Miss me? I've been out for two weeks on a much-needed holiday vacation in Portugal. During that time, I was in absolute radio silence -- no calls, no texts, no emails, no Internet -- which is why you've not heard from me. This cutting-off from the Internet and all its trappings was a bit disconcerting at first, since I've come to rely on my smartphone more than I'd care to admit. But all in all, the trip was an amazing experience, and all the more so since my phone sat dead in the drawer for the whole time.
During my stay there, I've learned firsthand that the Portuguese culture is a vibrant, welcoming one. The food is great, and there are cafes on practically every corner where you can sip an espresso with the locals.
Even more striking is that the Portuguese are nothing if not practical, and this is evident in their language. For instance, the city of Porto, (which means "port" and was so named for the port in the city), the town of Batalha ("battle", named for the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385), and the region named Trás-os-Montes, which literally means "behind the mountains." Heck, I even met a family whose pet dog was named "Cão" -- in other words, the dog's name was "Dog."
Now that I'm back and settled in, I'm gearing up for 2014. Last year saw the release of The Gullwing Odyssey in both e-book and paperback formats, and this year will see sequels. Until then, be sure to check in every Friday for updates, news, and any other random thing that may occur to me that I may deem blogworthy.
All the best for 2014!
During my stay there, I've learned firsthand that the Portuguese culture is a vibrant, welcoming one. The food is great, and there are cafes on practically every corner where you can sip an espresso with the locals.
Even more striking is that the Portuguese are nothing if not practical, and this is evident in their language. For instance, the city of Porto, (which means "port" and was so named for the port in the city), the town of Batalha ("battle", named for the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385), and the region named Trás-os-Montes, which literally means "behind the mountains." Heck, I even met a family whose pet dog was named "Cão" -- in other words, the dog's name was "Dog."
Now that I'm back and settled in, I'm gearing up for 2014. Last year saw the release of The Gullwing Odyssey in both e-book and paperback formats, and this year will see sequels. Until then, be sure to check in every Friday for updates, news, and any other random thing that may occur to me that I may deem blogworthy.
All the best for 2014!
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