, experiencing the life in South Korea. I attended University of Southern Denmark in 2005 and chose to study Molecular Biomedicine. I’ve always been interested in how the body works, and often asked questions like, why are we different, why are some people sick and some not, and why is it (still) impossible to treat diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s etc.
TRAVELLING & LIFE AS AN EXPAT
Travelling has always been a huge priority in my life, and something that I really enjoy – so when I had the opportunity to do a part of my Master’s degree abroad, I chose to move to San Diego (California) to work at Sandford Burnham Medical Research Institute, while finishing up my Master’s degree. At the end of 2010 I went back to Odense to defend my Master thesis, and one month later I continued to Germany to initiate a PhD at Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and age-related diseases. I chose this institute because of they offered me a great research project, huge scientific freedom and a professional and awesome environment. The professor for which I was working for has a great name in Ageing research, and I had met him a couple of times while I was in San Diego. 3 and a half amazing years passed by so fast, and it was absolutely incredible! Cologne is a wonderful city, the institute is growing and the science is absolutely international high-class science! I was lucky during my time there, and my result were published in one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the World, so doors were open in all directions.
In January 2014, I interviewed at six different institutions in the USA; I wanted to go back to the USA to precede my career as a scientific researcher. In February I handed in my Doctor Dissertation and in April I was awarded with a German Doctor’s degree – with outstanding remarks. In August I left Germany and October 1st 2014, I began a new life as scientist at Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York.
WHY NEW YORK?
I chose New York because of the laboratory, the professor and the science – outstanding and very acknowledged in the field of ageing and age-related diseases, with a special focus on a specific cellular pathway that has been found to be very involved in biological ageing, and therefore also in diseases that are related to aged organisms.
I love New York because of all the opportunities here, and because it’s never boring. There’s always something to do, and there’s always something going on. Typically, however, I work a lot – so I don’t have too much time to enjoy the city. But when time allows, there’s always something up! And right now, it’s amazing that I can go to the beach on the weekends – feels like a small vacation every weekend!
New York is very different from Denmark – and from Germany. Everything is super expensive and the city is pretty chaotic and always busy! The Danish health care system seems like something coming from a different planet (I guess it actually almost does) and most nature is “fake”. But let’s just face it – New York is, despite the thousands of tourists, humidity close to 100%, bad public transportation and super expensive life style, absolutely amazing! There’s just something over the city! It’s great! I love it here!
THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY & WORK
The research community is also really really strong here – there are so many great schools and institutions gathered in a pretty small area, which increases the level as it attracts many scientists from all over the World. In my current laboratory, the level is super high, and people are working crazy hours – but they love it. We live to work – not work to live, which is something many of my Danish friends and family have a hard time understanding sometimes. I love my job and what I do, because it challenges me every day and because I get to do something. I’m part of developing, moving things forward and discovering. I’m very curious, and I always have a lot of questions – doing research I can ask some of these, and try to answer them myself. It’s simple – I’m just a nerd!!
ABOUT DENMARK
While being away from Denmark, I’ve realized how civilized and lucky we are in Denmark – and how happy we should be that we’ve a strong wellfare system, and that everybody has equal opportunities from the beginning. Everybody can go to the doctor, everybody can go to school (even higher educations) and you’ll get help if you lose your job, if you’re sick or if you get pregnant. Danish people, including my self, are spoiled and used to a high degree of service and a country that works – that’s something that you learn to appreciate more when you see other countries where it doesn’t work, and where there’s no help or support from the government.
I would like, if possible, to return to Denmark (or at least to Europe) at some point – but for now, I’m very happy where I am. I miss my friends and family from Denmark – and some special Danish bread, but other than that, there are so many other delicious and awesome things that perfectly substitute the things that I used to do and the things that I used to eat in Denmark.
I would lie, though, if I didn’t say that I miss Danish candy, Leverpostej, italiensk salat, Koldskaal, Karbonader and some other Danish food-things.
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/member-new-york/2015/07/Interview-NadiaStorm.jpg200200Kaisa Kokkonenhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngKaisa Kokkonen2015-07-21 22:26:402022-01-10 21:41:31Nadia Storm in New York: Danish Scientist Who Lives to Work, Not Works to Live
Hosted by Revolving Dansk – co-hosted by DANES IN NYC and EuroCircle.
JOIN EuroCircle at The Delancey Rooftop in the LES for our daytime party, where we will be rocking it Danish-style.
We will be serving our classic Danish pølse hot dog, as well as adding some Danish flavor with gourmet Lakrids by Johan Bulow and kicking it up a notch with hot peppers by Chili Klaus!
Invitation is by invite only, and only those on the guest list will be allowed entry.
Best,
Alexandra and the EuroCircle New York Team
Talking about the Danes in NYC, did you already “meet”NADIA STORM? A lovely Danish scientist in New York City who absolutely LOVES her job. Read more!
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/event-new-york/2015/04/20130627NY-thedl.jpg370610Alexandra Spirerhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngAlexandra Spirer2015-07-18 01:54:382022-01-10 21:41:31New York – Aug 02 2015
Join us at this beautiful rooftop for our Summer Rooftop Safari Party! Great music will be playing throughout the night.
Dress Code: Dress to Impress & Anything Animal Print (OPTIONAL and Not Required)
HINT: Check out the EuroCircle members’ Safari Across Southern Africa in Oct 2015 with Sherry Email Sherry Kumarfor more info on the trip.
Go To AFRICA TRAVEL PAGE for more info.
No Cover when you say EuroCircle at the Door
There will be $10 absolut drinks on special, as well as $10 champagne by the glass (make sure you get a stamp at the door to get these specials). Food also available for purchase.
Look forward to seeing you all on August 13th!
Best,
Alexandra, Sherry & the EuroCircle NY Team Members, please LOG IN with your email and password to sign up (if you are not a member yet, REGISTER HERE — it is FREE)
Please note since Facebook has restricted access to a larger audience, we highly recommend to sign up and RSVP @ the EuroCircle website and also invite others via Facebook. Email Alexfor ideas or to become part of team! Help is always appreciated. EuroCircle New York Page for past events, photos and more
About Empire Rooftop “A rooftop haven with stunning views.”
Located on the 12th floor of our distinctive New York City luxury hotel, Empire Rooftop & Lounge offers magnificent views of Lincoln Center as well as the Broadway & Columbus Avenue gateway to Manhattan’s Upper West Side
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/events-new-york/2014/04/New-York-EmpireRooftop.jpg345620Alexandra Spirerhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngAlexandra Spirer2015-07-18 01:52:342022-01-10 21:41:31New York – Aug 13 2015
Boulder, Colorado is supposed to be one of the nicest cities in the USA to live in especially if you like outdoor activities and are in technology. When I found out Jenni Stenman lived there I promptly asked her to tell her own words about her life and a bit about Boulder.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Jenni, originally from Helsinki, Finland, but now living in Boulder, Colorado, USA, with my spouse. We met in technical university and now both work in IT.
When and how did you decide to move to Colorado? Is it complicated to settle down there?
My spouse moved here in the beginning of 2014, and I have spent most of my holidays here since. I moved here quite recently in May 2015, but so far it’s been a fantastic experience with no trouble setting down – if you don’t count the US immigration procedures, which are not easy for anyone. Of course it helped that I had already had my “other home” here for more than a year and that this wasn’t the first time living in the US.
Have you ever lived abroad before? How many countries have you visited?
Before Colorado, I spent two years working in Luxembourg, which was preceded by 9 months in Georgia, USA. Earlier, I have studied a semester abroad in Czech Republic. So far, I’ve visited 45 countries – and 39 US states!
What do you like the most about Colorado?
Colorado’s outdoors are fantastic: the Rocky Mountains are right at our doorstep! Thanks to this, the atmosphere here is also very outdoorsy, with city residents often discussing the best camping spots, most beautiful hikes or their experiences climbing 4000m+ mountains. In how many big cities with over a million residents do people have the chance to go to the mountains every weekend? Couple this with a laid-back restaurant and microbrewery scene and 300 days of sunshine a year, and I’ve fallen in love.
How is/was the cultural shock? What are the main differences with Finland, your home country?
I spent a couple years in the US also as a child, so culture shock even when we moved to Georgia was pretty mild. There, I was sometimes annoyed or even shocked by car-centric culture, harsh political views so unlike ones in Europe, unhealthy living habits (like huge portion sizes) and a general lack of knowledge or even interest towards the rest of the world. In Colorado or at least in Boulder, I feel many of these points are not an issue, and we’ve sometimes joked with our European neighbors that we live in the most European city in the US.
Do you miss anything from Finland or Europe?
I miss family and friends the most and reconsider my decision to move abroad every time I miss a wedding, birthday, or some other milestone in their lives. From Europe, I sometimes miss multiculturalism, the buzz of languages and international mindset. And then there’s of course the food: Carelian pies, cheap French cheeses, rye bread… the latest “oh I so miss that” was when I saw a photo of liver casserole!
Any ‘memories of an expat’ you would like to share with us? Your best souvenir? Or maybe your worst experience?
My best souvenirs are friendships from all over the world. Especially Luxembourg was great for this, because more than half of the residents in Luxembourg City are immigrants or expats – which means I now have friends from all over Europe. Keeping in touch with people after moving away is the hard part, but thankfully with Whatsapp, Skype and Facebook, it’s easier now than 20 years ago.
Do you blog? For what reasons?
I write a travel blog, globecalledhome.net (or in Finnish, globecalledhome.fi), where I also talk about my experiences living abroad. I started them as a way to communicate with friends and family back home, but they’ve since evolved into so much more, and I now blog more professionally.
Which advice would you give to the other EC members who would like to settle in Colorado?
Go for it! There’s a popular bumper sticker here I often see on cars: Not a native, but got here as fast as I could. Most of the people I meet are transplants – either from some other state in the US or from abroad – united by similar lifestyles and a laid-back-but-progressive view of the world, and this has had a big influence on why this state has transformed into what it is at the moment. Just be prepared that the Front Range (Denver – Boulder – Fort Collins) is so popular that housing prices have risen much higher here than in many other parts of the country.
You can follow my life in Colorado and travel adventures on Instagram, and if you’ve got any questions yourself, feel free to tweet me!
This casually upscale designed venue and its bar is open to quench our thirsty appetite.
Paul’s Kitchen happy hour bar menu is all day from M-F, featuring globally inspired menu.
Complimentary valet parking.
New guests welcomed and please share the event with others.
Members, please LOG IN with your email and password to sign up (if you are not a member yet, REGISTER HERE — it is FREE)
Please note since Facebook has restricted access to a larger audience, we highly recommend to sign up and RSVP @ the EuroCircle website and also invite others via Facebook.
See you, Cheers Venere, Shahla, and Juliana Email Usfor ideas or to become part of team! Help is always appreciated. Meet EuroCircle Houston team
It is always great to interview people who really love what they do for living. Unfortunately not that many people are like that, Marke Liimatainen is a very fortunate young lady.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Marke, I’m 28 year old and I’m from the smallest village you can imagine, Tervo, Finland. There is less than 2000 people living in there, a lot of lakes, forests and not much to do. I live in Los Angeles, I moved there about six years ago and studied photography in Santa Monica College. After graduating I got a job from a local photographer’s studio and have been working as her assistant ever since. I also shoot my own projects when ever I can.
Did you always wanted to become a photographer?
No, not at all! I wanted to be a police officer, a cake baker and a writer. I became a photographer by an accident, really!
What happened?
Well, a lot of people told me I take nice pictures and I should consider doing it for living. When I was working as an Au pair in Culver City, California, my host family gave me my first dslr-camera and it really gave me a big push towards becoming a photographer. I didn’t know how to use it, so I decided to take a class in Santa Monica College. The teacher was amazing, he was so inspiring and he had the best stories, and I just started to get into photography more. After taking the class the teacher told me I should consider enrolling SMC full time. I talked with my host family, and they agreed. I though about it for a half second, enrolled and never regretted!
Is there any particular award or an achievement throughout your career that you are particularly proud of?
Even though I’m just getting started as a photographer, I have few things I’m really proud of. A photo I took was selected as the “best portrait” in my school’s photography exhibit. It was the first time I was ever “the best” of anything, and the level of photography in my school is very high. I couldn’t believe it when my friend told me. Second one was when I was selected as the “Best Mentee” by Young Photographers Alliance. Just to be selected to the program among hundreds of applicants was huge, and then being selected the best among all the amazing photographers….Again, couldn’t believe it. That was pretty cool!
Did any funny or exiting things ever happen during your photo shoots?
Yes, all the time! One of the coolest things was when I was able to bring models to this small airport, and we set up a secret agent type of a photo shoot. I had rented guns that looked real. We were doing the photo shoot in the end of the runway in front of a small airplane, running around with the fake guns while small planes were taking off and landing. Another funny one was re-creating Pinocchio with a modern twist. I had my models dressed up as drug dealer and a human puppet. It was a lot of fun to shoot, because the models were really good actors and I was literally rolling around in the dirty ground laughing.
What motivated you to move abroad?
Coming from a small town, I always wanted to see more. I remember being like 12 years old and reading these books about this young woman who went all sorts of amazing adventures. I wanted to be just like her and create my own adventures (the books were Katja-books by Ellinor Rafaelsen).
Where all have you lived abroad? What place was your favorite and why?
My first time abroad without my parents was when I was 17 years old and did an internship in a film workshop in Arhus, Denmark with my friend. It was such an amazing experience and I absolutely fell in loved with Denmark. After that, I lived in Hillerod, close to Copenhagen for a bit. Then I moved to Milan, Italy. I spent there almost two years, working as an Au pair. After that I still wasn’t ready to settle in Finland, so I found an amazing family from Culver City, close to LA and became an Au pair again. My favorite place will always be LA, I just have so many amazing memories from there.
What have you learned from living abroad?
Oh, so much! I leaned who I am and what I want to be when I grow up. I was just a kid when I left Finland, and I feel like I have been raised by all the people I have met during my travels. Of course I have always been able to call my mom back home, but I have also got second or third opinions from people from different cultures, which has been awesome. I feel like I would be a completely different person if I never left.
What is your secret to keeping a positive attitude while living abroad?
I am happy in LA. I feel like I have the best second family, friends and a job, and everyone is always supporting each other. If I ever feel down, all I need to do is talk to my absolute favorite person in the world, 8 year old girl I used to look after. She is super smart and really funny, and she always makes me smile. It is great to spend time with kids, because they have an amazing attitude and such an appreciation towards little things in life.
What´s the best place you´ve ever traveled to?
Death Valley was pretty amazing. And I love San Francisco. And this little town called Cefalu in Sicily, so beautiful!
Do you have a bucket list? Would you share with us a couple of things on that list?
Drive a formula one car. Skydive. Write a book. Visit Naples. Take a lot of amazing photographs.
Do you have a bucket list? Would you share with us a couple of things on that list?
I really want to stay in LA. I love my job, my boss is the best and I love going to work every day…who can say that?! I feel so lucky. I want tp become a better photographer, keep doing my shoots to stay creative. I am just happy here. Finland will always be a place where I grew up and and a place where I love to visit, but I feel like I am the happiest in Los Angeles. And that’s what life is really about, being happy, right?
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/articles-interview/2015/07/Interview-Marke-Liimatainen.jpg34942329Kaisa Kokkonenhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngKaisa Kokkonen2015-07-13 23:12:382022-01-10 21:41:32Marke Liimatainen – A Young Finnish Photographer in Los Angeles
I don’t recall anymore how I found out that Anu Patrakka from Finland lives in Porto area. I have never been to Portugal but my sister’s ex-boyfriend’s family spent a lot of time there. One of Finnish bosses was a super fan of Portugal, he loves “fados” – and of course a good port wine which comes from porto ( also known as Oporto in English). Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon, and one of the major urban areas in Southwestern Europe. The urban area of Porto, has a population of 1.4 million.
In 2014, Porto was elected The Best European Destination by the Best European Destinations Agency.
But let’s see what Anu tells us in her own words about her life outside Porto – and how did she get there from Finland.
Taking a leap to the other end of Europe.
Olá! I’m Anu from Porvoo, Southern Finland. I live in a small village near Vila do Conde in Northern Portugal, close to the amazing city of Porto. Before coming to Portugal I worked for more than 20 years in Finland as a secretary/executive assistant. In the end I got rather tired of the business world and decided that it’s time to do something else. I left my job, packed a few things and came to Portugal. Nowadays I live with my Portuguese partner/husband and his elderly mother on a real farm, quinta.
How did you end up living close to Porto, Portugal?
This is actually the second time I live in Portugal – I took a year off from work some 6 years ago, and spent 6 months in Aveiro and another 6 in Espinho. Back then I visited Vila do Conde and thought that if I ever come back to Portugal to live, I will live here. The city has everything; a river, the seaside with beaches, a small centre with a weekly market, an old part of the town with ancient buildings, nice restaurants and cafés and a metro connection both to Porto and the airport. It is calm and quiet except on market days, and safe enough. I lived near the centre of the city for a year or so before moving to the quinta.
How do you find the lifestyle in this village compared to your hometown in Finland?
Living on the outskirts of a small village is not such a quiet life as you would think. There’s plenty of action going on, with the neighbours doing this and that, farm animals running loose and the village parties. By now I know more people here than in the city in Finland where I lived for almost 9 years. Everybody knows everybody and everything about everybody, that is so true! The neighbours also help each other when needed, without being pushy.
The Portuguese health care works just as well as in Finland. I’m basing that on my personal experience as well as having seen how well my mother-in-law has been treated in hospitals. However, the financial crisis with its cost cuts has affected the health sector. In addition, it is mostly to the families to look after their elderly people, and you can have assistance at home only from the private sector – if you can afford it.
Most things in Portugal are clearly cheaper than in Finland; house rents, property prices, food, wine, dining in restaurants and clothing. Cars, combustibles, electricity and water are quite expensive. Public transport is quite good by my standards at least, but of course it depends on where you live. Even in the villages you have a grocery store or two, and an ambulant fishmonger, baker, vegetable seller etc. who stop round the corner almost daily.
The winters in Portugal are a lot milder than in Finland. However, it may be very humid, up to a point that is nearly intolerable. We have a machine to help with that. The temperatures may go below zero at night, and only the more recent houses are equipped with central heating. Even in winter, when the sun shines, it shines with all its force and there is a lot of light, unlike in Finland. I love that. In summer it may be very hot especially inland and in the South. Where I live, a few kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, it’s windy most days. The heat waves may last a few days, and bring along forest fires. They are actually the worst thing about summer, when there’s a lot of smoke in the air.
What kind of an advice would you give to someone considering a move to Portugal?
Travel a little bit in Portugal to choose the place where you want to stay. Ask suggestions from people who live here or have been here. Find out about the practicalities – e.g. it may be advisable to arrange a permanent travel (or health) insurance before you leave your country of origin. A housing agent will help you to arrange your first apartment, and a written rental contract is very useful when arranging the taxpayer´s number that is needed for almost everything.
It helps a lot if you learn to speak at least a little bit of Portuguese. With a basic vocabulary you can easily handle the everyday life, but you get so much more out of your life here if you speak the language.
At the moment Portugal is very attractive for at least Finnish pensioners; they don’t need to pay income tax for the first 10 years. The pensioners remain in the Finnish social security, hence Finland pays for healthcare in Portugal. To make all this happen it is needed a bit of paperwork, of course.
How do you make your living now – and how would you like to develop that career?
I work a lot but still need to work on generating some income. I run the household including the garden and kitchen garden, I do my bit in looking after my mother-in-law – those are the everyday “musts”. I write Normaali Irtiotto blog and have a photo blog PhotosAlma (in English) and a lifestyle blog (in Finnish). So far I’ve had one photo exhibition in Lisbon, and I need to find more use for my photos. I’ve written two unpublished (so far) novels, and will soon start working on a third one. I teach Finnish and work as a guide when asked to do so. And, if all this is not enough to occupy my days, I design and manufacture unique Milmanda handbags.
What is the essence of the area to you – what do you absolutely want your friends to see or feel about it vs. your country?
In this context I’d like to talk to you about Porto. It’s a marvellous city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Just the laidback atmosphere of it, the beautiful old buildings, little specialised shops, cafés, restaurants, the street artists and street art, the River Douro with all the bridges crossing it, the uphills and downhills of the city, not forgetting the abundance of port wine cellars on the other side of the Douro and the rabelo boats on the river. Porto bustles with life, every day, all day and night, and has everything to offer for a visitor; even beaches.
What do you absolutely miss from your country/elsewhere heritage …or elsewhere?
I miss my family and friends, of course… and some food ingredients, e.g. cholesterol-free baking fat, the variety of dairy products, rye bread and salmiakki, the salty candy. In the winter I miss the central heating and a bathroom with heated floor.
Knowing more about life and having lived with your decisions for a while (like work) – would you still choose to be there and why?
Yes, I would. This is my home. I´m daughter of Carelian emigrants, and I never had strong roots in Finland. I
remember well, when after the first few months in Portugal a friend took me to the Caramulo Mountains. We climbed up to 1000 metres and I looked down to the valleys, over the forests and the fields with sheep a-grazing and birds chirruping – I felt very strongly that I had found the place, the country where I belong.
What should everyone know and understand about Portugal and its culture?
I’m still learning to understand the Portuguese people – the people who explored the world and have a magnificent history, but today are one of the poorest countries in Europe. The essence of the Portuguese soul is in saudade, the longing for the times gone by. The melancholic fado songs are all about that.
The Portuguese welcome foreigners warmly were it just to visit here or live here. I’ve never met such sympathetic people anywhere. On my photo shoots people often stop and talk to me, curious about why I’m photographing a door knocker or whatever. They actually really talk to me, a perfect stranger – about their lives.
I feel very fortunate to live here. I may not receive such a nice salary, but in other ways my life has become a lot richer.
Thanks to Anu from EuroCircle.com for taking the time to write down here thoughts, you can see below how to connect with her.
Share this interview with your friends – and let us know if we could interview you via email for our website.
Contact us via email!
https://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/articles-interview/2015/07/Interview-AnuPatrakka.jpg640427Kaisa Kokkonenhttp://www.eurocircle.com/euro/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/eclogow1.pngKaisa Kokkonen2015-07-08 19:53:552022-01-10 21:41:32Anu Patrakka – A Finnish Freelance Writer/Artesan/Photographer Loves Her Life Portugal
ZWEITBESTER … is a cool bar & restaurant in the 4th district.
It is a place where you have great food within the ambient of always changing exhibitions of interesting artists.
It’s a real nice location to meet each other. Tom and I checked that place and tested all drinks and meals. 😉
Entrance fee: Just a smile 😉 Tuesday July 14th, 2015 at 19:00
