Oh no! I don't have time to write a full update! I did too many things this week, and I'm shortly heading into a weekend of no internet. My roommates and I are going north for a few days with no internet access and no pressing responsibilities. We're all looking forward to the relaxation. When I get back I'll try to post some witty highlights from my mini-vacation last week. For now though, I'll at least sum up a little.

Marilyn's sister, brother-in-law, and niece came to visit so they invited me to spend the week with them. It was a LOT of fun! But not relaxing in the least, like most mini-vacations. Their plane arrived on Saturday morning and they wanted to hit the ground running. So after a very, very short nap we headed into Belem to see the Monument to the Discoveries and to eat dinner at Portvgalia (this makes my third visit to both of these places and I'm still not tired of them!). On Sunday we had church in Samora, lunch, shopping, church in Miratejo, dinner, shopping! lol. When you're only here for a week you have to squeeze in as much activity as you can!

Monday morning we drove down to the Algarve, which is the southwestern tip of the European continent. The Algarve is to Europe what Florida is to America. So much of our time was spent in the sun and the sand, and yes I did get a slight sunburn of course. Fair skin can be a curse! We stopped at a castle or two on the way down and took lots and lots of pictures which I will post a link to later. Then on Tuesday we drove the hour or so into Spain for more pictures and more shopping! I guess Monday through Wednesday can be summed up in castles, beaches, shopping, traditional dinners, and pictures galore!

Thursday was more shopping at the market at Boca do Inferno. Small market, all of the traditionally Portugese souvenirs, and great prices; set up next to one of the wildest and prettiest ocean locations I've ever seen. And since we were so close to Sintra we drove up to Palacio de Pena (another castle) for more touristy sightseeing and pictures.

Wow, for a "sum-up" that's a lot of information...and it barely scratches the surface! Just wait till you see how many pictures we took! :-)