The Algarve has been my home since 1986, when my family moved here from England. I was just ten years old at the time, and to say it was a culture shock would be an understatement. Coming from a small town in Yorkshire, where grey skies and drizzle were the norm, suddenly finding myself surrounded by golden beaches, endless sunshine, and a language I didn’t understand was overwhelming, to say the least.
At first, I missed everything about England—my friends, my school, even the cold weather. The Algarve felt like a different planet. The food was different (sardines and bacalhau weren’t exactly my thing back then, and I thought olive oil was revolting lol!), and the way of life was so much slower. Shops closed for hours in the afternoon, people spoke loudly and passionately, and I had to navigate an international school where kids came from all over the world. It was daunting, but also fascinating.
Over time, I fell in love with my new home. The beaches, the cobbled streets of old towns, the smell of grilled fish wafting through the air, and the incredible friendliness of the locals. I even picked up the language (albeit a little begrudgingly at first). Portugal got under my skin in the best possible way.
It was here in the Algarve that I met my husband when I was 16, and we’ve been together ever since.
Funny enough, those sardines and bacalhau that were so common in my childhood are no longer part of my diet—I became vegan a few years ago! But the memories of those traditional Portuguese meals still bring a smile to my face. Oh and I LOVE olive oil now!
And now, decades later, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The Algarve has shaped me in so many ways, and while I’ll always have a bit of Yorkshire in me, Portugal is where my heart truly belongs.
Have you ever experienced a culture shock when moving somewhere new? Let me know in the comments!
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