La valise en carton

What were you doing ten years ago today? You probably can't remember, but I can. I was leaving Portugal, moving abroad, something I always wanted to do. I also remember that I had dinner at the Cafe Bern in Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam, and that I ate "kaasfondue" sitting at the counter with my cousin A. Good old days. Amsterdam is a great city and I had a wonderful time there. I have so many good memories.
But the turning point was not moving to Holland but moving out of Portugal. I packed my suitcase, took a plane and there I went, on my own, the start of a new adventure. And my life has been an adventure since. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Of course I miss my family, the sun, the sea and the beach, my friends, and the good Portuguese habits. But aren't all Portuguese supposed to live in eternal "saudade"?

É o vento que me leva.
O vento lusitano.
É este sopro humano
Universal
Que enfuna a inquietação de Portugal.
É esta fúria de loucura mansa
Que tudo alcança
Sem alcançar.
Que vai de céu em céu,
De mar em mar,
Até nunca chegar.
E esta tentação de me encontrar
Mais rico de amargura
Nas pausas da ventura
De me procurar...
Miguel Torga, Diário XII