Because there is crime in Portugal (it's not a paradise...), I'll place some ocasional news about the subject here. Seven people were convicted to prison (7Y9M to 16 years) for a total of 36 robberies. They robbed houses, with old folks inside, and businesses, perpetrated in the districts of Coimbra and Aveiro in early 2022.https://www.jn.pt/3644566357/sete-dos-15-arguidos-do-caso-teia-dourada-condenados-a-prisao/

This month is celebrated the 500th anniversary of the birth of the most famous portuguese poet, Luís Vaz de Camões. For that reason, the Lisbon Metro signed a partnership with Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal (Portugal's National Library), so Metro travellers can have easy access to his poetry. Lisbon Metro placed posters with QR codes that allow you to listen to excerpts from Camões' most emblematic poems, performed by actor André Gago. This initiative invites customers to rediscover the richness of Camões' work during their daily journeys. https://24.sapo.pt/vida/artigos/poesia-de-luis-de-camoes-tambem-vai-andar-no-metro-de-lisboa

"Mais vale saber que haver e dar que receber" It is better to know than to have, and to give than to receive

Even after 8 years in Portugal (we celebrated last Friday), I still hesitated as I stepped up to the WC in the restaurant. Some years ago I ended up in the IKEA women's toilet, misunderstanding the 'S' (or 'M') on the door, and I will never forget the look on the ladies' faces, as a I emerged from a stall, having entered an empty 'casa de banho'. There's confusion, and there's old habits too. Like nearly getting into the WRONG side of the car to drive, only yesterday, even after all these years of driving in Portugal. Learning a new language and adjusting to the culture is a gradual process! We need to stretch ourselves AND be kind to ourselves, as we adjust and settle in. Here's something that might help with a bit of a giggle (AND here's a little help in the CLASSROOM, if you want to push yourself and make your Portuguese POP!)

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-09-19/study-on-the-effect-of-alcohol-on-learning-foreign-languages-wins-ig-nobel-prize/887070