Friday, April 8, 2011

Lisbon, Portugal

Yeah, I went to Portugal for the weekend. I feel like such a wonderful snob saying that! Things about Protugal different from Spain: 1 They speak Portuguese. However you can still get by speaking Spanish. 2 The people are more open and loud. 3 I should really spend more time there so I can't describe more.

Above is a sweet bullfighting ring that we randomly snuck into and walked around in after we tried to go the this awesome famous beach and castle area and couldn't because the train workers were on strike.

Afterward we determinately found a lesser know beach we could get to and made our way there. This beautiful laundry was right next to the pier.



I feel like this could be a book cover with Michelle as the protagonist in a coming-of-age drama


I think this qualifies as a mollusk? Anywho, whatever critter lives in that was definitely still inside and i wanted to open it to see..
This is where I tried, got a glimpse, freaked out, then left it alone :)

More beach art, this time of the sculptural variety. The shells here were so beautiful and shiny and smooth. They had such a spectrum of colors that was so delicious! I think I have been missing out on beaches for most of my life.



A Ba-gillion shell creatures! Crazy!




Being here just made me understand all those books I've read about people fascinated with the sea. I could picture living in a lighthouse and gazing over that glorious and mysterious expanse for hours.

Then this happened...







Maybe all that fresh sea air wasn't so good for me after all :)



The next morning we met up with some of our pals and checked out some of the sights. I saw this on the way and loved the color so here it is

We went to this awesome tower with sculptures of important rulers or something. You can see it in the background. It was a lot of fun!




This is what it looks like from the front. Then we went up an elevator inside to see the view from up top!




Don't ask. We were walking through a tunnel under the road and I took a picture. I think it has a cool intangibility and color.

Then we made it to this amazing cathedral connected to a monastery. My goodness was it ever beautiful! It was one of the smallest ones I had been into but so intricately decorated!




When we headed back to our hostel Chelsey walked by this wall and I stopped her and made her be my model. The colors were just so perfect I couldn't resist. Her gorgeousness just begs to be photographed




Here was the lovely market area in the walkway around the main plaza. They had all sorts of beautiful hand-made trinkets and the like. It was a good thing I didn't bring much money with me or I would have spent far to much money.

I like doors


Yeah, these awesome mural-ed buildings were right next to were we stayed, WHAT!

And here is our lovely hostel, it was UNREAL!


Thanks Portugal for a great weekend!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Family


Here is my family! These people Let me into their lives and made such a huge impact on me I love them! L to R: Ana, Alvaro (the baby), Nacho Sr., Paco, Irene, Katy, Nacho Jr, and Javier. Sadly Raquel is not in this picture, but the rest of the gang is here!
Irene made a special Paella dinner for us as a farewell and so we could take pictures.


The best Paella in the world!


Mama Irene was always cooking and working and helping and just being a wonderful mom. She really cared for me like I was a part of her family and I will never ever forget her.

This is an earlier Paella picnic we had. Raquel and Irene's sister joined us.




Here is cute Katy in our cute little house. I miss it already!

Yummy leftovers!