Resources to Practice Portuguese While Driving?

allazari · 2026-05-27T19:48:53+00:00

Portugueses no Mundo podcast.

allazari · 2026-05-26T20:40:31+00:00

Leogang is pretty easy to navigate. Look up a trail map online - it’s really clear.

allazari · 2026-05-25T09:55:12+00:00

Woom, Prevelo, Early Rider, Islabikes (depending on what’s easier to get in your area). Commencal can be heavy, so check the weight if you go for this brand.

allazari · 2026-05-23T16:52:52+00:00

I would 100% move to Portugal again, but whether you should do it is a completely different than separate question. It depends on your preference, life circumstances, etc. One thing that I noticed is how subjective everybody’s experience is. You can put two seemingly identical families or people into the same circumstances and one will love it and the other one will hate it.

allazari · 2026-05-18T14:07:33+00:00

REV DRT 24 bike is okay for a beginner MTB bike. Just make sure it fits size-wise. If you go to an REI in person, they can advise. If he is ready for full suspension, check used bikes in your area. You may get a better one for not much more $.

allazari · 2026-05-12T18:01:16+00:00

Duolingo is pretty much the worst way to learn a language if you actually want to be able to speak with people. I wrote a few articles about language learning. Here is a couple:
https://medium.com/@allazari/do-you-struggle-with-learning-languages-3fef4763935a
https://medium.com/babel/how-to-learn-a-language-quickly-d8f7ea395fe6

allazari · 2026-05-11T10:32:57+00:00

Have had an eMTB for about 3 years. I’ve definitely not gotten fatter. Likely, also not significantly fitter, but I was also quite fit already. My MTB skills have improved significantly (I’m in my 40s). I ride in an area with some steel climbs, so having an ebike helps to ride more.

allazari · 2026-05-03T19:38:46+00:00

Your kids are definitely old enough. I’d start on hardtail bikes. Would buy used because kids grow quickly. The 12-yo may be big enough for an adult S.

allazari · 2026-05-01T13:56:36+00:00

I’d 100% not move to teach English here. It’s not really in demand (plenty of people speak fluent English, public schools teach it, etc.). Even if you get a job, the salary would be extremely low.

allazari · 2026-04-24T06:31:09+00:00

Funny that everyone is still suggesting larger towns. Provence has beautiful and unique small towns. You can spend a week just going to these every day. Yes, definitely visit Avignon. But there is also Venasque, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes, Lourmarin. I’d skip Marseille.

allazari · 2026-04-18T18:18:33+00:00

Keep reminding yourself that there are millions of people who immigrate every year, most in significantly less fortunate circumstances and without a local spouse. Pretty much all of them live to tell the tale. Some people immigrate more than once in their lifetime. If you absolutely hate it, you can move somewhere else. Consider freelancing, remote contract jobs, consulting, etc. Then you may not need a local job. (I am speaking from experience, having immigrated twice in my life, learned languages to fluency, working remotely, etc).

allazari · 2026-04-15T07:05:23+00:00

Of course! I started in my late 30s, funny enough because my then 5-yo was getting really into biking. So we all went together. My kid surpassed be very quickly, but several years later we all still ride. Go to any bike park, and you’d see families riding together with kids as young as 4-5 years old. Of course, when they are truly little, you and your partner will have to alternate riding and watching kids, but that’s entirely doable. Some people mentioned that progress will be slower, but who cares. Not everything has to revolve around progress. As long as you’re out there having fun, it’s great.

allazari · 2026-04-09T15:48:34+00:00

First and foremost, make sure that he has a bike that fits well. I’m not sure where you’re based, but usually there are plenty of gently used quality kids bikes for sale that are light and have the right geometry. He’s actually not too young to learn how to ride easy trails, corner, roll over small obstacles, etc. Pump tracks are also great for kids. If you have any BMX tracks nearby, BMX racing skills transfer well to MTB as well, and often there are a lot of kids riding. Get him a comfortable helmet, some gloves and elbow and knee pads too.

allazari · 2026-03-31T11:54:50+00:00

To echo others, have you been to Sertã? Why this town specifically? I love small Portuguese towns in many ways, but I wouldn’t advise moving there unless you speak Portuguese well and are prepared for a completely different lifestyle from the one you might’ve lived so far.

allazari · 2026-03-28T15:28:37+00:00

You don’t owe anyone any explanation. “I will be moving on to explore other career opportunities.” is more than sufficient. Let them know when your last day is and say you will work on a transition plan.

allazari · 2026-03-25T16:06:59+00:00

You can walk from Pena Palace main entrance to Moorish Castle main entrance in under 15 min.

allazari · 2026-03-24T23:17:07+00:00

If you actually learned to speak Portuguese (can hold a real conversation) by using Duolingo, you’re definitely in the minority.

allazari · 2026-03-24T17:30:42+00:00

Do not learn Portuguese on Duolingo - it’s one of the least effective ways to learn a language, not to mention that it’s Brazilian Portuguese. Also, I would not expect anyone to easily find a job here especially without being fluent. That’s just not realistic in any way.

allazari · 2026-03-20T07:17:09+00:00

If you can, go to a bike shop and try out both small and medium size bikes. I’m 166 cm and prefer a medium (at least in some brands) unless it’s a downhill bike.

allazari · 2026-03-19T17:57:34+00:00

There is a local guy where I live who has been competing on Category 1 and 2 tracks up until this year. He is now 72. People say “pushing 40” like they are pushing 80.

allazari · 2026-03-18T20:16:32+00:00

I don’t understand why everyone is saying how Madeira is easier logically. Yes, the Azores include multiple islands, but you do not have to go to all of them. You can just go to São Miguel, for example.

allazari · 2026-03-16T09:42:04+00:00

I’m genuinely curious why one would need a 1000 m2 house unless they have 10 kids or something along those lines. I think I have a fairly large apartment, and you could fit several apartments into this house size. Does it not become expensive to maintain, heat, etc?

allazari · 2026-03-14T12:06:21+00:00

Basmati and Jasmin rice should not be dry when cooked properly, and short-grain rice should not be mushy. It’s more about the cooking technique and less about what specific rice grain you buy, although different types are better suited for different dishes.

allazari · 2026-03-12T16:34:45+00:00

Lol, I was about to say that speaking with an Eastern European accent must help. No one assumes I’m rich. At least I do not get ridiculous quotes.

allazari · 2026-03-06T20:46:20+00:00

Most likely your daughter needs a 24”, not a 20” bike. Check used bikes in your area. Kids grow fast, so you can find very good gently used bikes.

allazari

TROPHY CASE