First weekend out of Spain and last weekend in Europe truly made
for a perfect combination.
We thought we had become experienced public transportation
travelers – until we met the train. Renfe overnight is no joke. Nothing could
prepare us for an eight-hour ride trying to sleep in possibly the most
uncomfortable (and pretty dirty) environment ever created. However, don’t get
us wrong, this trip was quite enjoyable and full of laughs.
After arriving in Lisbon, Portugal bright and early on Saturday
the first order of business was finding and checking into our hostel. With that
complete, we set out for our first day without a plan. Just a dozen college
students, metro passes, and a handful of maps. We ended up at a “legendary”
market that, in all honesty, was not a market at all. Let’s just saw that other
people’s trash did not turn out to be our treasure. But in the spirit of
spontaneity, we found a church hidden in this mess, and once again the views
were impeccable.
After the first day we weren’t sure that Lisbon was what we had
imagined but the second day changed our minds. Yellow buildings and tiled walls
stole the show in the San Francisco of the Iberian Peninsula. We began our day
with only general goals but high expectations and every expectation was
exceeded. There is a lot to be said for aimless wandering in Eurpope; el tiempo
es que vivirlo (“the time is for living it”).
Belém was beautiful but the pastries were even greater.
After a month of touring monasteries, churches and cathedrals the
Castle of St. George was a breath of fresh air. Fabulous views and wonderful
companions sure made our last day in Portugal the greatest.
Three and a half hours of sleep later we are waking up and headed
to our last day of classes. Can’t believe the summer of a lifetime is almost
over.
Bon día,
Hailey & SK
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