Life in Portugal: Visa Approved and Starting My New Chapter

Hello from Portugal!

Well… I made it! After months of navigating the Portuguese immigration process, I’m finally here—home. I’m about 90% of the way through the journey. The last step? An appointment with immigration officials in August. But until then, there’s nothing left to do but live--find meaningful work, meet great people, and soak up every bit of this beautiful country I now call home.

But before we get too far ahead—let’s back up a bit and talk about April.

I kicked off the month still in limbo, waiting for that one golden email saying, “Your visa’s been approved—send us your passport!” I checked my inbox more times than I care to admit (okay, hourly… at least). Then finally, on April 7, it came! I flew back to the U.S., mailed off my passport for stamping, and waited again. A few days later, I had it in hand—and by mid-April, I was back in Portugal, ready to start this next chapter.

Before I left, though, Albania offered a few final memorable moments—its history never disappoints. Here are a couple highlights I squeezed in before saying goodbye…

Mother Teresa Watching Over Tirana

As I was walking through the streets of Tirana, this mural of Mother Teresa stopped me in my tracks. Painted on the side of a building, her face looks upward with such warmth and quiet strength—it felt like a moment of peace in the middle of the city buzz. Born in Skopje but of Albanian heritage, she’s a beloved figure here, and seeing her honored like this felt both powerful and personal. One of those unexpected, beautiful moments travel hands you.

Woodrow Wilson’s Surprising Albanian Legacy

This statue of Thomas Woodrow Wilson in the heart of Tirana might seem like an unexpected sight—but here, he’s a bit of a hero. After World War I, President Wilson stood up for Albania’s independence at the Paris Peace Conference, and the country never forgot it. Seeing his statue here, top hat and all, felt like one of those cool, “wait—what?” moments that makes travel so fascinating. Just another reminder of how deeply connected the world really is.

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Finally...

Since January 2020, I’ve lived through a lot of different chapters. But this one? This feels like the most meaningful. It’s the moment where everything I’ve gone through, learned, and experienced comes together—not as an ending, but as a fresh beginning.

I’m genuinely excited to be settled in a place where I can build a life that’s fun, fulfilling, and yes—lucrative too. A life where I can help others, do what I love, and tap into all the skills I’ve picked up along the way (and even discover some new ones). That’s the energy I’m carrying with me every day.

Right now, my main focus is on my new website: www.filmmakingportugal.com. I’ve started a monthly blog over there too—so if you’re into storytelling, filmmaking, or just want to follow this next creative chapter, head over to www.filmmakingportugal.com/blog and subscribe!

www.filmmakingportugal.com

This blog—my travel blog—has been going strong for over five years now (64 posts and counting, never missed a month!). But as I start traveling a bit less, I may post here less often. That said, I’ll still be exploring Portugal and Europe, and whenever something feels worth sharing—I’ll be here.

Thanks, as always, for being part of the journey. It means the world to me that you open these emails and take the time to read my updates. Truly—thank you.

ACTOR // FILMMAKER // TRAVEL BLOGGER

Bob Tapper

actorbobtapper@gmail.com

www.bobtapper.com

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