Trip to Lagos, Farewells, Beja (Castle), Christmas Lights

Monday, December 3

Today was the last chance to head west to Ponte de Piedade and a beach in Lagos. We were out of the apartment mid-morning and arrived at the attraction about 45 minutes later. We have taken several missionaries to this site – and it never disappoints. 

Today, the tide was even higher – some of the kids actually got splashed on. I even walked down the stairs for the first time – that’s where the waves were crashing in the area the tour boats usually dock. What fun!

But, the kids were anxious for a beach where they could actually get in the water. The missionaries recommended Praia de Mao, so that was where we went. Again the water was high (and cold), and the waves bigger and stronger than we had experienced before. 

Everyone was in the water having a good time until Courtney got side swiped by a big wave that popped her knee. It was a little bit of a panic getting her out of the water before she was pulled out further onto the shore.

We let the kids play in the water and in the sand for an hour more; and we watched several surfers try to catch the big waves. They were fascinating to watch. We were able to eventually move Courtney across the beach and up a flight of stairs and to the car. Her knee was hurting badly.

We had planned a visit to Choco e Nut – an ice cream specialty shop in Portimao; but Brian decided it would be best to get Courtney back to the apartment and laying down. Hailey and Nathan stayed with us as we did an inspection of the Elders’ apartment in Lagos. Their bathroom mirror had fallen off the wall, and there was something strange with the kitchen faucet. We took pictures and reported the info back to the Mission office. They have the most interesting apartment that we have encountered so far – it has been dubbed “the doll house.”

After arriving home, Brian and Rachel went to the pharmacy across the street and purchased a knee brace which helped stabilize Courtney’s knee. It still hurt, but with crutches (as part of the Senior Couple’s first aid supplies) Courtney was able to join all of us at our “farewell” dinner at the Loule Wok. We think it is probably the nicest restaurant in Loule – and it caters to everyone with all kinds of sushi and traditional Portuguese and American food items on the buffet. The desserts left a bit to be desired, but we all had a good meal.

Later, Brian gave Courtney a blessing that promised she would recover completely from her injury which was encouraging. She still had an emotional time settling in for the night, and we all prayed that tomorrow would be better. The last of the puzzles were finished tonight.

* * * * * * * *

Tuesday, December 4

After a wonderful week with our family, it was time to pack everything back into a few bags and suitcases, load the cars, and drive to the airport in Faro. 

Everyone was dropped off at the terminal, and then Rachel and Merl departed to return the rental car. Brian was able to procure a wheelchair for Courtney. . . and then they were off. We prayed for a safe trip and success for this family as their adventure now takes them back to Ohio.

 

We made a return trip to Faro to attend the District Missionary Counsel meeting. It felt good to be back into a normal routine – although there really isn’t anything normal about it.

After returning home, I started sweeping and mopping the entire apartment. I think we had enough sand to fill a small sandbox. We cleaned the house and only discovered a couple of small items left behind. We don’t have a clothes dryer, so we started the long process of washing all the towels and sheets – wash a small batch, let them air dry – and then start over.

For a break, we took a find a postcard for a project for Cooper’s school class. We need to report that was saw a gingerbread man here in Portugal that had disappeared from the school kitchen. We were also in search of something similar to Hawaiian leis for Sister Ngalu and Sister Prado to use for the talent show at the Christmas Missionary Conference. They are planning to do a hula dance. We actually found some Christmas tinsel we thought would be perfect. I sent messages out to all the missionaries to encourage participation in the talent show – with pretty good success. These young missionaries are amazing!

* *** * * * * *

Disclaimer: I have fallen far behind on posting to our blog. Due to lack of memory and in order to catch up, I will do my best to put together highlights of the rest of the month of December.

* * * * * * * *

Wednesday, December 5

We received a phone call from the Mission office requesting we go to Portimao to assess a problem with the tiled kitchen floor in the Sisters’ apartment. With a little difficulty, we finally found their apartment building. 

 It appears that the tile was set too tight, and with the expanding and shrinking with temperature changes, the tile was under pressure and cracked and lifted. That’s a landlord problem was our report. There are some cabinet issues we will work on.  The view from the top floor of the high-rise apartment was amazing.  I was almost dizzy stepping out onto their balcony.
 


We are learning that, at every possible opportunity, the missionaries like a treat at the local Choco Nut.  (Sisters Cavalcante and Wilson)

Later, the Sisters in Loule needed a ride to Albufeira for an appointment with an Ecuadorian family. We dropped them off and then went grocery shopping at a big supermarket and then waited for them while reading “Saints.”

When we arrived home we received a phone call requesting us to take care of an emergency first thing in the morning. We will be driving to Beja with our scanner/printer and mobile wifi to retrieve and send a document to the Mission office for Elder Thomas who is trying to get his Portugal driver’s license and forgot his paperwork.

* * * * * * * *

Thursday, December 6

We were on the road by 6:30 a.m. this morning for our first trip to the Beja apartment. We drove through fog most of the way, arriving at 8:00.  It was VERY difficult to actually locate the building; and then when inside, there was a maze of stairways coming from different doors and going to different floors. We had no clue where the apartment was, and nothing was labeled. We finally called the Mission office and spoke with Elder Thomas who instructed us where to go. CRAZY!

We found the document and took care of business; then we did the 6-week inspection. The apartment was basically in good condition. We did some heavy degreasing in the kitchen and removed a cupboard door to take home and glue back together. We took an inventory and made a list of items we needed to purchase.

 Since we drove so far, we decided to take some time to find our church building and the castle in the city. We were very surprised to find both within a short distance of each other. In fact, the church is within the historical center of town next to the castle wall.

 We were looking at a nativity scene in front of a Catholic church when we were approached by a boy (Frederico, 12 years old) asking if we needed some help.

 He recognized our name tags and said that he knew where our church was – very close - by his house. He spoke English very well and was a great help. . . we hope the missionaries will be able to find him again.

The church was locked, but it looks like a very nice facility. In the back, there is a small parking lot and a park with citrus fruit trees on the property. A beautiful setting. The branch in Beja is very small, mostly elderly members. Most of the younger members and families have moved away in search of work; and the culture here is very difficult to . . . .

The grounds around the castle were beautiful.  Merl continues to be fascinated by the cork tree.  This one can be skinned again 2027 - 9 years from now.  

The castle has been very well preserved, and we had a fun time climbing the narrow, steep stairs to the very top turret and looking over the entire countryside. We walked the entire perimeter on top. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Beja

As we were returning back to our car, we passed the nativity set again and went inside the church. All types of local crafts were on display and for sale. I finally picked a small nativity scene for my Nativity Tree at home. It is made from cork bark and hand-carved. I really like it even though it  is rustic.  

When we arrived home, the Sisters came over to use the oven to bake brownies. They still haven’t figured out how to work theirs.

* * * * * * *

Friday, December 7

Merl called this his business day. He spent most of the day sending emails with pictures of apartment issues to the Mission office, along with his suggestions of how to take care of them. All our gas receipts and mileage reports were also scanned and sent in. He made a call to Curtis to take care of the duplex property taxes and other issues. We appreciate his help in taking care of things on the home front.

We learned that President and Sister Fillmore will be coming to Loule this weekend to do temple interviews in the Branch for those wanting to attend the temple in Madrid on the 17^th. We have been requested to pick them up at the train station and be their transportation for the weekend.


  

We took an afternoon walk to see the “Santa Land” displays and other new decorations popping up all over the city. As we were returning on one of the back streets, we came across the palm weaving shop again. I wanted to get a couple more stars for our little tree and left with a beautiful, hand-woven nativity set. I certainly hope one or more of our kids come to see us (with an empty suitcase) to help us transport a few of our special items.

* * * * * * * * * *

Saturday, December 8 Happy Birthday to Colin today!

We have invited President and Sister Fillmore to have lunch with us and the missionaries on Sunday after church. I spent time cleaning and cooking as there is not much time after church to prepare things. They will need to be back to the train station before 4:00. Merl washed and vacuumed the car until it shined.

We drove to the train station around 8:00 p.m. and waiting for the train from Lisbon to arrive. Sister Fillmore has motion sickness when traveling and didn’t have a good experience on the train. 


We drove them around the city a little to see all the beautiful lights and then found their hotel – Loule Jardim. We didn’t know that Loule actually had a hotel. It is in a area of town we didn’t know. We suggested President Fillmore check it out before we left them. . . things checked out okay, and we said good-night. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day for everyone.

* * * * * * * *

Market Day and Santa; Sunday Activities and Lights

Saturday, December 1

This is the day I was waiting to share with the family – every Saturday is the famous Loule Market Day. As usual, the streets were full of tourists and locals coming to purchase fresh produce, meats, cheese, honey – anything that can be grown or produced on a farm. I love the market! Then we went inside the building. . . One sniff, and Rachel and Hailey were out of there. Everyone else was either curious enough or adjusted to the smell of raw fish enough to survey the “fruit of the sea.” Nathan has been taking some videos for his European Vlog, so you need to check this day out on Facebook. I purchased a scone to share with the kids.

  



We joined the crowd and walked around the city checking out shops and Christmas displays.  There are many real estate businesses in town with flyers posted on their windows.  Brian couldn't understand how the main selling point for a piece of property in the area was the fact that there was a ruin on it.  

  


mmeI recommended a place for lunch (one I had been wanting to try) – but for some, it ended up being a mistake. There were few menu items that were actually available, and those that were came out one at a time so that only one person was eating at a time. We wanted to go to a rugby game at 1:30, but it was 2:30 when we finally left – and I canceled my salad which was the last to “not” arrive.






Santa was scheduled to arrive at 3:00, so we decided to stay on the town square for his arrival and then go to the 3:00 rugby game (a little late). The street was packed with people, but somehow room was made for the sleigh with Santa to arrive with his entourage.



Preston was really excited about the whole thing. Every child that waits in line to see Santa receives a gift – this year a DVD with the Loule Children’s Christmas Choir. 

We didn’t wait in line, but escaped the scene to watch a rugby game.  It was fun to find that Leandro (from our branch)was playing on the Loule team against a much larger team from Setubal.

Courtney loves hthe fountain and has trouble staying away from it.  She found bubbles in it today - probably meant to look like snow for santa.

The city Christmas lights were all turned on tonight, and they are beautiful. We actually like the ones hanging over the street in front of our building the best. We love being located right in the middle of all the main attractions and historical settings. Something is happening all the time. I spent much of the afternoon preparing lunch for the family and missionaries after church tomorrow.

* * * * * * * * *

Sunday, December 2

Morning seemed to come early, but everyone was ready and on the way to church in time for me to play prelude. Sister Ana Paula Neves translated most of the Sacrament meeting for Rachel, and Brian can hold his pretty well. Rachel went with the kids to Primary and Sunday School – then Young Women’s. We have enough people that speak English in the Branch, so the meetings were done in both English and Portuguese.

After Sacrament meeting, a special meeting was held to help members search and print names for the upcoming District temple trip. It has been promoted as giving the gift of white – a white paper with a name on it to have temple work done. . . the best Christmas present ever.

I hurried home to finish preparing lunch – baked beans, potato salad, green salad, funeral sandwiches (ham/turkey and cheese sandwiches marinated and baked in a special sauce). Our table was extended out all the way for Brian’s family, the missionaries, and us – 13 in all. 









It was a a great afternoon that carried over into the evening as the missionaries invited the kids to walk around the city to take pictures and see all the lights. They had an amazing time!