Faro

Ever since I left Portugal a few weeks ago, all I've wanted to do is go back. I get off the bus and wander into the southern town of Faro. I'm sitting at an internet cafe trying to scrounge up phone numbers of possible couchsurfing hosts, send out a few text messages, and moments later Joao breezes into the internet cafe and gives me a ride to his apartment.

His two cats greet me warmly, one is named Sagres which is the name of a town and also a Portuguese beer. I take a moment to organize myself. Joao has to go back to work so he drops me off at the beach on the way. Before I get out of the car he apologizes for his poor English (which isn't poor at all) and also for the poor weather (which again, isn't poor at all.) He'll be done with work around 3p and he'll come back to pick me up then.

After my debacle in Seville, I've only got one day in Faro and I'm perfectly content to spend it on the beach.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

dogs playing on the beach always make me smile.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

wierd little decorative chimney's around here;

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

I walk along the only street that runs between the beach on one side and a harbor on the other. I want to see the houses.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

The houses start off normal looking enough.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

But then they get enveloped by sand.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

If you hate having sandy beach feet in your house, then this is your worst nightmare. The streets and the sidewalks here are made of sand. I'm not even sure these houses don't have sand instead of regular floors on the inside. And really, when you've got sand up to your doorstep, why bother

Caught this big fella taking a nap in the shade.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

good 'ole pickleweed.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Last chance to be a tourist for a little while so I whipped out my old friend the camera, set up the timer, and help my own little personal photo shoot. I wanted to remember what my face looks like when it's not destroyed by stress and what a smile looks like when the happiness behind it is real.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

we did have a bit of a malfunction. This is the photo my camera took in mid-air as it got knocked off its makeshift tripod by the wind.

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Just one more picture of my feet for good measure

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

look at the old wash tub in the corner

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

This street brings new meaning to the term 'beach house.'

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Travel tips on the beach by yours truly;

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

A quick swim...
and saying goodbye


I claim this land...for my bathing suit top!

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Ok, this is the last feet picture, I promise

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Looking pensive (or worried)

From Portugal, #2- Faro

and bad ass

From Portugal, #2- Faro

time to pack it up and head home...

From Portugal, #2- Faro

I love botched English translations

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Back at the apartment, Joao and I head to the supermarket for provisions and he cooks up a tasty Spaghetti Bolognese. Nice apron!

From Portugal, #2- Faro

Meanwhile, the cats are mesmerized by my stuff

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

We head out for a quick tour of Faro. It's a beautiful little town that I wish I had more time to explore;

Portugal is filled with janky old, crackling buildings. It's...well...beautiful. This one is literally breaking in half:

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

My last European sunset for a while:

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro

From Portugal, #2- Faro