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Its funny being asked questions like "Are you having fun" or "Do you think you've made the right choice". I have no idea y'see! I think you only ever know the right choice through hindsight. I think I need to feel a lot more involved in the project before I can assess the benefits of the job. And thats the other thing with having fun - I am working. While its great to be in a different place and while there is a lot of fun at times its not like being on holiday, theres a lot to do and there are the normal pressures/issues which come from work. Plus its winter - so on a Sunday when I am free theres not a lot of incentive to do much on a day like today when its pouring with rain outside. I am a bit itchy though - Id like to be getting out and seeing some more stuff, especially away from Montemor/Escoural . When I do go out I feel a lot better about life even if its just to walk down to the ATM. Eating out is one way to get out but theres no such thing as a light/small meal in the Alentejo, you get so much to eat at lunch that you're not hungry at night! and you cant eat a huge meal every night (although I say that as Im heading out for dinner 2 nights in a row!). Like the Spanish the Portuguese eat late (again not the best for diet!) although thankfully dinner is earlier than the Spanish, usually between 8 and 9. And eating alone takes something out of the enjoyment. All the geos live away from the project, all the fieldies live in Escoural. Last night I went out to a nice bar for a beer to watch the Porto game but all the cool kids were too busy gossiping in their groups to want to chat to the weird gringo. Mind you I wasnt at my most outgoing or chatty either - was working on my mysterious stranger in the corner look but that doesn't work well in a small town where you dont want to be the odd one out - another reason to get out of Montemor every so often!!!