The week has come to an end...
Trip Start
Sep 24, 2011
1
4
Trip End
Oct 02, 2011
Albufeira, Faro, Portugal
Friday, September 30, 2011
Last night we had dinner at a great seafood place right on the beach--we literally had to trek across the beach to get to the restaurant but it was amazing. We had wine and apps ahead of time before we left for dinner. Then our group of 11 headed out for some more local imbibing and great food. We had clams and giant prawns (also known as head on) for apps, along with a cucumber/tomato salad. Then I had golden bream. The whole fish. It's something to get used to.
After dinner we were sitting and relaxing and talking about getting older and I *foolishly* mentioned my birthday was in 12 days. Well, fear not, my friends weren't going to let that go uncelebrated. They went off to talk to the owner and sampled some desserts--also requested 2 guitars apparently--and brought back and almond tart. Imagine the Portugese version of pecan pie. Pretty darn good. They sang to me in English, then German and then French. It was a lot of fun and I was painfully embarrassed. I should know better than to open my mouth with this crew!
After dinner we headed back to the hotel and had a drink with some of our sales folks. Well, leave it to my crew to say "Did you know it's Heather's birthday?" Another round of explaining it really wasn't yet, along with singing and piano accompaniment this time. Oy. It was really quite nice and a load of fun but I definitely was red faced. The funniest was when I had a friend who I am friends with on Facebook say, "No! Facebook would have told me! It's not today..." Who knew Facebook would be my proof point.
So tonight it will be a low-key night with some friends from home and from Europe. After that, back to pack and leave in the morning for Lisbon where I'll spend the day exploring. I'm really looking forward to the day and being alone for what feels like the first time in 2 months. I love my colleagues and it's been an amazing couple of weeks spending time with them but I'm overloaded. When you live alone but spend 2 full weeks entertaining and hanging out with others, sharing all but 3 meals in 2 weeks it gets exhausting. Fun but exhausting for sure.
Signing off now to head back to the room then the beach for a few minutes before dinner. I need some decompression for sure. Until next time...Adeus.
