Hello from over yonder! We are writing from Lagos, a small town on the southern coast of Portugal, and for the first time since we've left home we can look out across the ocean and know that the next big landmass is the good ol' US of A. It's a comforting thought. Jon found us this lovely little holiday apartment for like 45 euro a night (as it's low season) complete with a kitchen, a washing machine (a lifesaver as we've been smelly for months now...the bathroom sink just doesn't quite cut it) a large patio off the kitchen and bedroom overlooking the ocean, and a rooftop sun deck. Amazing!! Its just what the doctor ordered and we've been soaking up the sun on our rooftop, reading like crazy (we found a second had English bookstore run by a Scottish man, something we've been pining for since leaving Asia) and cooking all of our meals. We were pretty exhausted from traveling, especially the last few months. The three weeks we spent in Italy were not a high point on the trip and left us a bit discouraged I think. The weather was fabulous as of course the gelato and pizza and coffee and wine and architecture and art, but we found the people to be so rude and the cities more like Disneyland than actual proper cities. We enjoyed Tuscany and Torino was lovely, but I don't think we will ever go back. I can think of a guzillion places I would rather be, including here. Not that we expect people to be kind to us as foreigners, but because of the kindness we've received elsewhere in the world perhaps our expectations were too high for Italy, but everyone we've ever met including people on this trip just loooves Italy. I think the only true kindness we received there was on our first night in Rome when a French Algerian helped us navigate the bus system at 2am when we got off our plane. We never would have found our campsite without him. Another was the Chinese family who ran the guesthouse we stayed at in Torino, they always smiled and said hello. And on our last day in Italy when a Moroccan man chatted with us and welcomed us to Italy! Ha! Perhaps it's a cultural thing. The week we spent in Spain with my parents was lovely and revived us in a big way, and so far we've just loved Portugal. Strangely it reminds us of Turkey, perhaps because of its economic status or the kindness of its people or the slow pace of life or the way its cities are built up along the sea. Either way I could stay here for a long time. We spent a few days in Oporto wandering around the city and tasting port at the warehouses where it was first made. We went to Taylor's, since 1692...older than our country! Jon tried the 30year aged as he is now 30. A wine as old as him, and it was sweet like maple syrup but still very strong. Just like him.
We will stay here another week and rent a motorbike to explore the hidden beaches along the coast. Then off to Paris, London town, Reykjavik, and home!!! It's hard to believe! It makes me feel a little panicky and sad, but I know this won't be the end of our adventures, and of course the most amazing part of this trip is just getting to spend all of this time together. A rare gift! I've started getting a little misty eyed when I imagine our entrance back into the States through US customs when the person who, having looked through your passport, stamps it and says, "Welcome Home!" A small gesture, but one that has always been very meaningful to me. It has always been easy for me to romanticize the faraway, the exotic, the unknown, but now for us, nearing the end, nothing sounds as romantic as the familiar.
Photos: Oporto, Port tasting, Lagos beach house (it doesnt get any better than this), Oporto has a cute old town that's still walled and has lots of narrow winding streets and little shops andbcafes, The rest are Jon's gorgeous photos here in Lagos....
I lived about 2 hours north of Oporto - we visited there several times. I loved Portugal - I hope you enjoy the rest of your time there! The photos are lovely. Rest up!
ReplyDeleteHi from The Owl Story Book Store in Lagos...
ReplyDeleteHope Paris is treating you well, it's same old same old here in the 'centre of culture' lol
May the sun be always on your face and the wind at your back. Or, as Jon said 'catch you on the flip side'
Hope you enjoy the homecoming... easy on the burger n fries guys!
peace out InI n kisses fromn Bonnie