O Hóspede 8

Boas,

Interrompo um longo silencio para partilhar um blog de um amigo, um blog muito especial, em português.

Ele é alguém...
... a lutar a mäe-de-todas-as-lutas
... com uma força interior exemplar
... com uma onda positiva contagiante
... um sportinguista (nao se pode ser perfeito!!)

Sem dúvida um blog para nos fazer pensar...

www.ohospede8.blogspot.com

Carpe Diem!

PS - This one had to be in portuguese

30 years old! (part I) - Guincho beach!

Comééééééé!!!

And finally the big 3-0 came across my path! To celebrate it appropriately, this was the time to go back to one of my favorite places in the world, Guincho beach, surrounded by many of the people that contributed to who I am today during the last 30 years, both family and friends and... ;)

So, as a result:
- 60 people showed up to celebrate with me!
- My sisters were, as always, key drivers of the party!
- Ana prepared a great surprise, completely unsuspected by myself, a fantastic album with photos and testemonies from friends since the childhood kids, to the current Madrid gang! Veeeery special!
(....)

This was THE celebration I had really wanted as it marked the beginning of the preparation of yet another transition phase in my life... More news to follow, as well as photos... It is getting late here!!

THANK YOU for putting up with me all these years!

Carpe Diem

Back to blogging (II)... Banus the cat!

Miau!

The situation is simple... My flat mate asks for us to have a guest for a week and half, because he has nowhere else to go...

And this is what showed up:
. Garfield's attitude;
. Tina Turner's wig (colour updated with her true age);
. A rug destroyer

... but if needed, the door is open for this cool cat! =)






Carpe Diem!

Back to blogging (I) - Xmas

Que hay!
First of all, my apologies for the false expectations left with previous posts... and in parallel, many thanks for the friends who have been kicking my ass to get this back to life...

This weekend is the perfect time, so it is time to begin with a couple of personal updates! Let's start wiiiiiiiith... Xmas! As you might imagine, was specially enjoyed during this year...

First... the new kids on the block!

Then the originals...

And this one... simply priceless...

Carpe Diem! REALLY!

NunoC

Argentina (part III)

Perito Moreno... a once in a lifetime experience!

Arriving...
Walking...

And then drinking!!

















And to close the experience... a whisky on Ice!

The pictures speak for themselves ;)

Carpe Diem!

Argentina (part II)

Then came the Patagonia trekking days...

Route 40 - one of the main symbols of Patagonia

Route 40 - Ooops...! At least it was in the final stop!!

The first trek in El Chaltén, up to Laguna de la Torre (yep... it is a glaciar in the back!!)

At night an AMAZING surprise, randomly meeting a portuguese friend travelling alone in Patagonia!!

Day 2 of trekking, now safely distant from the Fitz Roy peak... No need to get too tired!!

Stay tuned for more!! Incoming Iiiiiiiiice!!

Carpe Diem!

Argentina (part I)

Greetz,
First part of these vacations... All about the wedding and living Buenos Aires!



















First things first... A scent of Buenos Aires and it's typical dance... Tango!

Then... The wedding!



































A very flashy dinner table (better behaved than in Scotland'00 as key culprits were smartly separated!!)
High density of aussies... but apparently age brings wisdom as few "riotish" events were noticed!















Ernie and Fiona had their moments... different quality levels though!!
















Then came the weird hats... A crazy Argentinian tradition???

Enough for now... Tomorrow, more about trekking in the Andes and in a Glaciar!!! ;)

Que lindooooooooooooo!

Back to activity...

Hola!

Very special posting to mark the "definitive" return to normal blogging!

I am writing from El Calafate, a very touristy location in the middle of Patagónia, made famous for its proximity to Perito Moreno, one of the most accessible, and I dare say, spectacular glaciars of this world. How did I get here???

The answer is obvious... a Wedding! Ernie, a friend, got married and I was a part of the internationals that travelled from all over the world to be here in this special occasion. Still, and although a great experience, this hasn't been the key fact in my life for the past couple of months.

Finally the moment arrived of taking close contact with a very scary and powerful word affecting a very close family member... the word tumour... During the past 2 months, my family has been living difficult moments, having to deal of the uncertainties of a word that can result in all scenarios, from the best to the worst. During the past week, the final results of the operation that followed the initial diagnosis came out and the outcome was 100% positive :) ... the tumour was benign and has been completely wiped out!

I cannot describe the feeling of relief that I felt when I heard these news... A huge weight, fear. dark cloud, just disappeared from one momento to the other and a new sunrise was born! Dealing with the uncertainty was the worst part, but given the outcome, I guess it was a small price to pay!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! to whoever or whatever is out there making these calls...

The basic implication of this great news is that a previously booked trip to Argentina became possible and realistic again, so within 3 days I was crossing the Atlantic on my way to BA (Buenos Aires).

But this will be a theme for the next postings...

Che! Que lindooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Back from wherever I've been...

Uga!

Two months is too long even for the silly season... Wassup this side of Iberia???
- Nice holiday time in Portugal, with just enough of family, friends, beach, countryside, Lisbon, good food and good fun!
- Intense times at work (as always...)... getting worried that this is not a period but the key trend of my current position...
- News on the emotional front are definitely positive (nothing to do with the lack of activity here!!) ... lets see how it goes...

As for travelling and weddings, 2 of my favorite topics, late August and September took me to...
- Córdoba, in the south of Spain for a colleague's wedding... very nice Flamenco spirit!
- Oslo in Norway... a new country, a new city, old friends and already a scent of winter...
- Brussels, Barcelona and Rome in business trips... In each of these towns, an opportunity to touch base with friends there :)
- Amsterdam / Zeist for an AI buddy wedding... back together with the ones who were my family for a year... very intense chats and realizing that life is moving forward with gigantic steps...
- Lisbon yet again... How I love my city and my people!

Different episodes and reflections will deserve highlights in the next few days...

This is a quick one to say... I'm back!
NunoC

PS - And to join Facebook... It rocks! =)

Summercase!! (www.summercase.com)

Yoooooo!!!

Last weekend, my return to summer music festivals, attending Madrid's biggest, with an A M A Z I N G set.... Going one by one (following my usual BCG style evaluation...):

Day I
James - Muuuu! - Walked in the Festival at the sound of "Don't Sit Down!", remembering the good old days playing this tune to start sessions in AIESEC conferences... Amazing how many lyrics have survived in my brain after aaaaall these years!
Jarvis Cocker - AU! - Pulp are gone... forever...
The Gossip - Muuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!
One set of drums, one guitar/bass player (depending on the song...) and one of the most amazing singers I have ever seen! I jumped as if there was no tomorrow!
Air - Au! Au! - great music to hear indoors, not in a Festival!
OMD - Muuuu! - For an hour, the 80s were back!!!! :D
Kaiser Chiefs - Muuuuuu! - Brit Pop at it's best... but then...
!!! - Muuuuuu! - The first of the two "tribal" experiences of this Festival... Tremendous energy, tremendous rythm, great show on stage!
(couldn't stick around for Chemical Brothers....... the gang was tired!!)

zzzzzzzzzz

Day II
PJ Harvey - ???? - Awful conditions, lousy sound and instead of betting in her most "movy" songs, she decides to get on the piano... baaaad move for a Festival!
Arcade Fire - Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!! - Intense... Second "tribal" moment... even though the songs were definitely not the most energetic of the concert, their energy was quite overwhelming!
Bloc Party - ***** - First experience listening to these guys and I must say the tunes are quite good! Something to explore!
LCD Soundsystem - Muuuuuuu!!! - Electronic extravaganza, great dancing moments, excellent mood in the crowd!
Scissor Sisters - ???? - Tick!

Brilliant weekend! After last months Smashing Pumpkins+The Killers+Kasabian, the summer quota will be complete with Police, back in Lisbon next September!

Carpe Diem!

Reflections and changes...

Greetings,

Tough day at work... the clear perspective of a very loooooong and troublesome summer brings me home in a more reflective mood. (for later to remember...) What is life like today:

... Work...
Still enjoying myself, starting a second year on this assignment, a second year when the results and the legacy will need to be built. Managing 6 very different people in the middle of a major integration has been kick ass experience, all of them very different... the resources are as usually insufficient, the major business trends are against our work needs
(my team's) but for sure we will pull it off!

... Madrid...
Excellent chat with my flat mate today, as he decided to return to Lisbon taking advantage of an excellent opportunity... He ends a phase of 8 years out of Portugal. We end a chilled out year together in this flat. I loose the proximity of yet another very good friend here in Madrid. People are leaving, and as time goes by I feel like moving on as well, less in the mood nowadays to meet new people, to constantly start over again...

... Dillemmas...
The nomad vs. the portuguese thoughts return... on one side, looking at many of you, globetrotting and having a great time both professionally and personally, some even with major steps on the family front... but on the other side, I have to recognize tremendous attachment feelings that haunt me every time I step in an airplane or in a car on the way to Madrid... Is this the end of the nomad side...? Naaaa!!! A trip to Argentina and the perspective of a 3 month sabatycal next year will make sure of that (Southeast Asia or Latin America???). But, I do feel deep deep down that it might make sense to start planning my return, even if temporary, to the place that is my true "home".

Holidays!! I need holidays!! :)

Carpe Diem!

Sights from the north coast (I) ... Bilbau!

Bon dia,

Time to pay hommage to, in my opinion, the coolest area of thw whole of Spain... The north coast! during the last few months I had the opportunity to visit all 4 regions, from Galicia to the Basque Country.

So, in this week when yet again ETA makes it to the news front, it is a good time to do some positive publicity about the north coast of Spain, a place of incredible beauty and incredibly hospitable people!

Starting by Bilbau...

The Gugenheim totally dominates the city... but it isn't the only attraction!

By night, approaching the old town!

Cool architecture!!

More art!!!

Bad boys in the old town...

More photos over the weekend... San Sebastian next!

Carpe Diem!

Another cool dude from 1978 :)

By Jim Davis

Carpe Diem!

Championship Day!

Muy BUENAS!

It's my neighbourhood and it is game day :)
... the street stands are set, stuffed with flags, scarfs, shirts, mugs, (...)
...groups of fans are wandering around the neighbourhood, fully armed with their club's parafernalia, "pevides" bags, "jamón" bocadillos and obviously a few cans of beer (or even indulging in a slightly illegal botellón!!)
... horns sound every few seconds, rallying the crowds for the big event
... the crowd is starting to mass around the stadium entry to welcome the players bus

Today brings memories...
... 5 years ago, celebrating the Cup Winners Cup for Feyenoord in Hoofplein, center of Rotterdam
... 3 years ago, living the European Cup in Lisbon
... 2 years ago, celebrating Benfica's victory of the portuguese championship
... A year ago "celebrating" the portuguese run up to 4th place in the World Cup
... Football is definitely the opium of the people

A year ago I moved in Bernabéu neighbourhood...
And today, it is CHAMPIONSHIP DAY!!



Carpe Diem!

PS - Impossible to be indifferent to all of this, living next door to the best club of the XX century...

Santos Populares - Lisboa!

Salamalek,

This weekend another eventuality happened (www.evento.alidades.com), to continue this year's Lisbon celebrations of Saint Anthony... Popular music, popular dancing, sardines, grilled meat, delicacies of all kinds... etc etc. We are in YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCJ3NG_5cVw

You should have joined....

Carpe Diem!

Looong weekend :)

Greetz,

In 10 minutes I am off to another trip to the north...
... Bilbau, pintxos and the Gugenheim
... San Sebastian, pintxos and the beach...
... Santander, friends and surf!

A couple more pieces of the puzzle regarding Spain and hopefully regarding myself... If I could choose a gift right now, it would be something like...



Carpe Diem!

Koninginnedag '07 (I)

Hallo!

Back to Madrid from 4 days in one of my favorite cities of the world :) For the few who might not know this Top 5 European party, here's a small teaser...

Koninginnedag is...
... a lot of ORANGE (and Heineken...)!

... 2 million people in the streets of Amsterdam (with a fair % of ORANGE!!)

... kids showing off their latest skills (also to make some money!!)

... an opportunity to sell all that "stuff" we have at home (also to make some money!)

... An opportunity to make money creatively! (translation - Win 25€, eat 4 cookies in less than a minute, for 2.5€)

... But above all, it´s all about meeting FRIENDS!



Dooeeei until September!

Carpe Diem!

Random thoughts...

Goede Morgen,

Since returning home, been a bit swamped by work, which obviously prevented me from approaching this corner of the web... Tonight, getting ready to return to my adored Holland, a few minutes are left to touch base...

** Last weekends
Friends and tourism... First, a fantastic extended weekend in Galicia, with the 3 Fs, good Friends, good Food and good Fun! Coruña is definitely a very cool city and during these days I had the opportunity to get to know places like Santiago or the island of aToja.

This week, hosting 3 great friends in Madrid... Typical weekend of great chats, some tourism and definitely showing them the movida Madrileña!

** Reflections
... Are today's 30s, yesterday's 20s? This was a recurrent topic during the past couple of weeks... Do you remember how we would imagine ourselves when reaching the 30s...? Well, looking at life today it's kind of interesting to identify the gap :))
... Tribal workers... an excellent article stumbled to my inbox about my generation of "international" workers... Is happiness in the ability of making sure we do the right choice, among the many scenarios many of us have? Or is happyness in the ability of closing some of those doors and making those decisions more effective, yet more restrictive?
Will come back to this article over next week!

** Next week
HOLIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's time to get a few days off... These will be divided in 3 stages:
- Holland for bday + Queen's Day - forecast indicates a weekend full of catching up moments with Dutch friends and a full blast celebration of Queen's Day, most likely the best party in Europe!
- Algarve with parents - 3 days to chill in my southern refuge, to spend quality time with mum and dad and to think about my next steps... Changes expected soon... Next year, it is a huge question mark!
- x for the weekend - my destination cannot be revealed at this stage...!

High expectations from next week.... High expectations about a good check point in the sands of the south...

Carpe Diem!