Computerless Days

I have been away from a computer since Monday and it has been absolutely wonderful! But of course, my mother called, I was caught, and once again told the blog is getting stale. And here I am, back and blogging.

Portugal was absolutely incredible. By the time I left on Monday I was already planning a way to go back. There was something magical about the city that left me amazed.

I took an overnight train to Madrid to meet up with Jen again. After spending time away, it was comforting to go back to a city I already knew. When I arrived at the apartment there was no answer. Luckily, someone was leaving soon after I arrived, and I snuck into the building. As I climbed the stairs I had a bad feeling that I would be stuck outside the apartment for a while. I was correct. After about 10 minutes of waiting, and buzzing several times, the door was opened. The only problem was that it was the roommate of the girl I was visiting, and she had a slight problem with the number of visitors that had been frequenting the apartment. Surprisingly, she was in a very good mood! She was joking with me in Spanish that the girls were still asleep and she hadn't even seen them since their trip to Ibiza! I made myself comfortable and read my book. It wasn't long before all three girls were awake and Jen was packing for our trip.

By 4 pm that afternoon we were on a train headed to Hendaye, France. We had planned to take a night train to Paris, but was luck would have it, the trains were booked. We spent the night at a small inn in Hendaye and decided to wait to for the night train the following evening. We had a wonderful day. Hendaye is a beautiful beach town on the border of France and Spain. When we first began to explore we stumbled across a market that had some of the most delicious produce, cheese, meat and pastries, and plenty of free samples. We continued to walk around, watched the surfers, sunbathers and sand castle builders and climbed to the castle nearby. The town reminded me of most coastal towns, and the people were very kind and friendly. (And the surfers were pretty cute!) Jen and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch along the beach before meandering back in the direction of the train station. The one thing Jen requested was that we stop for ice cream along the way. I was ecstatic! I had finally found someone that loves ice cream as much as I do! Traveling with Garvey, he could never understand why I loved ice cream so much, and how I could eat it every day. He even dared me to go a week without it. With Jen I was psyched to eat ice cream, and even happier I wouldn't have to prove her wrong by going a week without it.

That evening we were on a train to Paris, and by the next morning on another train to Heidelberg. We were greeted in Heidelberg by Natalie, a contact that Aunt Patty had made for us. It was fabulous. Even though I had never met her, Natalie gave me a huge hug the second she jumped out of her car. She drove us home immediately so we could put our luggage down and she could make us sandwiches as only a mother can. Let me tell you, that was one of the best turkey sandwiches I have had in a very long time!

The past few days have been wonderful. We have spent hours chatting over coffee and pancakes. We then spend the day with tour guide Natalie visiting Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Germany, or even Ramstein, the military base. After our adventures we come home to spend hours more conversing over dinner and wine.

Natalie has been a better host than we could have ever asked for. Not only is she showing us the area, but she is letting us use her house as our own. We have been able to have our own room! We have done laundry and used a dryer! We have a pantry filled with snacks! We have a television with American shows! We can put our feet on the couch! We can sleep in! We can call home! Gosh, it's good to have a mom to take care of us.

With 9 days left, our trip to Heidelberg was perfect. We were able to relax and still see the world. Tomorrow morning Jen and I head to Rotterdam. We will be staying with a couple I met on the Inca trail. Garvey is headed to Switzerland... I think. I never know what his plans are! On Thursday Jen and I will be in Paris, followed by a brief stop in London, and a flight to NYC on Tuesday. It's amazing how quickly the time goes by.

See you all very soon!