The adventure continues . . .

After a bit of frustration with technology, we were finally able to get our GPS to actually speak English which is a great thing since that is the only language that I understand . . . we headed out onto the streets of Portugal.  It was about a 45 minute drive and finally with the help of the local mailman and a payphone (yes, we used a payphone since our cell phones weren’t on an international plan), we found these familiar faces . . . .

It was SO good to see the Roses and even more fun to be able to spend the next four days cruising around a foreign country with them.  We were able to see quite a bit of the country and tried to squeeze in as much as we possibly could.  However I must admit that I would have been perfectly content sitting on the couch in their living room and just talking.  They are such amazing people and what a blessing it is to have them in my life.  Of course I must admit that talking while wondering the castle walls in Obidos was pretty cool. 

We also headed into Coimbra where there is an amazing University.  The students all wear robes like they do in Harry Potter. 

I can’t imagine having to dress in those every day in order to attend class.  While there we went to their famous library.  You know the library in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast . . . well this library is just like it and had I been allowed to take pictures I would have as it was amazing.  I’m actually quite surprised they were able to get me to leave.

Love their plant holders!

Sunday we went to church, okay we attended a Sacrament meeting in one ward and then Sunday School in another ward 40 minutes away and since Brother Rose is a Councilor in the Mission Presidency there we spent most of the day in between a few cities as he attended meetings.  One of those was right by the ocean so we just had to stop and take some pictures.

The next day we traveled to Sintra.  We toured another castle, walked another wall and then went through another mansion.  However what I loved most about this mansion was the grounds.  I could have played hide-and-go-seek for days on end.  There were tunnels and passages and secret places everywhere I turned.  It was a child’s (or a child at heart) wonderland. 

We ended the night by going to a light house.  It is the furthest point in Europe for something put I can’t read the sign and I can’t remember exactly to what.  Oh well, but hey I was there. 

It was sad for the next day we had to say our goodbyes.  I won’t tell you that we all didn’t cry because that would be a lie.  Sister Rose and I both had a hard time.  I will be excited when they get home and will only be 30 minutes away again. 

We spent the day in Lisbon as our flight left at 6:00 the next morning we decided it would be best to stay a couple of minutes away from the airport as to be able to get some sleep that night.  So we jumped onto a bus tour and took in as much of the city as possible before calling it a night and the end of our trip.

Over all it was a great trip.  The food left much to be desired, but other than that they both were beautiful countries.  I will say that it neither hit my favorite places list, but they all can’t now can they.