In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we're diving into a whirlwind week of medical procedures and ... car inspections.When you're a teacher on break, what better way to spend your time than getting your gallbladder removed? Join us as we walk through a surprisingly smooth and surreal experience with the Portuguese private health system, from late-night surgery to morning coffee and jam on bread (no fuzzy hospital socks, though).We compare this experience with surgery in the U.S., touching on differences in care, costs, and pain management (spoiler: no opioids here). Plus, there's a surprise twist involving the GNR (Portuguese National Republican Guard) and a 250€ car inspection fine we didn’t see coming.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real-life expat stories and slice-of-life episodes from our lives in Portugal.📌 As the Dinesens Turn — because something is always turning, and it’s usually us.#ExpatLife #PortugalHealthcare #GallbladderSurgery #AsTheDinesensTurn #LifeInPortugal #GNR #LivingAbroad #MedicalStorytime

We survived the power outage in Portugal on Monday the 28th.

What we're looking forward to as springtime springs in Portugal.

March 16th was our two-year anniversary in Portugal. All of us -- kids included! -- reflect on it.

On this episode, we discuss the challenges and triumphs of language learning. Jason discusses if Duolingo is helpful or not. Jason and Tracy debate the merits of striving for an A in school versus "just get through it."

We've been here almost 2 years now, and while most people think it's cool (we do too!) it's not all fun and games. We have to work, and we experience homesickness. The worst was after 6 months. This episode dives deeper into how we dealt with the homesickness and are still dealing with it.

It's a grab-bag episode of Valentine's Day in Portugal, the power of the sunshine here, and Jason's language adventures.

We talk about the weather in our part of Portugal. Sometimes a 50-degree day can be very uncomfortable, and as crazy as it may sound, a 0-degree day in the Midwest can almost be more comfortable (if you're inside).