“Many times we are our worst enemy. If we could learn to conquer ourselves, then we will have a much easier time overcoming the obstacles that are in front of us.” – Stephan Labossiere
Covid-19 has not only complicated our plans for the year, but also amplified the insecurities we have. We had various trips planned to finish and furnish the house, get our habitation licence finalised, and sort out my residence visa. The missed trips resulted in none of it happening, and before we knew it, more than half the year had vanished.
With Michael holding dual citizenship, and the transition period for Brexit coming to an end on 31 December, he had to come to terms with the inevitable: walking away from a well paying job. From 2021 he has to, like me, physically live in Portugal for 6 months of the year, and although our dream has always been to live on the land, we have not quite reached the financial goals we were aiming for, and as a result, he has been questioning his ability to take care of our financial needs.
The demon which feeds on self-doubt has wreaked havoc in our house over the last couple of months, but we are both learning how to face it with courage and determination, as we are not prepared to lose what we have been working towards over the last three years. Neither living indefinitely in the UAE or returning to South Africa are options. And so, with our stress levels far too high, and too many unanswered questions and contradictory answers as to what I need in order to apply for my residence visa and what it involves, we finally decided to take the plunge and pay immigration lawyers to help with it. In a matter of days I signed a Power of Attorney, and contract with the lawyers, and made payment to them. At last it felt like we were getting somewhere.
I found a company in South Africa which deals with official documents, and so our Unabridged Marriage Certificate was sent off to be translated, apostilled by the Ministery of Foreign Affairs, and legalised by the Portuguese Embassy. My fingerprints have been taken at the South African Embassy here in Abu Dhabi and sent off to Pretoria for a Police Clearance Certificate, all of which should take about 3 weeks. Although I still have to take care of various other bits of paperwork, we have decided to wait for confirmation of my appointment with SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) before proceeding. And so, after a busy week, we are, once again waiting.
I’ve been keeping busy with learning new skills in preparation for living full time on our land, and sorting through all the stuff I’ve accumulated in my 9 years of living in the UAE. It is surprising how much one holds on to, but also how much one needs for a comfortable life. I don’t need stuff to prove my value, but I do love beautiful things, and although I am not particularly sentimental, much of what I own I bought on my travels. It has been quite an interesting process to realise what I would like to keep and why.
With most of my clothes in vacuum bags in a suitcase, and books and other belongings ready to be packed and shipped, all I now need is a date.
Written by: Jolandi
UPDATE: I received an email with the date of my appointment mere hours after I posted this. Set for 30 November, I now have a deadline to work towards. Yay!
Shame Guys, certainly Covid has disrupted many lives and its not over yet. You have made the right decision and between the two of you – you will survive in Portugal, don’t doubt yourselves and it will be OK. I hope that the date that you are waiting for comes sooner than later since Covid could strike again in the UAE and airports get closed again and also because you have made the choice and now time to move forward again. All the Best and look forward to your next installment. M
We hope so too, Monty. My biggest fear is the lockdown of countries and airports again. We trust we will be okay and able to leave when the time comes. I will definitely try to make my way to Portugal as soon as possible, and Michael will follow when he has wrapped up all the loose ends. I must admit that I am also looking forward to the next installment. 🙂 I hope you are well and safe amidst all this upheaval. – Jolandi
It’s the waiting that kills.. Just have to keep busy.. 😉
That is so true!
Jolandi your heartfelt writing drawing one into your dilemas frustrations and obstacles is so tangible. It is unbelievable that you have been living in UAE for 9 years……. time a fascinating unstopable motion.
This connection with material belongings is a fascinating one and its only when one moves home that one realises the quantity collected. Sentimental purchases from your extensive travels probably bring up vivid memories too.
Wishing you and Michael smooth sailing through the visa application procedure and all the bits to come. You guys have put so much energy into this dream and its all becoming a reality.
much love to you x
nanette
Time really is unstoppable, Nanette. Michael celebrated his 10 year anniversary of living in the UAE in mid-August. We really are very grateful for the time we could live here, but I am definitely ready to move on to new adventures, and Michael is definitely getting there. I luckily always try to buy things on my travels that I can use in daily life, so I am packing those. I must admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for hand bags, scarves/shawls, and recipe books . . . Well, I managed to get rid of one or two – the rest are coming with. 🙂 Thank you for your support. We appreciate it so much. Much love to you too. – Jolandi
What a leap into the void! I feel for you and Michael, as I’ve had to make similar decisions in the last 20 years. It’s not easy to give up a stable job and pull up stakes to move to a place where life might be better, though you’re never sure until you’re actually there. I think it was Thoreau who said if you built your castles in the air, all you need to do is put your foundations beneath them. Easier said than done! But I greatly admire your work to make your dreams a reality. I hope it all works out for you!
What an anxious time you have both had! I hope the rest of the visa application goes well.
I think you have made the right decision to just go ahead and start your life in Portugal despite not having everything quite as you would have liked. These are strange times and there are very few of us who aren’t worried about our finances! Once you have settled into your new home I am sure many of your worries will subside. You won’t be having to rush to get things done any more and your living expenses will be much reduced. It will be good to move in before the winter.
Best of luck!
Clare xx
Thank you, Clare. Yes, I think it is often better to just take the plunge, otherwise one will always come up with reasons why one should postpone it. You are so right – most people are worried about there finances these days. I think the pandemic has shown that no matter how well you think you’ve planned, life can always throw you a curve ball, and you simply have to adapt. We have a good chunk of savings that will help us get on our feet, but Michael also wants to build a workshop . . . But like you have pointed out, once we are living on our land there won’t be a rush anymore, and we’ll be able to do so much ourselves.
I got an email this morning with my appointment date (30 Nov), so now I can make concrete plans, and hopefully I can move around mid-October before winter sets in.
– Jolandi
I first read this blog this morning, and by the tie I got around to commenting I see your appointment date has been advised, so as you say, something to work towards. I’m not sure I can add much more to the other comments, than, stay the course, and good luck!
Thank you, Gwen. It is interesting how planning without a specific date in mind is so different from when there is. There is definitely an emotional component to the latter that is vastly different from the former. – Jolandi
My dear friend!
Thank you for sharing this latest update – apologies for being late, I am just catching up on emails. Everything has already been said (and oh yes, the financial worries!), so please let me add my best wishes that the appointment will go smoothly! You have so many friends rooting for you and Michael!!
Thank you for your kind words and good wishes, Takami. As always, we really appreciate your support. I find so much solace in the fact that we have people rooting for us, especially when it feels like my emotions are on a wild rollercoaster ride. – Jolandi
It feels like the world has slipped from its axis this year. Life is uncertain, things happen and we hurry up and then wait. We wake up not sure what the day will hold and yet we live with hope that the virus doesn’t take anymore lives, a vaccine or cure is found soon, that travel comes back and life will return to normal whatever that may be. Keeping you in my thoughts that everything slides right into place for you and Michael. Can’t wait for the updates.
Take care of yourselves,
Terri
I like how you describe the current state of the world, Terri. I guess the pandemic is really accentuating life’s uncertainties. We keep reminding ourselves of all the things we have and are grateful for – clinging to these, when the uncertainties feel a bit overwhelming. I always think that I’m good at embracing change. I’m just not so great with navigating the transition stages. Luckily I know that it will all be good in the end, as I’ve done this before and survived. 😉 Thank you so much for cheering us on. We really appreciate it. – Jolandi
Jolandi, congratulations on making the plunge to get professional assistance. Administrative processes can be such nightmares no matter what country. Funnily, you strike a chord with your comments about South African documentation. I have been trying to get my full long form birth certificate from Pretoria for years with no results. If you would be kind enough to share the name of the agency which helped you, via my email petakaplan@hotmail.com I would greatly appreciate it. With this South African birth certificate I can then finally be able to apply for a French passport due to Ben being French, which would be a great asset right now given that our current US passports are almost useless from a travel point of view.
Is your land in Portugal..? Clearly a new and exciting adventure on the horizon.
Peta
Yes, our land is in Central Portugal, Peta. After almost 3 years of rebuilding a small ruin on the land, we are ready to make the plunge and live a different life.
I’ve sent you an email with the information. Hope you come right quickly. – Jolandi
The adventures you have ~ there is nothing quite like having a dream and pursuing it, and I think it becomes more special when troubles arrive and it only makes you stronger (even with added doubt). You guys are great, and even with the chaos of this year it seems you’re closer to the dream coming true.
I think you are right. Dreams that are realised by overcoming obstacles always feel more rewarding. It feels so strange that, after almost three years, the day has finally arrived for me to make the move. It is amazing how I can feel both anxious and excited at the same time. 🙂 – Jolandi
How wonderful to have a date. Congratulations. Covid has unsettled so much in so many lives. I’m glad you can move forward now. I don’t envy you having to pack.
Thank you, Peggy. We are also glad that there is finally some movement again. It felt like this day will never come! Packing definitely has its own set of challenges. Especially seeing that I’m, once again, moving by suitcase. 😉 I’m getting rid of almost all my stuff (the most challenging part) and will mainly move with some books and clothes. We have no choice but to downsize, as our house is a proper tiny house. I’m not a hoarder, but I still have way too much stuff, which makes the sorting out somewhat challenging emotionally. – Jolandi
Well, it seems your date has arrived, Jolandi. How exciting and, simultaneously, unnerving. I’m sure there will be moments of anxiety and doubt, but I hope all will work out in the end for both of you.
Take care,
Tanja
Thank you for your kind wishes, Tanja. Yes, it is exciting and unnerving. BUT I am the eternal optimist who believes that all will work out well in the end. – Jolandi