The wait is finally over, woohoo! The seller’s lawyer finally got enough gears greased in city hall to get the final document we needed to close on the building last week!!!
So there we all were- the dad, his wife, the son, the young granddaughter, my agent, their agent, the lawyer who pried the document from the city, a couple other people, and me. The notarià was running behind, so they had me sign various papers and show my passport while standing at a ledge on the wall of the lobby (which suggests this happens a lot, although it reminded me of the ledges outside of the tiny bars in Madeira so you have a place to set your drink while standing in the street). I then joined the party and small talk as it ebbed and flowed between the lobby and the sidewalk. The building had been left to the son by his grandfather, so there was a lot of mixed emotions flowing around- joy, sadness, letting go, relief. The son thanked me for not backing out of the deal because of the long wait. “I don’t know what I would have done,” he said. “And now my parents will have money. They have worked hard all of their lives and now they don’t have to worry. That is the most important thing to me- for them to enjoy the rest of their lives.”
At last they called us all in, the notarià read one of the documents out loud, as required. My wonderful agent and friend Lucia translated for me because, yes my Portuguese is, well let’s say I’m not quite there yet (although I’m now able to string some rudimentary sentences together- I probably sound like a caveperson toddler, but can usually get the point across at least). Pens and papers were passed round and signed. I had to hand my debit card over three separate times- to pay the heart attack inducing taxes, the notariá’s fees, and some other charge. Then just like that it was done! We gathered outside the office, with one of the partygoers juggling four or five phones so everyone could have their own picture of the momentous occasion as the granddaughter tunneled into the folds of her family.
So what now?
I’m off to New York for music camp with my daughter! Meanwhile at Cresapaço, it’s going to get worse before it gets better!
Carlos the cafe owner across from me asked if a friend of his could salvage some of the materials from the deconstruction, and an artist friend of mine will be building the cashier counter for the shop from the wood. I truly deeply love this community!
Sounds exciting!
I'm up for supporting you in anything I can. Welcome to the community of brave crazy people with a dream and balls to follow it in Setubal!!!!
So proud of you Hobit!