Portugal
Why is Everything Breaking??
In London my phone broke - 90 euros to repair. In Budapest my phone broke again - 110 euros to repair. In Lagos my necklace broke - 5 euros to repair. But that list is nothing compared to the newest broken item: My external hard drive. Let's first discuss how this...
When in Doubt, Watch the Sunset
Sometimes I get in these moods. The "I really can't be bothered to put any effort into sightseeing" moods. After having seen so many cities, many things start looking the same. Namely the churches. So when these moods strike, I force myself to open my eyes...
They Have Steak and Shake in Porto
I had big plans for today. I was going to find a great place to eat lunch, and then I was going to explore Porto. I was going to take beautiful pictures that would dazzle you! Except that today was a cold, rainy day. I'm not about that mess. So today became a movie...
A Thrilling Day of SEO
Today consisted of being on my computer for hours working on my website's SEO. Like I literally did nothing but work on my computer all day. I went to a cafe for a change of scenery, and I ordered a large caramel latte. They gave me back this huge monstrosity of a...
Port Wine Tour in Porto
Let me just state: I am not a wine connoisseur. I know there's a red, white, and rose. And I know that when you go on wine tours, you swirl your glass and slosh it around in your mouth. I'm very high-class, I know. But being in Porto, I really wanted to try the...
Taking a Walk Through Porto
Oh hey, look -- another walking tour. Honestly by this point, I feel like a broken record about going on walking tours. I wonder how many I've done so far ... let's count! Ok, there was Galway, London, Edinburgh, Paris, Bruges, Berlin, Budapest, Madrid, Valencia,...
When It All Goes Wrong, Buy Ice Cream
Today was an opportunity for growth and personal development. Don't you just hate days like that? Being an ever-sentimentalist, I have a very special necklace that I wear every day. Back in Lagos, I accidentally broke the chain while changing. Because the chain links...
Becoming Friends With a Portuguese Actress
So, story time with Meagan: Last night, a few of my hostel friends and I headed out to find Fado music in Lisbon. We were recommended a local spot, and we were eager to hear what it offered. Unfortunately, it was super small and super packed. So instead, we went next...
A Day of Plotting and Planning
Today was definitely not a thrilling day, but it was a productive day. I've been procrastinating booking flights and accommodation for my next journey for a while now. So I gave myself a little pep talk, packed up my backpack, and headed to a cafe. And basically spent...
Checking Out the Hip Part of Lisbon
When I first arrived into Lisbon, I immediately wanted to check out their oldest districts - specifically Alfama. I wanted to see the cute little alleyways and cafes. You know, the part of town where you will inevitably get lost in. But I had no idea that Lisbon had a...
Sightseeing (and Stalking) in Sintra
My German friend Karolin and I decided to take a quick day trip to a little town outside of Lisbon on this sunny afternoon. Sintra, not to be confused with Sinatra, is known for their castle on a hill (cue Ed Sheeran) and feels like you're stepping into a fairyland....
Watching the Sunrise Over Lisbon
I woke up at 6am to watch the sunrise over Lisbon. Yep, 6am. Honestly though, I never regret waking up to catch the sunrise. The streets are quiet and free of tourists, and you feel like you have the whole city to yourself. The beauty, the history, the wonder - it's...
Walking Up a Million Hills
Being new to a city, I always do the same thing: sign myself up for a free walking tour. Honestly, I really do love starting a city with a walking tour. I don't know the first thing about navigating this city, nor do I know what's going to interest me. So to have...
I Got in a Stranger’s Van
Did I get into a stranger's white van parked outside of a cafe in Lagos? Yes. But was it intentional? Also yes. I was talking to my roommate Mel about how I still needed to book my bus ticket from Lagos to Lisbon. It would be about a 3-hour bus ride filled with...
English Magazines on Portuguese Beaches
Today's plan was a simple one: get to the beach and lounge on said beach. I stopped off at the grocery store to pick up some necessities. Water, sandwich, and a Glamour magazine. I wasn't actually planning on picking up a magazine, but when I saw the wall of English...
Basically Falling Apart
You know -- considering all of the bug bite mayhem that I've been through, I think it's only fair that I shouldn't have to deal with any more bug bites. Right? Doesn't that seem fair? Welp. That's wishful thinking. Because now the spiders are out to get me. I woke up...
Hiking Cliffs and Watching Sunsets
Staying at Bura Surfhouse has been such a relaxing and wonderful experience. I don't know how to perfectly describe it, but I feel the most like myself when I'm near the water. When windows are open and a fresh breeze pours in. When white window curtains dance. When...
Kayaking Through the Caves in Lagos
I arrived into Lagos with basically zero expectations on the city. When I first decided to travel here, it was simply because I did a Google image search and discovered it was beautiful. So when I asked my hostel reception what they recommended I do during my stay,...
I Love Grocery Shopping
This morning I checked out of my hostel and took a taxi to the bus stop. Which - side note: I think I'm being cheated by taxi drivers. Several will turn on the meter, but then tack on an odd charge at the end of my journey. I don't speak enough Spanish to challenge...