Sao Miguel: Day 4

Originally, this was going to be the day we left Sao Miguel.  Instead, my wife, daughter and I decided to fly to Lisbon (leaving the following day) for a short stay but my son had to fly home due to his work schedule.  Paul and Natérsia had no one coming to stay so we were happy to spend another day in their lovely home.  I booked seats on a SATA Air Açores flight to Lisbon and an Airbnb for a place to sleep.  We looked forward to visiting a new city.

We had an early rise, loaded up in the morning darkness and drove to the airport.  The line at the ticket counter wasn't too bad.  After my son checked in we went to Go To Cafe and ate breakfast.  Give it a try.  The meals and coffee were good.  We said our goodbyes and he went through security and to the gate.  We waited at the airport for him to board before leaving the airport.  To pass the time we shopped and caught up on social media.

I went to a SATA counter and inquired about our flight the next day.  I was advised I could check in at a kiosk ahead of time.  I decided to do so so we would have one less thing to complete the next morning.  Once our son sent a message he was boarding, we departed for the car.

I made a mistake about parking at the Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II Airport:  You get a ticket when entering the parking area.  At the time I presumed I would either give the ticket to someone manning a ticket booth or insert it into a reader that would also accept a credit card.  Wrong on both counts.  When we tried to leave, I tried in vain to get the machine to read the ticket.  Finally, we went back into the terminal to an information desk.  You pay for parking in the terminal prior to leaving.  The desk for this is on the east wall in the arrivals area. Once paid, the ticket lets you out of the parking area.

Error message when you don't pay for your parking before trying to leave

We decided to explore Ponta Delgada a little.  We drove downtown and found a pharmacy that was open.  (Most places were still closed.)  My daughter wanted to buy something there.  I parked the car and my wife and daughter shopped a bit.  Once this was done the girls wanted to walk around.  The streets were still largely empty but we found a square and a church and snapped some photos.  We took a different street to get more shots.  Then we returned to the car.  Here is another tip when visiting Ponta Delgada:  When you park in cities and towns, look for a parking kiosk to prepay your parking.

Had we simply shopped at the pharmacy we may have avoided a parking ticket.  I hoped it was a simple fine I could pay.  (I sheepishly advised Paul of the ticket later in the day.  He laughed.  I had the option to pay online but had trouble doing so.  Ultimately, I gave Paul cash to pay for us.)

I didn't mention it before but we drove by a ceramics factory the previous day.  My wife wanted to return.  It was a quick trip to Cerâmica Vieiraand we briefly walked through observing the artisans add beautiful touches to various cups, plates and vases.  We purchased a few items before leaving.

By this time it was nearing lunch and my daughter wanted to see a particular beach in Porto Formoso.  We decided to eat while we were there.  Like normal, the streets were narrow in the part of town we drove too.  Fortunately, there is a free parking lot a block from the main street.  By this time it was raining so we ran down to a restaurant we wanted to try.  Mare Cheia is a sweet little spot with excellent food and great service.

My wife and daughter wanted seafood but I had a taste for beef.  I wish I had snapped a shot of the platter the waiter brought out to us.  My wife and daughter chose the fish they wanted to share from the 3 or 4 displayed.  We took our time eating in hopes the rain would stop.  Fortunately, it did and we walked down the hill to the beach.

Due to the weather, the beach was abandoned.  We walked out to the surf and got our feet wet, took some photos and walked back to the car.  It was still early in the day but we decided to return home, relax and get ready for Lisbon.

Marriage and Parenting

As a father of four and being wed for many years, I want to share some thoughts about marriage and parenting. 

Marriage

1        Do not marry someone because you love them.  Now that I have your attention, let me clarify.  Too many people marry someone because of how that person makes them feel.  They feel a tremendous excitement being around him/her.  The truth is what they feel is a combination of w things.  The first is you are both on your best behavior.  Everyone wears the façade of caring, compassion, and gentleness early in relationships.  It will fade with time.  Also, early in relationships you are filled with happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.  As time wears on, these will too. 

2        Sex has a way with making you confused about who you love when you shouldn’t love them.  This is largely because of the point I just made.  Whether you have religious convictions or not, having sex with someone ties you to them.  I realize some people can sleep around and they feel nothing but the reality is you aren’t making your life any easier.  Sex outside of marriage causes more problems than it removes.

3        If you are married, you WILL have marital problems.  I’ve always considered it this way:  If you have siblings and grew up in the same household with the same parents, I guarantee you fought with your siblings.  What makes you think life will be happily ever after when you become married to someone who grew up in a different home with different rules?  Differences will occur.  You must decide how to deal with them.  As my grandma used to say, its ok to fight but you must keep talking to each other.  When you stop talking the real problems start. 

Having babies

1        Sex is the easiest part of having babies.  In reality, parenting is a full time job as long as your kids live in your house.  Nevertheless, here is something I want you to consider.  Every child you raise has a impact on the world.  Yes, some more than others but armed with that knowledge, how do you raise kids?    For my wife and I, at minimum, we wanted our kids to influence the world around them in a positive manner.  I want them to be adults who help those in need.  Personally, I hope they help the widows, orphans, poor, imprisoned and forgotten people on the world.  If everyone did that, wouldn’t you agree the world would be a better place. 

2        You are the adult.  I see many parents give into every whine and whim of their children.  My mom used to say she couldn’t stand whiny child.  She would rather hear a child cry than whine.  If I wanted to whine, she would spank me so I would cry.   Now before you think my parents abused my siblings and I, I can honestly say I only remember being spanked twice.  My parents knew spanking wasn’t necessary to discipline me.  Since you are the parent, start parenting.  You children should never run you or your household.  Make them behave according to your rules. 

3        Since your job as parents is to prepare them for living their own life, include your kids in household chores.  Do it early but according to their abilities.  If a child can take something from a box and throw it on the floor, they can throw it back into the box.  When my kids were small, I made their school lunches every day.  Then one year I told them I would make the sandwiches but hey had to get their preferred drinks and snacks.  They knew where everything was so it wasn’t difficult.  The next year they also had to make their sandwiches.  They also learned to vacuum the floors, make their beds, wash and fold clothes and clean the kitchen and bathrooms.  Yes, we often cleaned the kitchen and bathroom again when they weren’t looking but they got better and better.  I believe it important you help your kids be successful in life.  Household maintenance and management will be required as long as they live.  Teach them young.

I hope these thoughts help.