The house is in Aveiro, a small city just south of Porto (the 2nd largest city in Portugal and 8km from the beach). While the location is prime and the scenery beautiful, the real selling point of the whole deal is the company. Paula aka Mami aka Momma tells us we are pretty, gives us flowers, makes us necklaces, fixes our worn out clothes, and showers us with kisses. Fernando aka cowboy aka Papa amazes us with his ability to make meals out of the leftovers we pile up in the fridge and his occasional witty English comments. The majority of our time has been spent with Paulino, our brother from another mother, who tends to beat us up and call us fat and ugly. I can't say anything too nice about him as it would show weakness on our part. But, he is always entertaining with his awkward hyena laugh and woman's clothing.
Whilst here we have seen and experienced much, slowly but surely. We spend countless days on the beach, sit down for dinner at 9 or 10, then head out for a coffee. One day we threw an American BBQ for Paulino's friends, complete with a make shift slip and slide, burgers, and way too much food. In fact, people stared at the food like it was going to eat them. Here is a picture of Jess in action on the slip and slide.
Another day we were escorted to a beautiful old palace by the wonderful Auntie Ze and "took a coffee" like typical Portuguese women. One weekend we took a trip to Porto, well known for it's Port wine. The city is gorgeous, though a bit run down, but definitely one of the more beautiful cities I have seen on this trip. And last but not least, we went for a day trip to Coimbra. It was another beautiful city, home of the 3rd oldest university in Europe. Typical of Portugal, we met a friendly lady on the train who proceeded to show us around the whole city with her friends for the remainder of the day, give us all her contacts throughout the country, and set us up with a ride home to Aveiro.
As for now, we are biding our time until we head to Barcelona to meet up with friends from university. We may stay here in Aveiro a bit longer, then go check out Lisbon (the capital), but who knows what will happen at this point. There is a strong possibility that we will get baptized into the Lurerio family this weekend if we can learn out to pronounce the name correctly.
That's all, folks!
13 comments:
About that picture of Jess on the slip and slide. Next time she should wear clothes!
amanda, you've come a long way from the first days in eating sushi with me in Brazil to now what looks like fish heads. It must be a Portugese thing that drives you to the seas!
Great News on the Canadians Megs going to Barcelona to catch up with you girls. Have a great time.
Okay enough of this. You girls have more than your fair share of family right here. There is no more adoptive stuff. I think maybe you two have been gone so long you have forgotten what you have here. First you want to meet exotic people from foreign places travel to the Bronx. We don't live far from the beach and as long as you just sunbathe the water shouldn't be a problem (jelly fish smelly fish). If you come home we'll just make someone say nice things to you two (I don't know about the kissing though). I will personally make you coffee whenever you want, as long as I feel like it. What more could you possibly want? I do think I like this Fernando guy he seems like my kind of people. Last but not least Jess wear clothes there is no nude slip'n sliding.
P.S. Kaylie Anne now knows how to say "Amanda Who????????" She's still having a little trouble saying Jess but we are working on it.
Miss ya, be well, be safe and keep having fun!
"Friends from university"?! You are becoming so Euro! Love it.
Just checked out the pictures of your Portugal "baptism." You both look so pretty and seems a good time was had by all. I don't think there was that much good cheer at your original baptism, although you did wear white then too. Glad to see that your hosts are blessing you after all the time you spent with them and not booting you out the door! Thank you to them from me for taking such good care of the two of you.
Great pictures girls, you both look so beautiful. You, and we, are so fortunate that you found such a great family to look after you for so many weeks. I'm sure you all taught each other a thing or two. You're on your on your last turn, stay strong, be healthy and be safe. You're amazing!
Hi girls,
It's a shame but you have probably left Portugal already!
I love travelling... Trust me... You can check the Blog from the last trip with my girlfriend at mundosdelendas.blogspot.com , from our trip through South America.
Anyway, I'm just writing this little comment to let you know that it would have been a pleasure too meet you and show you a bit of the hidden amazing places of Coimbra.
You probably wondering where I found out of your blog... And it's funny!
A couple of days ... Maybe already a week ago I was heading up to the beach in Aveiro with my brother in law for some surf lessons... While entering the beach I couldn't stop noticing this strage sticker on the FORBIDDEN SIGN... And here I am!
Well... Wish you two a wonderful trip for the rest.. And if you happen to pass by Cardiff Wales, drop me an email. I'm moving there the 12th September.
Cee ya soon ... Round the world
Pedro aka Peter Pan
we love those girls. they are realy nice, our adoptive americains part of the LOUREIRO family.
auntie
zé
Dear niece, dear goddaughter, dear American family
I’m writing in this blog, once again, just to give you my impression about those sweet, lovely, nice, gorgeous girls we received, for one month, in our country.
They are really pleasant girls and have very agreeable and easy ways of being. Jess, so energetic and speedy. Amanda, mature and calm.
At this moment I feel very sorry because my English is not good enough so as to transmit every thing I feel and think about them.
I want to congratulate their family for such nice daughters, sisters, and nieces.
I will never forget their expressions at the airport, the beautiful sad smiles with lots of meanings, our hugs and Jess’ and Paula’s (their Portuguese mom, my sister) tears, saying goodbye.
Maybe in Easter we will see each other again, for you, my dears, to receive your Easter presents and blessings from your godparents.
As far as I am concerned, I have, now, supplementary motivation to attend to all the congresses, symposia, seminars, meetings and conferences in the States, cause that’ll be a chance to see my dear and adorable nieces.
So long,
Aunt Zé
hello, I see your fotos about Coimbra. Good treep around the world is my wish...
To Ze and Paula and their whole Portugese Family,
There are no words to thank you for taking such good care of the Manda and Jess. I know they needed a little mothering at this leg of their trip. And it is always nice to hear good things about your children. Two girls who make me laugh so much, always make me cry whenever I have to leave them too. Any person or people who could get Manda to eat a fish head must have some magical powers---To Manda and Jess, I do believe in Portugal. I do believe!
To Ze and Paula, thank you for taking care of our girls. I've talked to Jess a few times while she was in your stay and she made me feel so good that she had a loving family looking after her. You are welcome to stay with us any time you are over in the states. I hope to meet you some day. Thank you so so much!
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