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“When my boys and I were hiking the Portuguese Bend at night right on the coast on the cliffs, the ground like started shifting beneath us like kind of like an earthquake, it was pretty nuts. And at first we just kinda thought it was an earthquake but then we texted our boys back home and they didn’t feel anything, so we kind of just chalked it up to being the Portuguese Bend Curse because I don’t know, there was like no other explanation I guess.”

Context
RK explains that this is a curse/legend that is well known among his friends and other Palos Verdes residents, especially those that have spent time around the Portuguese Bend. He says that while hiking with his friends, he felt the ground move in a way that felt like an earthquake, but when he double checked with friends and family they didn’t feel anything. He says that he and his friends had no explanation for what happened, so they attributed it to the Portuguese Bend Curse. RK says that he’s been back to the Portuguese Bend a few times since that happened but nothing similar has happened.

Analysis
The Portuguese Bend Curse is a legend that is popular among the Palos Verdes area of Southern California, and RK’s specific story is a memorate. His experience shows that in weird moments that feel unexplainable, people will turn to folkloric and supernatural explanations for the event. This legend also shows that there is more to a place than just its geography; there is a ton of added identity to the Portuguese Bend that is built through stories and human memories. RK’s story is also a great example of Lindahl’s argument that legends and beliefs become stronger or validated through personal experience, as RK knew of the curse beforehand but never had any strong opinions about it until he experienced the ground shake in person. It’s also interesting that even though RK hasn’t felt the ground shake since that moment, he still believes in the Portuguese Bend Curse because of that one memorable and jarring experience.