Nº 24 – Portugal, Covid-19 and me

Tuesday, the 28th Abril 2020

Message in a bottle by Stefanie Kreutzer

Today I celebrate a very special anniversary. Exactly 25 years ago, I came to Portugal. Here, I feel at home and very comfortable. My friends used to ask me why Portugal and not Spain, France or Italy? My answer was then, as now, very simple. Portugal is a colourful, peace-loving country. The long period of dictatorship is a thing of the past. Portugal has been a strong democracy for 45 years. Should the economy collapse, I’ll become self-sufficient, grow potatoes, tomatoes and much more in my garden. Food grows here all year round – on the trees and in the fertile soil. And I get my fish from the sea.

It would be much pleasanter if the Algarve didn’t depend on tourism. It’s so nice and empty. I never imagined that Portugal’s economy could actually collapse – and all because of a virus, and, what’s more, on my birthday. I feel like the leading actress in a science fiction film. The airport has been closed for weeks. There are no trains running anymore. I can’t drink my coffee anywhere, except at home. And this weekend, once again, I’m not allowed to leave the district where I live. All for my own safety. And yet…

…there are two sides to every story. The pandemic gives me a lot of time for things I couldn’t do before. I enjoy the time I spend working in the forest and garden, I enjoy watching the seeds sprout and the vegetables grow. The tomatoes, potatoes, onions, lettuce and rocket are all planted, but fishing won’t be a part of this life. The chicken coop is being planned and we’re buying two goats as well. There’s enough vegetation for them to graze on, and we’ll be spared the noise of the strimmers from now on. In the future, I’ll make my own yoghurt, curd and cheese from goat’s milk. We only shop in the village. If we can’t get something, we improvise. Time stands still, my workplace can wait, the earth keeps on turning and is recovering from its long period of exploitation. The air is clearer, the water cleaner, and the animals don’t have to be afraid of the hunters. Curious, they’ve been coming into the villages and up to the house.

Ten years ago, I applied for Portuguese citizenship and now I have two passports. I’ve finally arrived where I want to be, I’m at home now, where I feel good. No one can choose the country they’re born into. But, at some point, we become more mature and are faced with a choice. I’ve been living in Portugal for 25 years now, I speak several languages and have friends who come from Portugal, as well as from many other European countries.

I’m happy when I step out of my garden and unexpectedly find mushrooms for lunch (see photo) along the wayside. I no longer want to imagine living in a city, trapped amid the concrete. I live in the countryside – and, despite Covid-19, this means that I live in freedom. Because my thoughts and my words are free.