Manuel was born on the small island of Graciosa in the Azores. He describes the rather primitive living conditions at the time, both at his home and in school. No one in the family, including his parents, wore shoes (although, uniquely, his mother had a pair of sandals). Compulsory schooling lasted for just four years; and then he was off to a series of full-time jobs. But instilled in Manuel early in his youth was the strong desire to continue his education. Fortunately he was finally able to graduate from high school on the island of Faial. We then follow him through his military service in the Portuguese Air Force and on to the US to catch up with his family members, all of whom had recently emigrated to California. Just as advanced education was extremely difficult to obtain in the Azores, it required a supreme effort on Manuel’s part to continue once in California. But often working two hotel jobs gave him the funds to continue. Dental school in Guadalajara, Mexico, followed his graduation from college. And then he was on to a successful career in the field of dentistry. Much of the two sessions was taken up with a description of family life and social customs in Graciosa. He speaks of folk medicine and superstitions, as well as communal activities such as wine making and the matança do porco (killing of the pig). The end of the interview is taken up principally with a discussion of his significant contributions to the Portuguese communities of California.