Back from Portugal. It was quite an experience.

Two cars, nine Americans, no map. hmmmmm. After driving a quick two and a half hours south we reached the city of Oporto, the second largest metropolitan area in Portugal. We had a set of directions from GoogleMaps and a general idea of where we were going ("Portugal is south, right?"), but, somehow, it all sort of fell apart. Our car missed the first exit, which didn't really matter because the other group followed the directions perfectly and wound up somewhere in the Portuguese ghetto. After stopping at a gas station in the boonies we got more directions and a map, but it still took us a good three hours to figure out the one-ways and get to the hostal.

Anyway, once we were there things got much better for some of us. The guys' room was on the fourth floor and had a balcony; the girls room was on the ground floor and we still aren't sure whether it was a real hotel room or a cellar.

The first day we took a boat tour down the river that runs through the center of the city. The hills on both sides create steep grades of multi-level apartment buildings and shops and restaurants. Many of the buildings have fronts made out intricate tile designs. There are several massive bridges that cross the river, and at one point we could see the sea crashing against the dyke. It was an awesome afternoon. There really is something to be said for sailing in the same waters as sixteenth century explorers.

That night we went out to the discotecs in "la zona industrial" of the city. It was very fun, and very expensive. That is all I will say about it here.

The next day, after much rest, we made our way to the beach. It felt strange to be looking back in the direction of the United States, like someone slapping you in the face and pointing at a map. "You are HERE!" But it was also beautiful and the sunset was one of the best I have ever seen.

Later we went to an exhibition on DaVinci in the Palacio Crystal, and finished the night with a McDonalds dinner. It was the swankiest McDonalds I had ever been in, complete with chandaliers and stained glass and mirrored walls. I ordered a Royal with Cheese and a beer. The beer was great; the Royal was not.

We made it back without any serious problems. And the Jayhawks won. Life is good.