Be careful of touchy Portugese Men!

Today we went to what you could call a community yard sale. They sell antiques and some sell junk and people rummage through it all to buy things they need or things they don't need. I thought it was pretty interesting. Lots of old things. Some people were selling old rusty bike seats, others books-in fact I found a copy of Nosso Legado (I think it's Our Heritage) at some one's stand. (That's the book with Joseph Smith on the front of it...yellow cover). I found lots of china and jewelry and lots of things that were broken, etc. It was fun and very hot. Dona and her daughter basically stayed at one vendor because they're friends but I walked through the whole thing.


When I returned, Dona and her daughter were still rummaging through the same boxes so I just hung out and waited. While I was waiting a vendor selling old records-vinyls from back in the day, started talking to me. He kept getting closer and closer and kept touching my arm...which was close to the girls (the boobs for those that need translation). I tried folding my arms but then realized that it only made him closer to the girls. Alas, there was not accidental boob grace, and for those of you that think I'm saying this in regret, rest assured I am not. LOL. He was a nice enough man...but be careful of where your arms are in relation to the girls the next time you're talking with a Portuguese man. :)

After we spent some time there, we went to a restaurant and had Bacalhau con Natas-which means cod fish with whipping cream. Sounds gross but it's actually one of my favorites. Dona made me eat three helpings and if it were possible I think she'd make me eat more. Then we had desert. Chocolate Mousse. OH my was it rich. I thought I'd die before I was able to finish it. Alas, there was no dying.

After that we went to another outside market that was selling clothes and things for the house-that were new. I bought a killer green purse and some other things. Over all, it was a good day.

Ahhh, nothing beats the feel of the beach!

Is there anything better than the feel of the sand and ocean water on your feet? I spent the morning at the beach. It was lovely...so peaceful. There are few places I can feel peaceful and the beach is one place. It was a lovely day and I'll likely have a sunburn but...I don't care!

This photo is looking towards the city with the coastline behind me. Can you believe this is like a 10 minute drive from where I'm staying?

This is towards the barriers that they have up to separate the big boats from the small more speed boat types.

Looking out toward home. I think that's the Statue of Liberty in the background.

Just me and the Atlantic Ocean!

I can't say that things are the same here in Portugal. It has been a long time and change does continue and progress happens. Some things look the same while most things are different. I have moments where my mind comes to sudden stop and realizes...UH, I'm back in Portugal. It all seems like a dream to me...a short dream where nothing should change. Alas...it's not a dream but it is a grand blessing.

Hell of a Day...

If I ever have the opportunity to write a book, I want to name it PlayGround Politics. It will be a book about grown adults, educated adults-that act like children fighting in a sandbox. Ridiculous. Any ways...it's been a rough couple of days but we were able to go out again into the city and have a beer!


This was taken at the Cafe Bistro-see below. We were very hungry and SICK of the food at the hotel (which by the way is nice the first day and disgusting the 3rd day in a row-but there aren't other options that are close). We stepped off the train turned right and picked this place. INCREDBILE food. We had incredible bruschetta as an appetizer and I ate a spinach and white cheese crepe. For dessert, I had this amazing ice cream. It was filled with smoke and lovely delicious food. Can you beat that?

Last night the girls and boys went out together after working. These are some of the UK blokes that are freaking hilarious. We went to a lovely, smoke free Italian place. Great food and lovely company.

That's Kev and the waiter at the Italian place. Kev is this bloke that is very quick witted and enjoyable company.

We ran into Rob from Philly on the train on night and he told us a story of this prince that wanted some torte and this 16-year old apprentice chef had to make it as the regular chef was sick. Any ways...it's now a very famous chocolate torte. We found the place and had some. It was....not delicious and has no reason to be famous. I can make a better cake. Now, I must say that the chocolate coating and cream were delicious, however, the sponge portion was dry and unsavory. I believe the bill, for some water and 6 slices was around 35 Euro-the current exchange rate is around $1.70-$1.80. SO...we paid $63 in total or around $10 per slice. It's laughable...but in the end it was simply a great time and great company.

This group of boys, combined with our group of girls...is complete trouble. I've never laughed so hard in my life. It's been great great fun hanging out with these fellas.

Hallo, from Austria

No, hello is not spelled wrong. Other than Danke, that's the only German world I know. LOL. Here are some photos from our first night in Austria. It was an adventure that I can't wait to do again. There is a train stop about 2 minute walk from our hotel. So, two of the UK guys, Tiffany, Liz and myself headed out on Sunday night. It took us forever to understand the train schedule...well...let me reword...Liz found someone that spoke English to help us. We hopped the train and then in a jiff we were in the heart of Austria. We did miss the train on the way home and had to take two taxi's. I think it was around 5o Euro per each-which is about $100. It was a nice ride thought I was worried that our taxi would stop functioning at any minute. The architecture is amazing...so incredibly beautiful. It's sad we don't have things similar in the US. We hung out in a cafe for a bit. Austrian Beer...not so tasty. I sipped a bit...when in Rome. Enjoy the pics. It's 5:30 in the morning here and I've been up the last 4 hours. Can't sleep...so blog and watch German MTV.

This is a photo of the Vienna Opera House at night. Incredible, isn't it!

This is the street we walked down after visiting the Opera House. It has nice shops and it was fun. That fella is one of the folks from UK.

Front entrance ceiling of Opera House.

This is a fountain on one side of the Opera House...beautiful.

Hightop Reeboks. If you look closely you'll see that they are around $160. YOWSERS.

Later!

Crowded flight, bad food and I'm taking up smoking

Day one in a great adventure and this is what you look like when you arrive in Austria after 26 hours of traveling! Flight from SLC to Atlanta was crowded. Not a single empty seat. It was a pretty flawless flight-they even had TV's in each head rest. DAMN-they can put tv's into seats but not give you room for your legs or torso or fat rear ends. I'm relieved to know Delta has priorities. LOL I got to watch this and that and I even came in second place in a trivia game. Apparently, 5D was about 400 points smarter than I was. 5D is a SON OF A BI...scuit eater. The Atlanta Airport was nice-well the train we rode from terminal A to terminal E wasn't too bad. Then onto another flight we went. They served dinner...it was...well...disgusting. I take that back, the chicken was gross, the corn was gross, the potatoes weren't too bad, the brownie was gross. Though the cheese and cracker and 1 oz of spring water wasn't too bad. I'm happy that there was Arbys close to our gate...otherwise...it would have been ugly. The flight was long...2 movies and endless cycles of the fly by fly flying report. The last 2 hours...I knew exactly where we were every 15 minutes. It was torture, I tell you. It's like watching the clock tick one second at a time while waiting to get out of that horrible English class you're forced to take. Gyno appointments are more fun than that. At last, we landed. I probably have lung cancer now, though, so I see no reason to not take up smoking. I forgot that when you go out of the US you can pretty much smoke where you want. The Austrian Airport...was the mecca for smokers. It smelt horrible but the upside is that I won't have to look stupid when I take my first official puff because my lungs are now conditioned! In fact, after a long hot shower...I still smell like smoke. Perhaps it's not smoke at all but the country of Austria welcoming me into her sweet arms. Maybe I've been European all along and the smell just came out. ???? Questions to ponder while I should be working. PS (it's 3:55 in the afternoon and I'ved had about 2 hours sleep in 24 hours-I'M A ROCKSTAR!!!)




Any who...we tried to check into our hotel but our rooms weren't ready so we had to find something to do for 3 hours. So...we went on a futile hunt for food. Though smoking is rampant here nothing and I mean NOTHING is open on Sunday. (Disclaimer: I should say that nothing where we could walk to was open). So, we found an American staple...McDonalds. There are 2 within walking distance of the hotel we're in. Menu similar with some interesting differences. For one, they offer things called "All Stars of America-things like wings, potato wedges and these two burger things (one with corn and one with pineapple). The Corn Burger as I am calling it wasn't too bad. I feel it is my duty to inform all Austrians that these aren't not normal American McDonalds fare-it seems unjust to lie to them. PS-they handed out sour cream dip for the wedges and no ketchup. Why aren't Austrians' fat? Then we wasted about an hour just sitting there talking nonsense.

Long story even longer-checked into the hotel. Safe and sound. I do have some advise for your next trip...

1. Unless you're a size 2-you'll need to seriously consider gastric bypass. Apparently the Airlines think that only super skinny people fly. Even after losing 45 pounds-I was still super squished. So...though generally I'm not a proponent of anorexia-it maybe something to consider when flying.

2. Drugs-use them to sleep and avoid the aisle seat. If I were allowed to go postal on other passengers without ending up in some prison-I'd have kicked a few people that decided to stumble into me repeatedly while I was attempting to sleep. DRUGS people...take them. Forget that "Just Say No" garbage your parents taught you...what do they know any way.

3. If you are any taller than...oh...3 feet tall, have your legs surgically removed from the knees down. This will save you while sitting in a seat so close to the person in front of you, you might as get naked and have some fun (cause you're close...too close, get it? OH, never mind - LOL.

So, there you have it. It's not super creative-but you try this while smoking, on 2 hours of sleep watching 10 Things I Hate About you in German-yeah, I'm talented.

PEACE!