Molly has worked her magic and met another couple of travelers. They are Eric and Marie from Ottawa, Canada. They both have broad experiences living and traveling abroad, so they are very interesting. Their native language is French, but their English is excellent. They have been traveling only in Portugal this far. Unfortunately, while in a rented car, a vandal broke in to the trunk and stole Marie’s purse and backpack~this included her passport, credit cards, prescription glasses and more. They have spent almost 2 days regrouping, phone calling and interviewing for a replacement passport. That is one of the drawbacks of renting a car that I have heard……you are a sure target when you leave it.
I spent a quiet day on a ferry out to a wildlife preserve, read, bird watched, collected beautiful shells, while Molly took the laptop to Diogo’s restaurant and spent her hours plugged-in and shopping. We joined up late afternoon for Sangria with Diogo, Eric and Marie. It was a fun afternoon, sharing stories and learning more about each other. As we sat by the marina, the new university students starting school were baptized in the dirty, fishy, harbor. Interesting tradition…………
That evening, Molly and I joined Eric and Marie for sushi………….me being a good sport, because I don’t even like the stuff…….we had another mission too. The dryer at the hostel had broken, just in time for Marie to dry her wet clothes. (that pour women has had some bad luck in Portugal) At 9 p.m. we wandered the streets looking for an open laundry mat, a hotel with services or a hostel with a working dryer. Nothing. Nada.No. Had a great dinner and returned to hang her laundry on the roof of the hostel overlooking the town square, next to the stork nests, underwear blowing in the breeze.
Our last day in Faro, we took the train to the town of Lagos. A recommended beach town, with amazing colored rocks and arches, kayaking to caves and snorkeling…..along with the topless sunbathers, it was a new found paradise. Us girls laid out in our black underwear, as Molly had lost her bottoms in Lisbon and I did not wear a suit…….I figure if women can go topless, we can conservatively be seen in our undies…..after all, it seems anything goes on the beaches here. Forgot to take a picture, you will have to believe me.
Finally realized last night that not only does the McDonalds have cheap salads and diet coke on ice, they also have free wifi and serve beer 24 hours a day! Yippee! Diogo could not believe our McDonalds does not serve beer……………that will be the day, huh?
So, we have left our footprints in the sand of Portugal. They will be washed away and we will be forgotten as two of millions of tourists and travelers. But I will not forget the tiled streets, the castles on the hillsides, the red tiled roofs and clean white buildings. I will not forget the beauty of the beaches and the handsome people. Diogo Martins was a good friend to us and we will treasure our memories of his stories and gifts.
Off to Seville, Spain. I am writing this on my laptop on the bus as Molly sleeps. I am plugged in to my ipod. I feel like a real “techie”~my brother would be proud.
