And then the sun set…

 

The sun setting over the back yard

 

  All things come to an end.  Even when we’re with the one’s we love, life constantly changes.  Such is the case for Anne and I.  While I would love to be out there right now, I find myself back in the United States.  It is a time of great change for me.  A time to get used to being alone in my home, and a time to prepare.  

 So, what am I preparing for?  Well, even though things end in life, it is usually because something new is beginning.  In this case it’s that Anne will be coming out to the US.  Dates are not set in stone as work needs must be obliged, but we’re looking at a 3 month visit, starting as soon as December.  I’m very excited to make this announcement, and I think it will be wonderful if Anne and I can share this Christmas together.

  Touching back on my trip, it has been an experience I’ll never forget.  I’ve learned so much and met so may wonderful people.  I am very proud to have been so welcomed into Anne’s life.  To be let in to such a different world.  I look forward to going back and seeing so many nice and fun people again.  

  I’d like to thank you all for reading along about my adventures over the past 3 months.  It’s been a pleasure writing for you all, and I am not sure what I shall do next with the blog.  I’ve had some requests to keep a simply weekly one so people know more easily what I’ve been up to.  I take this opportunity to ask you, the reader what you’d like.  Feel free to e-mail me or post a comment here on if I should keep this blog going or simply archive it.

Home and alive!

Sources say i’m back in Seattle, and in my Apartment.  Lots of processing to do right now, so no big posts.  Just wanted everyone to know I made it back safely.  I will be writing a longer post tomorrow or the next day.

Portugal was fabulous!

  Lots to share but no time really, it’s my last full day with Anne so my focus is there.  I have however posted a set or 2 of photos for you all to see, just check out the various Portugal pictures pages and enjoy.  Tomorrow I’ll be back in the States and we’ll see if I’m up for sharing some final thoughts.  Maybe talk about the future of Anne and I, and of course the website itself.

Still kicking and breathing…

  So first the bad news, I’ve caught a cold.  Now that that’s out of the way though, on to some plesant news.  Despite coming down with said cold a couple days ago, I’ve continued to enjoy the paradise that is Southern Portugal. 

   In particular I took the opportunity to enjoy taking a 2 hour walk with everyone on Sunday along the beach to Vilamoura.  The walk was very nice for its views and because I found a live crab scuttling along the beach which I promptly picked up and played with.  Thankfully the crab was patient enough not to pinch me, and to pose a bit.  Perhaps it was an international model.

  Another thing I’ve enjoyed is plenty of beach time.  This has brought about a great tan, not only for me but for everyone around.  I’ve even taken the chance to spend a couple days in the ocean, which is absolutely one of my favorite things to do.  People down here are very friendly, and happy to have tourists about.

  Speaking of tourism, if you happen to find yourself down here I would strongly recommend, La Cigale, which is in Olhos D’Agua, Albufeira Portugal.  It’s a little on the pricey side, but the food was spectacular.  The service outstanding.  The view of the beach, well simply stunning at sunset.  Plus if the sunset isn’t your thing you can view Vilamoura.  As the sky grows dark, the city begins to light up like the stars in the sky, all in all very picturesque. 

  The only thing I’ve really missed so far in Portugal was a church that had its walls lined with skulls.  I am a bit sad that I didn’t get to see such a magnificent place, but the cold does require some tending.  Plus I certainly want to be better by the end of this week, since I’ll be leaving Netherlands in just around a weeks time.  Look to a closing post on everything, giving information on plans and such.  For now I’ll bid you all a fond farewell as it’s time to go relax with my girlfriend and maybe watch a movie.

Oh that blessed blessed sun…

  Good day folks, Steve here once again to bring you some news from abroad.  My stay in Portugal has been short, but so far very nice.  The good news for all of you, is I found an internet cafe, so I can share my musings (then again maybe that is not so good. )  The bad news though is that I don’t have a way to upload my photos, so those will have to wait.  So far I think I’ve logged some 100 shots in 2 and a half days.  I will however be posting them upon my return to Netherlands.  On to business though.

  So we arrived on a Wednesday.  Not only that but we left the house at 3:45am to catch the plane.  This was accomplished by one of my favorite methods, staying up all night.  That was basically out only course of action seeing as Anne and I hadn’t packed yet.  All I can say about that is, it’s great to be with someone who thinks like me.

  Catching the plane was painless, and I came to realize something.  I’ve only visited Netherlands once, and yet I’ve already been in Schiphol 4 times, and it’ll be 6 by the time I come back to The States.  I would love to tell you all about the plane ride, except I was passed out for the entire thing.  I only woke up a couple times to check if Anne was doing all right then I went right back to sleep.  The silly thing is I somehow woke up about 30 seconds before we flew along the southern coast of Portugal, and past the house we’d be staying in.  Considering how bad my internal clock is, and the fact that I’ve only ever see the house in pictures, I’d call that pretty good.

  Once we hit the airport things went smoothly.  Anne’s father was there to pick us up, along with Rutger, her brother.  It took about half an hour to get to the house.  I found the drive interesting, if not familiar, as the country side made me think a lot of Peru, and the way the country is built.  Anne’s father made a really interesting comment that a lot of the country felt like it was only half built, as if they had started a project and just decided 80% of the way through to move on to the next one.  And ya know what, he was right.  That’s exactly how it felt.  Even 2 blocks away from our place there is a house that has been only half complted for at least 8 years now, and that’s perfectly normal.  As we got closer to the house though, things became quite a bit nicer.

  I do not believe I could describe the house adequetly.  It was commisioned by Carien’s father, and is fairly old for the region.  It is host to beautiful vined flowers, and tapestries.  The charm is very down to earth, while maintaining a classy feel.  There is a pool in the backyard, that shines a brilliant blue when the sun sets.  It remains cool without air conditioning, even when the heat is stifiling outside.  As the kicker the ocean is visible pool side, and one is within a 5 minutes walk to the beach. Truly a marvelous place to vacation.

  One of the things I’ve found myself really appreciating is the Sun.  It’s an odd thing to say considering I left Colorado in large part due to the sunny weather.  Maybe since I don’t see a terrible amount of it in Seattle or Utrecht, I now appreciate it.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve no want to be in a terribly sunny place again, but while I’m here I’m going to soak it up and enjoy it as much as I can.

  I have lots more to say about the trip, but no time to say it.  What I can say is that I am having a blast out here.  I’ve been enjoying the sun, the ocean and the pool.  We’ve seen a castle, been to the mountains, and eaten traditional Portugese food.  I am very glad I took this journey to another part of Europe, and strongly recommend it to anyone.  I will do my best to get another post out for the Monday morning reading, but it might be til Tuesday when I can sneak up here next.  All the best to you all.