“When you’re on a holiday, you can’t find the words to say
all the things that come to you, and I wanna feel it too. On an island in the
sun, we’ll be playin and havin fun, and it makes me feel so fine I can’t
control my brain…”
Lagos, Portugal. Those are the only two words that can be
smashed into one definition: paradise. This past weekend, I went to Lagos, a
city on the very southwestern point of Portugal, on the Atlantic Ocean. I have
honestly never been to anywhere more beautiful. I have gone to many places so
far on my study abroad trip, but cities can only be so beautiful to a point. Manmade
structures are one thing, but completely raw and natural beauty carved from the
hands of the earth is another thing completely…
Upon arriving after a four hour bus ride from Sevilla, our
first stop before checking into the hotel was la Ponta de Piedade, an amazing
natural rock structure lining the coast for miles and miles. Its arches, peaks
and points all converge together to create coves, nooks and crannies in the
rocks and that tiny dinghy boats dash in and out of to show people to inside of
the watery caves. Although it was a bit cloudy when we got there, it was hot
and humid and the air was thick with the smell of saltwater. I have never seen
water that is clearer or bluer than the water on the coast of Lagos. The pictures
that you see are not enhanced or photoshopped, it is just that amazing!
After spending some time admiring mother nature’s sheer beauty,
my girls and I discovered that our hotel was literally right on one of the many
many amazing beaches that Lagos has to offer. After checking in and throwing on
our bikinis, we ran right down to Praia Dona Ana, a basically secluded cove of
natural rock formations jutting up from the depths of the crystalline teal
water, and lined with white sand covered in seashells and tiny little scurrying
crabs, that are quick to run back into tide pools filled with sea urchins and anemones.
We spent the entire day lying on the beach, exploring the rocky caves, wading
through the ocean, collecting shells, building sand castles, soaking up the
sun, and drinking fruity beverages. After a long day of relaxing, we got
dressed and went down into the center of town. Lagos is definitely a summer destination.
Although it was amazing weather for us, most locals think that it is still “too
cold” to go out to the beach much. It wasn’t cold at all for me, quite the
contrary! People in Europe still amaze me. In Sevilla with 70 degree weather
plus, people are still wearing sweaters, and I am fighting the urge to wear
jean shorts, even though that is socially unacceptable here. Anyway, we ended
up eating at cool surf/reggae themed little restaurant called Nah Nah Bah,
where we got some delicious sangria and amazing burgers with pineapples and
some amazing spicy orange sauce on them. After dinner, we went out to a
discoteca called the Grand Café, and danced the entire night and early morning away.
Saturday, we started the day off right, because despite
little sleep, we boarded a large sailboat and took a cruise out into the ocean,
and through the caves and coves of the shoreline. The water was so clear, and
the sun was shining, glimmering onto the ocean’s surface, throwing glittering reflections
of light and glass off my sunglasses. We went in a tiny dinghy out into the
coves, and I was literally waiting for Ariel to pop out and any second and
start singing about how she wished she had legs to join me on land. After two
hours of heaven on earth out on the ocean, when I thought things couldn’t get
any better, they did. We went to another wonderful beach and played in the tide
pools and lay in the sand all afternoon. I took an amazing nap in the hot
sunshine, and my back hated my for it later because of the sunburn, but it was
vale la pena! After a long afternoon on the beach, we returned to our hotel for
showers, naps, and a change of clothes. Then we left for Cabo San Vicente,
which is the very tip of Portugal, which looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean (17
day boat trip to the USA, fun fact). They call it “The End of the World” and it
is not hard to see why. Back in the day, before maps and modern technology and
the concept of gravity, people in Europe DID think that the edge of Portugal
really WAS the end of the world, and that if they continued into the distant horizon,
they would fall off the edge of the world and forever be lost to the unknown
fathoms of its depths. I have never been to Ireland, but I would imagine that
the view is something similar to the Cliffs of Moher. The view of the sunset
was incredible, even though it got a bit chilly once the sun set.
After returning to the hotel for a moment, we went out to
dinner at a diner called Rockafellas, where although the wait was long, the
food was good. After dinner we went to a little hole in the wall bar called Joe’s
Garage, where we spent most of the night.
Sunday, our last day, was spent much the same as the first
two: beaching, napping, and wishing that I never had to leave the beautiful
paradise that I had found. I spent my last hours soaking up all the vitamin d
that my body could handle, and I left the beach with great memories, a sunburn,
and sand caked into my hair. If I ever get the chance, I would return to Lagos
in a heartbeat, and I would also love to see more of Portugal!
In other news, here in Sevilla, this week is going to be one
of the hardest to date! I have to finish my history term paper by Wednesday,
and on Thursday, I am going to Prague to visit Brent, finally!! I am so excited
to see him and to also see Prague, the city I have heard so many great things
about. This week/weekend is also what is called “Feria de Abril” in Sevilla. Basically
one of the biggest street carnivals/parties in Spain. People from all over come
just to see it! But that means for me, that I am babysitting right now, and
that I will also be here on Tuesday and Wednesday night, because Reyes and
Angela’s mom and dad are out partying the night away at Feria while I watch
their children and slave over all my homework after they go to bed, waiting for
their parents to return in the wee hours of the morning. Oh well, at least it
gives me no other option but to buckle down and do homework! And they money doesn’t
hurt either ;)
For everyone back at CMU, kick butt on finals! You’re so
close to being done! See you in 24 days, America!
