Anywhere With Kristen

13/06/2026

There are some words that don't translate neatly into English.

For nearly a year, I've heard the Portuguese word *saudade* used in conversations, songs, and everyday life. At first, I thought it simply meant "missing someone" or "nostalgia."

But the longer I've lived in Portugal, the more I've realized it's something deeper.

It's the appreciation of a moment even while knowing it won't last forever.

It's gratitude mixed with longing.

It's looking at where you've been, where you are now, and understanding that both joy and loss are part of the journey.

In my newest video, I take you through a typical day in my life here in rural Portugal—from morning walks through vineyards with Pepper, to writing fantasy novels, caring for chickens, shopping at Pingo Doce, navigating Portuguese healthcare, and reflecting on what this country has taught me about life.

And somewhere in the middle of that ordinary day, we talk about *saudade*.

If you've ever moved away from home, watched your children grow up, said goodbye to a loved one, retired from a career, or simply wished you could hold on to a moment a little longer, you may already understand it too.

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/nDz4Iw0P-4I

What does *saudade* mean to you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

What does the Portuguese word saudade really mean?When we first m...

30/05/2026

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What happens when you leave America... and then come back?

After living in Portugal for almost a year, we returned to the U.S. for three weeks expecting everything to feel familiar.

Instead, we experienced something we never expected:

**Reverse culture shock.**

Suddenly America felt louder.
Busier.
More rushed.

Even ordering a bagel felt like a high-pressure decision-making exercise. 😅

A few things that stood out:

🔹 Why does everyone seem so loud in public?
🔹 Why does waiting 3 minutes feel like an emergency?
🔹 Why are there 47 versions of the same product in the grocery store?
🔹 Why did some of our favorite foods not taste the same anymore?
🔹 Why did our storage unit suddenly feel full of things we don't need?

The funny thing is that living abroad didn't make us love America less.

It simply gave us a new perspective on the place we came from.

Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock after returning home?

What was the biggest thing that surprised you?

👇 We'd love to hear your stories.

What happens when you leave America… and then come back?After living in Portugal for almost a year, we returned to the United States for three weeks expectin...

22/05/2026

Scott, Pepper, and I just got back to Portugal and I’m slowly readjusting from the East Coast chaos of the USA. Weeks of traffic and endless coffee creamer options hit differently after almost a year of medieval villages and espresso served by someone’s grandmother.

One of the most common questions was: “SO…HOW’S PORTUGAL??” What does this mean? It’s honestly such a huge question. It also dawned on me that some people may not know much about Portugal beyond “Cristiano Ronaldo and maybe sardines.” 😂

So, in the interest of public service, I’m sharing this short video someone else made. Hopefully next time you see us, you can ask something more specific like:
“Tell me about the pastries, the tiny coffee cups, and why nobody is in a hurry.” 🇵🇹

Link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Cx3ScREcb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

17/05/2026

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our friends and family who came out today for my project- Hope for Haiti Benefit Auction in Ephrata, Pennsylvania!🇺🇸 Your generosity and support mean so much, and together we are helping create educational and business opportunities in the poor island nation of Haiti. 🇭🇹 We are incredibly grateful. ❤️ And now, back to Portugal!🇵🇹

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J4CPBmqna/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/05/2026

What if I told you a country overthrew a dictatorship… without firing a single shot?

That’s not a movie. That’s Portugal.

On April 25, 1974, the Carnation Revolution changed everything. Soldiers put flowers in their guns. The regime fell. Freedom began.

But here’s what hit me…

History like that doesn’t just live in Lisbon.
It doesn’t just sit in textbooks.

It lives in people.

We sat down with three generations of a family here in a small village… and honestly, I wasn’t ready for some of what they shared.

An 86-year-old grandmother who lived through it.
A father who started working as a child.
And a younger generation trying to carry those stories forward.

They talked about things I’ve never had to think about:

– Not being allowed to speak freely
– Secret radios to avoid the police
– Rationing food just to survive
– Living without electricity… even years after the revolution

And maybe the thing that stuck with me most…

Freedom didn’t just flip on like a switch.
It took time. It was messy. And even now, people see it differently.

This video isn’t really about history.

It’s about perspective.

Because when you hear stories like this… you realize how easy it is to take things for granted.

👇 I’d really love to know—
What stood out to you the most?
Have you ever heard stories like this from someone who actually lived it?

1 like, 1 comment. "3 Generations. One Revolution. Completely Different Lives | Portugal"

18/04/2026

What if one battle decided whether a country would even exist?

We stood on the real ground of the Battle of Aljubarrota—where Portugal faced the Portuguese succession crisis… and won against impossible odds.

But this isn’t just history you read about.

Every year, Aljubarrota transforms into a living medieval world—food, music, falconry, archery… and stories that refuse to fade.

You feel it in the reenactment.
You see it in the streets.
And you hear it in the legend of Brites de Almeida—the Baker of Aljubarrota.

This is one of those places where the past doesn’t sit quietly… it shows up.

👇 Real question:
Would Portugal even exist today if this battle was lost?

54 likes, 19 comments. "How Portugal Survived the Impossible | Battle of Aljubarrota"

11/04/2026

We thought we knew what Easter looked like.

You know…
Chocolate eggs.
Maybe a backyard egg hunt.
A nice family meal.

Portugal had other plans.

This week, we followed a man carrying a cross through a medieval village…
were handed branches instead of palms…
and somewhere along the way ended up learning about soup… made from a stone.

(No, seriously.)

And then—just to keep things balanced—
we came home and made peach pie like nothing unusual had happened.

Safe to say…

👉 Easter here is completely different.

But also… somehow more meaningful.

Less about events.
More about people.
Tradition.
Community.

And honestly?

We weren’t prepared for it.

👇
Have you ever experienced a tradition that completely caught you off guard—in a good way?

How Easter in Portugal Changed UsEaster in Portugal Is NOTHING Like America… Here’s Why 🇵🇹We thought we knew what Easter looked like.Church. Family. Tradit...

10/04/2026

The Portuguese love to eat outside. Or drink outside. Or walk outside. It’s all about the outside. ☀️

05/04/2026

Happy Easter, wherever you are! 🇵🇹🐣