Lisbon
It’s Saturday midday and our Emirates 777 is making an approach from the south to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport. It’s a stunning clear day and there is no holding or zigzags; we touch down a few minutes early. As we taxi in I can see that all the long-haul gates are occupied, so we wait until an Azul A330 pushes back and we finally make the turn and line up. I am all set to speed through the airport and see whether I can be in a cab in under five minutes. But after a minute of striding down the concourse I hit a humid, agitated human wall of passengers jostling to figure out what the holdup is, if there are designated lanes and if anyone is in charge. As is so often the case, a group of young staffers in polo shirts and lanyards have been tasked with answering questions and enduring rants. The problem is that the newly installed electronic gates are not working and there are not enough police officers to check passports in a speedy manner. In short, utter chaos.
With two to three e-gates semi-functioning and as many border cops in their booths, I opt for the human solution. Five times as many people sided with technology. I compare my progress with a tall American man who was on my flight and went for the electronic option. I have about 80 people in front of me but after 20 minutes I step up to the booth and I’m on my way. The electronic line has hardly moved an inch. Brand Portugal needs to sort this out as the summer season swings into high gear. First impressions are lasting ones. Bureaucrats need to be disciplined and people need to be deployed to solve the problem.
Lisbon II
Design and art week wrapped up in Lisbon this past Sunday and it was a record year for new exhibitors and visitors. Sandwiched between Milan’s Salone del Mobile and Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design fair, Lisbon has the opportunity to go even further – hosting not only domestic talent but also more makers from Brazil, Morocco, Angola and even neighbouring Spain.
Lisbon to Toronto on TAP
Next time you fly with Portugal’s flag carrier, TAP, pay special attention to the male flight attendants – they’re a breed unlike any other in civil aviation. Rugged yet well-groomed, bearded and all sporting that Portuguese mane that has been the national male hairstyle for centuries (think football manager meets sailor on one of Vasco da Gama’s vessels), it’s a fitting look that handsomely carries the national brand to points across the globe.
Ottawa
On Thursday evening branches of the Meere, Vuht and Brûle families gathered at the Estonian Embassy to remember my grandmother, Ilse Erika Meere, or simply Ema to all of us. The ambassador said a few poignant words, my cousin Kristi and uncle Viljar told stories about our family’s arrival in Canada after the war and over dinner scores of photos (from the 1920s to 2024) were passed around. Aside from raising a family, working as a lab technician and helping establish the Estonian community in Canada, Ema spent much of her 106 years staying chic and sharp. The photos of outfits and poses deserve an exhibition. Thursday would have been her 107th birthday. Ema would have approved of the setting, the canapés and the family in attendance – but would’ve been disappointed by the lack of dancing and high kicks. Next time Ema. Promise.
