Boa Viagem, Meu Amigo

Al Hamman, Kazakhstan / photo © Al Hamman

I wasn’t surprised when my friend Al Hamman said he was moving to Portugal. As an international marketing consultant, he traveled the globe for many years. The expat life will suit him, and Portugal has a thriving expat community.

Keeping a “leap and the net will appear” attitude, Al navigated the complex move successfully. He’s been learning Portuguese online, no small feat, and in time, hopes to become fluent. During a ten-day stay, he found his new home in a town about three hours from Lisbon. Once he returned, he completed his required resident visa papaerwork, sold his house, car, and furniture—all in a matter of weeks. A friend asked him when he intended on coming back to the US. “I don’t,” he replied. But he will stay in touch using WhatsApp and Facetime.

We became friends in 2010 when I accompanied him as a videographer on two trips to Tunisia—the first shortly before the Arab Spring revolt, and the second, a few months afterwards. Over the years, we’ve had each other’s backs when it was necessary, and frequently shared our insights about literature, philosophy, life in general, and what lies beyond.

Al is one of a kind. The good kind.

Boa Viagem, Meu Amigo.