Greetings. I felt bad about my lack of blogging today on my long bus ride from Peniche to Porto, so I figured I would do one just for fun. As I just said, I am now in Porto, which is about 6 hours away from Peniche. Funny enough though, there is not a logical bus route for getting to Porto from Peniche. I had to take a bus two hours south to get on a 4 hour bus up north... why couldn't it just have been a trip two hours north? I am not genius, but that makes no sense to me. Peniche was great. They didn't hold the men's portion of the surf contest till today though of course, so I didn't get to see any of that. I did get to see the womens though, and it was discouraging that those girls surf so much better than me. I did get to do a bit of surfing in Peniche. I borrowed a board from a surf shop and had to rent a wetsuit, which turned out to be neon green or yellow (couldn't figure out which one, but regardless it was very bright) all down the back. It was my first time back in the water in about 5 months or so, and let me tell you, I sucked and felt so awkward. I was so pumped on getting in the water though. It was a punchy little beach break and only about 2-3 feet. It was howling off shore though and after about 30 minutes started to rain. At one point it was raining so hard that you could not see the waves coming. It was actually pretty cool, but impossible to paddle in. Paddling for a wave during that time period was insane. The off shore wind made the thumbnail size rain drops feel like nickels hitting you in the face. I was with this Argentinean guy who was so funny too, he was body boarding and got one barrel and was so fired up. I got no barrels and actually went over the falls on a 1 foot wave. I could really notice the difference in my body though when I was paddling. All my surfing muscles are so weak and my gut doesn't really help either. Pizza and cheeseburgers are not fitness foods I guess. There was so beautiful sights in Peniche. I walked this beach there every day and it was great. So beautiful and peaceful. Places like that make me miss home a lot. In the cities there is so much going on thats captivates your mind, but when you are alone walking on a big empty beach, your brain just starts running at a very high frequency. I loved it though, kept thinking how cool it was that I was on a beach in Portugal. Oh yea, after surfing, it was still raining and I had to return the board I borrowed, so I figured I would just keep the neon wetsuit on and not bother getting all my other stuff wet (because it was in Fernandos nifty backpack). So I run back, end up finding another little peak down the way as I was running and went out for a wave there for a bit, then return the board. I ran back along the beach, and found a sandal along the way, which I figured would be good to use so I could protect at least one foot incase I were to encounter broken glass again. Once I started getting into town I got the weirdest looks. Soaking wet in the rain, neon wetsuit, and one blue/turquoise sandal. It didn't bother me really, but I thought for sure there was going to be a car crash because people were just staring at me as they drove with the strangest expressions on their face. The hot shower after that adventure was the best I've had in a long time though. Something about a nice hot shower after a cold surf that just makes my soul happy. I did get to actually see some of the pro's though. I went to some surf party last night and partied a little. I was so tired though from being that active the past few days that I actually ordered a cappuccino in the bar. The bartender laughed at me. I think that was the first one I have ever had. I only got to drink about half of it. The other half got spilled on me while walking through the crazy crowd. That wasn't too enjoyable. Scolding hot drink on my hands and tummy. Usually I just burn my tongue when I try to drink hot things. The drink didn't work though and by 4am I was about to fall asleep standing up. I got some really weird looks for that one too actually. Everyone else had beer and I was drinking a cappuccino in a little white cup with a saucer... People probably thought there was something very wrong with me. Oh well.
I forgot to also mention the highlight of Lisbon in my last blog too! I can't believe I left it out. I went to this amazing aquarium there that was very similar to the one in Japan that I loved. This one didn't have whale sharks or tiger sharks, but it did have barracudas and bull sharks and tons of other cool stuff. It had penguins, and you could get so close to the little guys. That would be the coolest pet. Taking it on walks and stuff. Take it to a pool party and watch the little guy have a blast. I could picture myself watching a movie with it under my arm, feeding it sardines. I should research this. I am not talking like the huge penguins, I mean like the small ones, that are only about 1-2 feet tall. I would be too scared of the big one. Oh well, that aquarium was awesome though. I was very excited when I heard they had one.
Well, I am done. Hope you enjoyed a little bit of story time. Adios.
