On your visit to the Azores
posted by Deleted user in Azores forum
Graham,
Thank you for your accounting of your recent trip to the Azores. I know, last we communicated, that you were looking forward to the adventure, and I hope your disappointment was not too overwhelming...
Reading between the lines of your post, I sensed something of a keen disappointment, at least where the attitudes of the native Azoreans was concerned (towards strangers, tourists, ex-pats, etc). This hurts me, too, as I had high hopes of my visit/move there being 'rosey and bright', with 'friendly and helpful smiles and advice of locals' guiding me on my way... but then I realize that this attitude of being 'suspicious, withdrawn and dismissive' of outsiders can be attributed to almst ANY native populace anywhere in the world... even the small farm town I live in, here in Illinois, USA, can be a difficult place for a person or family to be 'new' in!
Things are tough all over, have been for centuries and will continue to be, and people are, by nature, territorial 'animals'.
I don't expect Sao Miguel, Pico, Terciera or Faial Islands (Azores) to be any different; in fact, I recognize, now, with your help, that it must be even harder for them to accept outsiders than most. They are small communities (in contrast to other global cities) and economic and class balance must be precarious. Really, why would they welcome an outsider/mainlander in who is going to, absolutely, take a job or home away from one of their own?
So I look at my coming adventure with newly re-opened eyes, and will work to not take anything too personally, keeping in mind how *I* would feel, were someone 'new' to come in to *my* town looking to stay longer than a short visit.I thank you for the balance of your accounting, as it's not ALL gloomy: I DO love 'mountain mist' and cool temperatures. As to rainy seasons, I've lived in parts of Mississippi in the US where it seemed to rain EVERY AFTERNOON around 4pm, without fail (and the air was ALWAYS around 98% humidity!), so it's good to know, beforehand, that this is a big factor in Azores climate. Will definitely bring my raincoat and galoshes! lol
I mentioned in another post, elsewhere, that I am disabled, and have several serious medical conditions, one of which that make it imperative I live in a COOL climate. My body's 'temperature thermostat' no longer works. I overheat easily, even on a cold day, and my body temperature usually runs a few degrees to ten over the average person's, so must relocate to an area where I can 'regulate' my body's temperature by adding or subtracting a sweater or two, NOT having to spend my life indoors behind an air conditioning unit! This is why I can no longer realistically even entertain the notion of visiting, let alone moving, to an area like Mexico, or even the US Southwest.
I've researched, and been advised by a doctor or two, to consider the Azores, and this is where I am now... Hope to visit this summer, late, about August...
Right now, my biggest concern is: WHICH island offers the best of everything?
Could I consider Pico, or Faial, or will the larger Sao Miguel, and its city Ponte Delgada, be my only practical choice?Thanks again, Graham.
Shea
PS: ARE you still thinking of moving to the Azores? Your post doesn't mention how your trip may have influenced, for bad or good, your long-term plans....?