I braced myself for a chaotic, exhausting week—but surprise! It turned out to be pretty great. Sure, my social battery was running on fumes by the end, and yes, I needed the weekend to recover, but I got to work from the office, catch up with colleagues, spend time with friends and family, and even explore a new city: Antwerp! Oh, and I also brought home a little souvenir… the flu.
But beyond that, I gained some fresh insights, made great memories, and ate way too much good food. Ready to dive in?
My workweek (Monday–Thursday) was packed with meetings at our gorgeous office—a literal castle in Wijnandsrade. And guess what? The weather in The Netherlands was actually better than in Portugal for a change! I made the most of it by soaking up the sun and handing out hugs like they were part of my job description.
Between meetings, I squeezed in one-on-one catch-ups, making sure my schedule was filled to the brim with lunches, dinners, and deep conversations. Every single day was a mix of work, food, and socializing—like a corporate version of speed dating. As much as I loved the quality time, a small voice in my head kept whispering: “Get back to the gym! Eat a vegetable!” And honestly… fair point. I’ve worked hard to feel comfortable in my body, and weeks like this make me feel like I’m taking a few steps back. But hey, was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Without a doubt. Am I eating chicken and rice first thing Monday? You bet.
One of my favorite moments was dinner with a former manager. We only worked together for about a month and a half before I moved to Portugal, but we instantly clicked. Over dinner, we talked about everything—vulnerability, relationships, past traumas. It was one of those conversations where you leave feeling lighter, seen, and genuinely connected.
At the end of the night, he looked me in the eyes, gave me a compliment, and hugged me. And I don’t know why (yet), but that moment meant everything. It left me buzzing with confidence and self-love the entire drive home.
Just so I won’t forget, I’m going to sum up all the restaurants that I’ve eaten at during the week right here: Brasserie Wijnandsrade in Wijnandsrade, Peil5 in Schinnen, Smaak & Vermaak in Heerlen, La Bonne Femme in Maastricht, Nuoc Mam in Antwerp, Pastificio Da Lory in Antwerp, and Break Point in Antwerp. Yes, I ate well. No regrets.
I’d never really explored Antwerp before—aside from an abandoned building I once photographed years ago—so I was excited to wander the city with a good friend. We spent the night there, and the next morning, I went into full-on shopping mode. And wow, the city is stunning! The architecture? Chef’s kiss. The number of shops? Dangerous for my wallet.
Speaking of Antwerp, did you know the city’s name comes from a wild legend? A long time ago, a giant named Antigoon demanded tolls from people crossing the river Scheldt. If they refused, he’d chop off their hand and toss it into the river. But then, a fearless Roman soldier named Brabo stepped up, defeated the giant, and—plot twist—chopped his hand off and threw that into the river instead! And that, my friends, is how Antwerp (Antwerpen) got its name—because “hand werpen” literally means “hand throwing” in Dutch. The more you know!
By Friday, it was time to fly back to Portugal. And the moment I landed, something hit me—I really missed the sea. There’s something about the endless horizon in Lagos that gives my mind so much space to breathe. Being in The Netherlands, I felt a bit… boxed in. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but as soon as I was back near the ocean, I just felt lighter.
To celebrate being home, a friend and I went on a sunset walk near Praia do Canavial, and it was exactly what I needed. The perfect way to reset. She knows the best spots in town.
Next week, I have a few days off (finally!), and a friend from Belgium is coming to visit. Time to play tourist again—if the weather cooperates. Fingers crossed!
