Helllooooo Porto!

       
           So after finals were over, I headed off on my last 'real' trip of the year to some new and exciting places! Chloe & I were flying to Porto, Portugal where we would meet Maeda, who would be coming from Madrid, Spain. Porto is a really wonderful place, it was my first time in Portugal so I was very excited to see a new country!

There were so many amazing buildings with colorful tiles!
I didn't hate it!

Maeda & I at the beach in Porto!

Hard to believe next time I am on a beach
I will be on the OTHER side of the Atlantic!

     


      Over the course of the year I have been to MANY places, but since we only usually had a day or two to see all of the sights, I was often quite exhausted after each trip (not complaining...just stating the facts, we were happy, just exhausted...). We decided this would be a real 'vacation,' and we would be hitting up as many beaches as we can, as well as just enjoy some relaxing time in some beautiful places!
     It worked out that there were 3 of us because we ended up getting a private room at a local hotel. It is really nice when you have one less thing to worry about when leaving our things in the room when you are in a new and unfamiliar place. Anyway, so we walked all over Porto,

obviously sampled some delicios Port Wine, hit up a local beach, and really just tried to soak up every second.

Myself, Maeda, & Chloe overlooking Porto!
(struggle city with the wind!)

This is a famous Portuguese sandwich, the Francesinha, which means 'little french girl,' in Portuguese. It apparently is a sandwich for meat lovers...so even though I don't fit the bill, I figured 'When in Porto...' It has ham, sausage, and beef, and it is loaded up with cheese and gravy. I didn't hate it, and I was very happy to have had the opportunity to try it.
Apparently it was ranked among the top 10 best sandwiches in the world!

I found a Downing Street in Porto! I love when I see familiar names throughout my travels.
 Even on my running route in Leuven I always run past an apartment complex named 'Woodside.' Its the little things that remind me of home that really put a smile on my face!


Our last night we went to the top of one of the largest bridges to watch the sun set and just soak up the beautiful place we were in!

This was one of those moments when I was pinching myself and saying "Is this REALLY my life?!"

Next Chloe and I were heading to Barcelona, Spain, and Maeda was making her way back to Brussels. I was very excited to see Barcelona, because I had heard very good things, and since I had been to Madrid in the fall, I was ready to see a different side of the country!