What on earth is a GuMPer, you may ask. Well, in this particular context, rather than in the context of a mere 'Gumper' (as seen in the Urban Dictionary) the definition is as follows:

GuMPer: a person [or persons] [GuMPer/s] who subscribe [or follow] Good Morning Portugal [GMP] - which is an online forum designed for Portugal's expat community: or those aspiring to become expats living in Portugal, Madeira or the Açores.

A GuMPer becomes part of quite an extensive community of individuals who've made a new life in Portugal, or aspire to do so at some point in the future. At the core of GuMPerdom is one Mr Carl Munson who has, over recent years, drawn together a motley bunch of individuals who make up an extended Portugal-wide community who also involve Portugal-loving individuals from all over the globe.

Virtual meet-up

The main (virtual) meet-up is on Carl's daily live-stream on YouTube and other social media platforms including Facebook. The show and podcast kicks off at 8:30 (Monday to Friday) 'live' from São Martinho do Porto on the glorious silver coast. Generally, the show is all about fun and frivolity involving some regular guests who join Carl on-screen to tackle all manner of subjects, ranging from how best to wade through Portugal's fabled bureaucracy, to traveling and enjoying this beautiful country. There are hints and tips on how and where to best experience Portuguese food, wine, culture and all manner of things that might be considered quintessentially Portuguese. Even the odd dollop of politics makes the odd appearance on the show, including trying to fathom the many machinations of Portugal's domestic political discourse. Carl has an aptitude to find an expert or two to help guide us along the way whilst tackling these subject matters.

The whole ethos is to place a positive emphasis on helping us all to learn new things about Portugal, its history, its quirks, its traditions and even its occasional perversions. But it's all done in a fun-filled, tongue-in-cheek sort of way which brings together the GuMPer community in a convivial and pleasant atmosphere. And, it must be said that it's great fun to see familiar faces on-screen as well as making their presence felt on the occasionally feisty but always good humoured comments section.

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Good Morning Portugal (GMP) brings together people from all walks of life but there's always one thing that unites us all and that's our collective love of Portugal. There are even real life meet-ups where people arrange to get together in order to share their various experiences of moving to Portugal whether that's the Algarve, the interior, the silver coast or indeed anywhere in Portugal including the thriving capital and its environs. It's all about learning from each other and knowing where to access expert help should the need arise. This is where the Good Morning Portugal website and online forum comes in. It's all Googleable (if that's the word?) when you search for "Good Morning Portugal".

Expat community

Carl is always more than happy to declare that Good Morning Portugal has become what it is today, not only through his own considerable efforts, but also by sharing content submitted by the GuMPer community at large. It's quite extraordinary how much talent there is out there amidst the expat community. It's clear that people possess a myriad of different talents and specialities including cookery, yoga, to generally keeping fit - amongst other things. My own GuMPing contributions manifested themselves in the guise of some short two minute videos which I filmed all over Portugal. I referred to these as "Two Minute Tasters".

How about becoming an impromptu wine connoisseur? Well, GuMPers have done that too, by joining a monthly online wine tasting session. That's right - an online knees-up as we all sat (with the same variety of wine in our glasses) and sought to give our honest opinion on what we were drinking whilst trying to look sober in front of a slightly perplexed audience! Participants came from the likes of Tomar to deepest South Devon. We even had special guests including the legendary Louis Pato himself who was more than happy to both enthuse as well as to simultaneously educate us about his extensive range of fine wines.

Becoming a GuMPer is about having a bit of fun and joviality amidst a bunch of people who have chosen a new life in Portugal as well as those who might be in the process of making that move. However you cut it, by tuning in to the GMP morning show, you'll soon get to know and potentially interact with a whole host of interesting characters who have plenty of experience and tips on how to make that move a smooth and positive way forward. It seems to me that's this is what Good Morning Portugal is all about.

Good Morning Portugal is streamed live on YouTube from 8:30 each morning with host Carl Munson at the helm. I find that it's a pretty good way to kick off my day alongside a bunch of other GuMPing good pals. I think I can safely say that the invitation is an open one, so why not join us and become a GuMPer to-boot?

Author

Douglas Hughes is a UK-based writer producing general interest articles ranging from travel pieces to classic motoring. 

Douglas Hughes