Sevilla, Espana

18 April:
In route to Spain! As I said before, it's Semana Santa (Holy Week). Sevilla is the city in Spain that has the largest festival for this. I have a calendar that each day has a destination you should travel to. Once I arrived home, it turns out the day I was in Sevilla my calendar had Semana Santa on that same exact day! Hotels, hostels and everything are completely booked! They practice all year long for the festival. Students in class start asking in September when is Semana Santa. Trust me, it's a huge deal here. 

The guys I met in Faro were on my bus in the morning too. Our plan worked out, we said we were going to Spain! Anyhow, I met my couchsurfing host Martina at the bus station (knew she was going to be awesome right away!)I was her first couchsurfer too! Woo! She is from Slovakia and used to live in England, but now working in Sevilla! 


After dropping my bags off at her house and skyping with my mom really quickly, I had booked tickets from Venice to Sicily, Italy and then from Sicily to Munich! Our European adventure with my mom and aunt is finally getting organized. Can NOT wait for that!
We then went to explore the city. They spent millions and millions of Euros to create this structure for tourism so that Sevilla has an icon within the city. People either love it or hate it because it's so modern compared to everyting else. Nicknamed the mushroom.

The Mushroom

Will eventually have shops at the top!

Everyone ready to watch Semana Santa Processionals

The traditional costume

Semana Santa is even bigger than I could have imagined. Yes, the costumes for us are a bit scary as we relate it to something else; the KKK. Well it turns out that the KKK actually got their costume ideas from this particular festival! It is 100% traditional here in Sevilla and extremely popular as you can tell. Being a part of the processional is an honor in the family.

I only see Starbucks!

Upstairs

After a delicious Starbucks treat, we decided to walk around a bit more and have tapas! Many drink options we had!

Martina!

Classy

Trashy

Deliciousness

Went back to the place after exploring a bit! What a fun place!

Living room

Cow Kitchen!

Couchsurfing!

View from the balcony

Exploring again and we went to Plaza de Espana, where I had once been before! In 1929 Seville hosted the Ibero-American Exposition World's Fair which is why it was built!

Plaza de Espana

Detailed railings

Botas!

After on our way back, we found a park. 

In a tree, typical me!

After the park adventure, we made our way back into the main part of the town with a mission of buying fresas (Strawberries)! Took us awhile as Semana Santa was going on everywhere, but after enough searching, goal accomplished!

Still happening!

Very expensive wine. :)

Taken just for you Megan Saunders!!

Edible kisses from us!

After such great service, we enjoyed our fresas, uvas, queso, y vino. 

Eventually, Alex the other CS staying at Martina's place showed up. He's from Sibera, but now lives in Prague. 

Martina told me that she used eat spaghetti with chocolate. Random!
 
We then went out with all my amigos.

Great People

Who won a 5euro bet? Thanks Johannes!

This bar had fishbowls under the lights at the bar!

 

After dancing, we went back in the streets where Semana Santa was still going on! 

Back to the house to get some sleep. Tomorrow morning we are going to have a typical Semana Santa breakfast. Torrijas, which is basically french toast with a lot of honey! 

19 April:
After we had breakfast, two new couchsurfers arrived at Martina's place! Susie from Alaska and Irma from Hungary, who both lived in northern Spain. Susie teaches English!

It was a rainy day, but we still had fun and enjoyed the city. Walked around and explored as usual.
Oh and Starbucks of course.

Always wanted a clear umbrella! Thanks Martina for letting me borrow it!

We then went to have Tapas, which we had little sandwiches. They got our order wrong,and one of our sandwiches was a chocolate sandwich?!? We didn't we intentionally order that?  

Had to go back to get my stuff, said goodbyes, and off to the airport to my next destination. Not until after one last group photo of us amazing couchsurfers!

The bus route was all messed up due to Semana Santa. Meaning, the bus never showed up, so I went to another stop, bus drivers had no idea where número treinta y dos... Entonces tome un taxi al aeropuerto.

While checking in, there were three very very sterotypical American girls in front of me in line at Ryanair. Hysterical, trying not to laugh out loud. They can't wait to sleep in their bed, how many people are going to cut them in line, they give up on learning Spanish, Northface bags, Louis Vuitton, etc etc etc. Entertaining. Stereotypical.

Albufeira, Portugal

12 April:
Packed up everything and continued my journey! Bought my train ticket, Starbucks, and a tomato and mozzarella sandwich. Officially ready to go! Had a great time in Munich as you saw, will definitely be visiting again as it's only a 90 minute train ride from Innsbruck.

The Starbucks baristas were very polite and then they asked me if I had a cold because of my raspy voice. I told them no and then they thought I partied too much! Haha. If anything I just talk too much!

By the way, they have this brand of chocolate; Ritter Sport. Every imaginable kind you could want. I might be addicted, okay not yet, but I feel the addiction coming on. "Hello, my name is Matt and I'm addicted to Ritter Sport." Everyone- "Hiiiiii Matt."

I added a new way to follow my blog, you don't just have to have a specific kind of email address. Anyone can follow now! On the right hand side under followers you can enter your email address!

Oh and for all you European virgins, I highly highly highly suggest visiting. Yeah it may be an expensive and long flight, but more than worth it. There is more than just history, museums, and old buildings. Although that is everywhere, there's so much more to explore. Why not see how other cultures live for yourself. Up to you obviously, but if you never do then you are missing out. :)

Flying Ryan Air (Gary!!!) from Memmigen to Faro, Portugal. Beautiful beaches and weather ahead! Faro is very southern Portugal. My last couchsurfing host (Detelin) worked at a restaurant on a cliff in Faro a few years ago! Small world!

All transportation to the airport was a breeze. Small international airport and an hour delay with my flight but alles gut. Met two German guys (Dominik and Tim) who are awesome. They are studying sports education. Heading to Portugal to go surfing for their holiday. Made the flight go by quickly as we talked the entire time, shared music, etc. Fun meeting new people. They guessed I was 26. Hilarious.

Landing in Faro in ten minutes. 22:00 and it's 20 Celsius!

Mr manager John picked me up in his business suit and we drove about 30k to Albufeira, a beautiful beach town on the Southern coast of Portugal.

Basically checked into a hotel! Maps, brochures, a house key, and my own room! What service! No wonder he manages a hotel! Talked a lot about the hospitality industry and then got some rest.

13 April:
Good morning sunny Portugal!!! High of 30 today! Can't wait! Went to a cafe and had coffee and a pastry, then drove all around town to get a bit familiarized. What an amazing city. Population 30,000, but in the summer it gets up to 500,000 with all the tourists!

John had to go to work at 11:00, literally a minute walk to the hotel. I took the 12:00 shuttle from the hotel down to the city center. Explored the hotel beforehand, very nice! Four stars.Impressive. 

The Hotel

Steps to John's house

John's House

Got off the bus at a random bus stop. Walked through the old town which was nice.

Old Town

Somehow found the beach! Breathtaking.


 

Walked the beach and eventually went on the pier. Asked an older couple fishing to take a picture. Ended up talking to them for at least two hours! They were so nice. From Holland here for two months. They were interested in what I was doing. They told me all about the town, their life, etc. It was great. Relaxing. Max and Elna were their names. Mac said he sailed from Europe to NYC in a race! We talked about Japan, Lisbon, so many things. They knew so many people in the city. They come here twice a year. They told me about the beach and how it was being rebuilt and dredged currently. So informative! Also there was an earthquake here two weeks about. 4.7 on the Richter scale!

So many shells!

On the pier

 I then left to get a bite to eat. This was an adventure! I wanted to go the newer part of town, the strip. Well you can't just walk along the beach all the way there because there are cliffs. Did I walk the beach and make my way through the cliff? Oh yeah!!! Tiny tiny trails that I was hoping would lead to my destination. After about twenty minutes of up and down and up and down, I found a beach. Kept walking. More cliffs. 

Eventually made it to the strip, or at least I think I'm here! Needed a bite to eat. Went to a restaurant on the beach, Vivaldos. 1/2L of the most delicious Sangria I have ever had. A chicken toasty and sweet potato fries! Delicioso! Not sure how much happier I could be, unless you were here of course!

Asked a guy to take my picture who I then asked where he was from. This turned into a conversation and we hung out for awhile! He's from Brazil, lived in Dublin for the past eight years and now moved back to Portugal. He was pretty fun, he said he needed to practice his English and I wanted practice my Spanish. I probably spoke Spanish for at least an hour! So great, why can't German be this easy!! 

  Explored the beach, had pizza and called it a day.

First full day in Portugal, beyond success. Can't get over the cliffs! 

14 April:
Woke up, got ready, met John at the hotel (working as always!) Then I took the bus to a different stop. Found a supermarket, and made my way to the beach. Amazes me how I end up exactly where I intend to go without asking for directions or looking at a map. It's more fun that way anyway. 

Don't slip!

Just for you Kristin!

So I'm always amazed at what franchises I am familiar with and where they are world wide. Well in Albufeira there was Pizza Hut, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King and a Remax. I think that's all I saw. Just interesting to me.

At all of the roundabout in the city, there are art sculptures which is how people recognize the roundabout. Some have a watch, a globe, dolphins, and a lot more. Pretty interesting. 

Meeting John at pine cliffs during his break from work. Going to walk the beach.

We walked to the next town!! Total of two hours!! Walked to Villa More and turned around. About 8k total. Talked more about hotels, traveling, family, etc. He had to return to work, I returned to a new beach shaded by the cliffs. Relaxing now. I had some snacks and then walked walked and walked down the beach.

Sunset

Eventually made it to the main strip right at sunset and went back to my little restaurant. White sangria, vegetable soup, and spinach lasagna. 

The Strip

I ended up having entertainment the entire dinner. This HIlARIOUS drunk old British woman was talking loudly the entire time, telling stories and everything. She bought ten pairs of swimming goggles because she likes swimming. She has definitely had too much wine. She put two shrimp shells on her fingers and made a little puppet show. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. She also bought scrabble today because she said "who knows when you will be stranded in an airport." Everything she said was funny. They brought out a plate of desserts and she gasped.... "We are on a budget!" The kids came back from the beach and said... Mom can we go on a cruise. She immediately said "of course we can..." Then she looked at her friend and said "I just don't know when." She also dated a guy from Denmark and it took her a good minute to remember his name... She was trying to pronounce it and changing names. Quite a character she is. Thanks for the entertainment!

Anyhow a great great day. Relaxing combined with a lot of walking.

15 April:
 Lots of sleep and a day of doing very little! I need to do this more often! Rejuvenated! The extent of my day was going to a huge mall. Got a few bags of food. Bananas, oranges, kiwis, pears, chips and salsa!! Almonds from Portugal and a very very good typical portugese dessert: honey cinnamon cake. Delicious!! Aren't you glad you know everything I bought?

Researching my next trip, it's looking like Ireland?

Going to Faro tomorrow and spending one or maybe more nights. Attending a couchsurfing dinner!! Can't wait!

16 April:
Another great day. Skyped with mom and think we have our European Adventure planned out! Looking forward to that!! Still figuring out where I'm going, but I'm thinking Ireland still. Why not?

John took me to Faro during his break from work. Another gorgeous day. I've just been exploring and walking around like I always do! Found a great Starbucks wannabe! Sat outside and had some mint chocolate coffee.

Explored more, watched the sunset on a little pier and about to go to dinner! Hope someone will host me tonight! I have my tiny black bag packed for a one night stay. Camera, phone, wallet, deodorant, toothbrush, gel, and a change of clothes! Will take the train to Albufeira tomorrow. Monday or Tuesday I will fly out to my next destination most likely.

Not sure if I mentioned it yet, but they have almond, fig, olive, and orange trees here in Portugal! Awesome!

Wow wow wow wow! Toooooo much fun! Met A LOT of people! Over thirty people went! We had appetizers, wine, main dish (Vegetarian dish for me!), dessert, and coffee. I met Rachel from the states who is teaching English here in Spain. Also met a nice couple from Portugal. Everyone was so great! Tried to guess where I was from, hysterical. England? no!! They said the only thing that made me look American was my shoes! Ironic thing is that these are the only things I've bought in Portugal!!!! Guessed I was 25 also.

After dinner we went out for drinks. The best gang: Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Bulgaria, USA. Went all over town.

Being classy

Couchsurfing in Faro!

Carlos!

Guess what happened next?

Yuppp!

 We went to a bar that had fifty cent drinks. Lost some of the gang, found then, 

By the way, there is apparently a dress code in Faro?!?!? We couldn't stop laughing about it. Guess my banana colored shorts were just too bright for them! 

They were amazed by my voice. Think u should be a singer, such a deep voice. Then we all started singing Don't Speak by no doubt! Hysterical.

We say we don't study any subject, we are studying other countries and Erasmus! They said they felt like they knew me for years! Lots of fun.

Obregado!!

17 April:

Woke up, laughed all morning. Ate oranges!!! Went to have coffee and then rushed to train station to catch my train back to Albufeira.

Decided I would go to Sevilla that day? Spontaneous I know. But Senana Santa is happening right now there! Then fly out to Dublin? Or move on to Malaga? Who knows! Having the time of my life just going with the flow, meeting great people! Other two guy are hitchhiking, have tents, everything! They are couchsurfing tonight in Sevilla if they make it there.

Living life to say the least. No plans, whatever sounds right I go along with always always always wanted to do this!!

Wow!!! Hecticness! Adrenaline! John picked me up at the train station, on the train I decided to go to Sevilla, Spain. I packed up everythkng in about five minutes, put in a last minute request on couchsurfing, and bought a flight to Dublin from Sevilla also! Insane!!! Sped to the bus station just a few minutes before the bus left to Sevilla. Then it all came to an abrupt stop. Completely booked, last bus out. Hmmm... They said they would see if there was an empty seat. Nope! No worries though, booked for seven am for tomorrow! Guys that were going to go didn't book a ticket either and I called them! Haha looks like we will all be on the same bus in the morning!

Gives me time to nap, print boarding pass, and find a place to stay in Dublin though!
So instead we went to Johns brother in laws house. Hung out there and talked for awhile! Learned a lot as always.
 
 Found out I have a place to stay in Sevilla during Semana Santa (nearly impossible!) very  much looking forward to that. Think I have a place to stay the first few nights, will have to figure out the rest later. What an exciting adventure it's been so far!

Out to pizza with John and then to the strip for a drink. Bus leaves early tomorrow to Spain!

Portugal- you were great!! So glad I got to stay here for so long! Relaxing and beautiful. Off to Espana!