Three and a half years in Portugal can feel long. At some point you notice you’re losing more energy than you gain. For us, it became obvious that something had to change. Not someday—now. Moving to Davao City wasn’t a romantic dream. It was a practical decision. And looking back, it was the right one.

After a few years, I’ve recently decided to take on another project with Yoummday, a German-based freelancer platform that connects remote workers with customer service projects around the world. Back when I first worked there, most projects were limited to EU-based freelancers – mainly from Germany, Austria, or neighboring countries. But times have changed. In 2025, Yoummday has clearly opened up to a global workforce. This means people like me, now living in the Philippines, can participate in international projects and continue working online from anywhere.

After a long flight, plenty of paperwork, and a touch of nervous excitement, we finally made it: we arrived in the Philippines. We spent our first night at Penky’s sister’s house in Calinan, taking a moment to catch our breath after the long journey. The very next day, we moved into our small pink house in the province. The rental process? Incredibly simple: 20,000 PHP monthly rent plus 20,000 PHP deposit in cash, handed directly to the landlord – and just like that, we had the keys. No credit score checks, no piles of paperwork, no waiting. It almost felt unreal how easy some things can be here.

3. Oktober – Tag der Deutschen Einheit? Ein persönlicher Blick aus der Ferne. 

A Personal Reckoning with Administration, the Housing Market, and Portugal's Hidden Realities

Do you speak German at a B2 level but still feel unsure in professional situations? You’re not alone. Many learners find that textbook German isn’t enough to thrive in a real-world job environment. That’s where targeted coaching makes all the difference.

When my Filipino partner and I first entered a civil registry office in Portugal in October 2022, we had a simple dream: to get married here, surrounded by the Atlantic light, perhaps even to anchor part of our lives in this country that markets itself so well in glossy travel brochures. What followed were almost three years of frustration, bureaucracy, and disillusionment.

For many years, my life has been defined by movement. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene mountains of Switzerland, from the cultural richness of the Basque Country to the vibrant coastlines of Portugal — I have lived and worked across places that shaped me in ways both visible and invisible. Each chapter carried its own rhythm, challenges, and lessons.

Picture drifting through rice fields and jungle shadows under a star-spattered sky—no airport hustle, no hurry—just the soft hum of steel on rail. That dreamy vision gets real in 2025, because the famed Bangkok–Butterworth “International Express” is back.

1. Strike Dates & Who’s Involved

Traveling to warmer countries is a dream many of us cherish. Whether it’s strolling through the bustling streets of Bangkok, admiring the golden temples of Chiang Mai, sipping a crisp Vinho Verde in Porto, or wandering the winding alleys of Lisbon’s Alfama – these destinations promise culture, beauty, and adventure. Yet after just a few hours outside, one truth becomes clear: your greatest challenge isn’t the jet lag, the foreign cuisine, or even the language barrier. It’s the heat.

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The experienced traveler knows a secret that the casual tourist doesn't: the real journey begins long before the plane takes off. It starts with the planning, the logistics, the often-daunting task of piecing together a travel puzzle that reflects a new lifestyle, not just a two-week vacation. This is especially true for those of us embracing the remote work revolution or embarking on a new chapter after 50. You're not just booking a flight; you're orchestrating a life-changing move.

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Während in vielen westlichen Ländern die Büros wieder zum Dreh- und Angelpunkt des Arbeitslebens erklärt werden, setzt die Schweiz ein klares Zeichen gegen diesen Trend. Daten der Jobplattform Indeed zeigen, dass die Zahl der Homeoffice-Stellen im ersten Halbjahr 2025 einen neuen Höchststand erreicht hat und die Schweiz damit zu einem Vorreiter für flexibles Arbeiten in Europa aufsteigt.

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Your messages, calls, and little surprises made me feel so loved and remembered. From near and far, every greeting brought a smile to my face. Penky and I read through every single one and felt the love.

On August 1st, I shall turn the ripe old age of 61 – and while others might be content with cake and questionable singing from coworkers, I’ve gone one better: I’ve officially retired.Yes. No more tickets. No more escalation chains. No more pretending to care about a customer’s cat being locked out of their account. The last five years I’ve spent working in the customer service departments of various BPO companies – or, as I like to call it: The Millennial Daycare Centre from Hell – complete with KPIs, emotional labour, and a never-ending Slack parade of motivational GIFs. Why did I leave? Because I despise customer service with every atom in my being. Truly. Madly. Deeply. It drained my soul faster than a Dementor on a double espresso. I gave it my all – patience, empathy, scripted enthusiasm – while my inner monologue was mostly shouting “Please make it stop.” And now? I’m gladly taking a financial hit just to escape this digital flea circus. Honestly – I’d rather eat beans on toast for the rest of my life than hear the phrase “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” one more bloody time. What remains? A robust sense of sarcasm, a treasure trove of absurd stories, and the rock-solid belief that not every job needs to be your passion. Sometimes, you just survive it – and walk away with your sanity (mostly) intact.So tomorrow, I raise my glass (and possibly two fingers) to a new chapter. 

It’s May again in Portugal – and like clockwork, the national railway Comboios de Portugal (CP) is on strike. From May 7 to 14, 2025, much of the train system is at a standstill. If you live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, you know the drill: the iconic Cais do Sodré – Cascais line is always among the first to go silent.

May 1st, 2025, a public holiday in Portugal and many other European countries, wasn’t just another Labor Day for us – it turned into a memorable spring experience full of ups and downs, quite literally. We used it as an opportunity to take a break from our everyday routine and enjoy a little adventure across the Tagus River.

April 28, 2025 started like any other Monday: first coffee, a quick glance at the phone, a few emails, and the week was underway. In Miraflores, a quiet neighborhood west of Lisbon, spring hung gently in the air. The sun shone soft and bright, the scent of Atlantic breeze and jasmine filled the streets.

Easter Sunday. A day that holds special meaning in so many cultures and hearts. For some, it's the pinnacle of the Christian faith, the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, a symbol of hope and new beginnings. For others, it's a welcome spring day filled with family traditions, colorful eggs, and the sweet scent of chocolate. And for still others, like me yesterday, it was a wonderful blend of profound reflection and exuberant joy with dear friends.

The sun is shining extra bright over Lisbon today, but my thoughts are already drifting toward the tropical landscapes of Cabantian. It’s Saturday, April 19th, 2025 — and on our personal countdown calendar, it marks another important milestone on this wild and beautiful journey we’ve chosen. To be exact: 164 days until our planned departure on September 30th. Time flies — or maybe it drags, depending on your level of excitement. And ours? Through the roof!

It’s been just a few days since my last blog post, but the whirlwind of events since then makes it feel like weeks have passed. Four long, gray days filled with the soul-crushing monotony of my support job here in Lisbon. A job that, at best, I’ve endured rather than enjoyed. But on Monday, April 14th, 2025, something incredible happened — something that changed everything.

(Sunday, April 13, 2025)

Saturday, April 12, 2025

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Had a charming little chinwag today with an HR rep (let’s call her Susan – she looked like a Susan) from a BPO company in Malta. Yes, Malta. The island where dreams go to be taxed, tanned, and underpaid.Susan, with the earnest sparkle of someone who just discovered Canva, explained to me that this particular BPO company – Besedo, for the curious – offers “tremendous career opportunities.” Ah yes. Minimum wage by law, maximum demands by fantasy. Classic.Career Opportunities, You Say?Let me paint the picture: You start as a Content Moderator – a glorified digital janitor for the internet’s darker urges. But fret not! If you show promise (and survive), you might be promoted to Senior Moderator – where you do exactly the same thing, but with a title that sounds slightly more LinkedIn-worthy

Today is a special day for me and my Fiancée: Our online shop is finally live on our website! After months of intense preparation, planning, and design, we are proud to offer the first products for remote workers and digital nomads. 🚀

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Picture this: You’re a product. Yep, you heard that right. You — your time, your energy, your know-how — all wrapped up in a polished résumé with a little bow on top. And that package? You’re selling it. To whom? The highest bidder? The most charming one? The one who annoys you the least? Nah. Most of us sell our precious time to whichever employer just happens to have a vacancy.

Stell dir vor: Du bist ein Produkt. Ja, du hast richtig gelesen. Du, deine Zeit, deine Energie, dein Know-how – alles, was du bist, verpackt in einen schicken Lebenslauf mit Schleifchen drum. Und dieses Paket verkaufst du. An wen? An den Meistbietenden? An den Charmantesten? An den, der dich am wenigsten nervt? Nein. In der Regel verkaufen wir unsere wertvolle Lebenszeit an irgendeinen Arbeitgeber, der zufällig gerade Bedarf hat. Aber was, wenn das der Falsche ist? Und was, wenn wir einfach sagen: "Danke, nächster bitte!"

Every year on March 17th, the world plunges into a sea of green, Guinness, and questionable decisions. St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a boozy holiday – it’s a mix of history, national pride, and the undeniable Irish talent for celebrating with a drink in hand. But how did it all start? Why do the Irish drink like there’s no tomorrow? And why is everyone suddenly celebrating this Irish holiday, whether in Dublin or Tokyo?

Job applications in the digital age – faster, smarter, more efficient? 🤖 Think again. Welcome to the Kafkaesque reality of an ordinary IT applicant. This blog post is based on my personal experience and sheds light on how a harmless 1st Level IT Support role turned into an involuntary retro journey through my own past. Complete with a GDR school certificate 🏫 and a raised eyebrow 🤨 – served with sharp wit, a pinch of dark humor 🖤, and a few critical questions.

As a former freelancer (XWF) for CONTIO.tech, a subcontractor for Google, I have firsthand experience of how problematic business practices in this industry can be. I was treated like an employee despite officially being classified as self-employed—a classic case of misclassification. When I reported this, my contract was terminated in retaliation. In this article, I share my experience and explain why this model is not only unethical but also illegal in many countries.

Als ehemaliger Freelancer - externer Google Mitarbeiter (XWF) für CONTIO.tech, einem Subunternehmen von Google, habe ich aus erster Hand erlebt, wie problematisch die Geschäftspraktiken in dieser Branche sein können. Ich wurde wie ein Angestellter behandelt, obwohl ich offiziell als Selbstständiger geführt wurde – ein klassischer Fall von Scheinselbstständigkeit. Als ich dies meldete, wurde mein Vertrag als Vergeltungsmaßnahme gekündigt. In diesem Artikel schildere ich meine Erfahrung und erkläre, warum dieses Modell nicht nur unethisch, sondern in vielen Ländern auch illegal ist.

As of January 1, 2025, the monthly minimum wage in Portugal has been raised as follows:

In a world where flexibility and mobility are becoming the norm, remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle are more popular than ever. While these work styles offer freedom and independence, they also come with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to personal well-being. Self-care often takes a backseat, but neglecting it can lead to long-term problems. This article explores why self-care is essential for remote workers and digital nomads and provides actionable tips to incorporate it into your daily life.

When deciding to establish a small business in Portugal, you quickly face a mountain of formalities, paperwork, and regulations. When I embarked on this journey, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Then I discovered Rauva, a platform specializing in assisting entrepreneurs in Portugal. What can I say? Choosing their services not only simplified my setup process but also significantly accelerated it. In this blog, I’d like to share my experiences with Rauva and explain why I wholeheartedly recommend this platform to anyone looking to start a business in Portugal.

Portugal is often considered a dream destination for weddings, with its stunning coastlines, picturesque villages, and rich culture. However, for foreign couples wanting to tie the knot here, the journey to the altar can be less about romance and more about navigating a labyrinth of bureaucracy. After more than two years, three attempts, and countless frustrations, we finally submitted all the necessary paperwork to the civil registry office in Oeiras on Friday, December 20, 2024. 

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not cut out to be an employee. I’ve tried it. I really have. But being stuck in a 9-to-5 grind, getting underpaid, and sitting through meetings where someone reinvents the wheel every week? Not for me. As a contractor, though? I thrive. I shine. I crush it.

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