Day 46-Portugal

To start things off today, we got to enjoy a lovely breakfast on the roof of our hotel around 9:15!  We stocked up again so we wouldn't have to buy lunch, and it was quite good!  Then we headed out for a sangria cruise!  I just thought it was cool because they took us out into the ocean, let us jump off and swim around.  The water was so cold, and it was just a cold day in general.  I think because it was so windy and everything, we had to

sit on the boat with towels wrapped around us!  But I was not going to miss a chance to jump and dive into the water.  Toba had quite a fun time trying to throw fruit into our mouths too as we treaded around.  CHECK!  Then we took smaller boats to go around and look at the caves.  They were really cool to see, and it was just crazy to see how the light was reflected in certain parts of the water and literally looked like there was a light shining on it.  Our driver was really funny too because he kept trying to talk to us in English, but we had no idea what he was saying, except for, "LOOK!!!!!"  Sometimes we'd catch bits and pieces too, like there was a chinese face, Michael Jackson's face, a camel, King Kong, and an elephant all shaped in the caves.  Then we just spent some more time enjoying the sailboat, talking with the Andrews, an older guy I met named Ryan, and one of the guides, Manu.  I did not know him too well before coming, but I just love him!  He is SO funny and just easy to talk to!  Then we headed to the beach for the day!!  We of

course took some pictures, juggled the soccer ball around again, and then actually got to play a game with little nets.  It was so much fun!  Of course it was a little difficult with the sand, but we were all just laughing and having a good time, especially because they kept making a big deal about this kid, George, and how he was their MVP and doing everything.  I then spent a while talking with him which was sweet because after hearing he was a counselor, our conversation segwayed to  being Christians, how that plays out at Texas A & M, the Christian bubble, being a leader in his Christian frat and our struggles being here.  It was totally unexpected, yet great to be able to have that type of conversation with another believer.  Then I just got to enjoy laying out for a while and then finally decided to get in.  As I headed to the water, Manu made me try skim boarding (which I am SO afraid of after spraining my ankle).  I tried to tell him I was afraid, but he would not let off, so I finally gave in and just jumped off after like 2 seconds, but hey, I did it!  Then I SLOWLY waded in, and as cold as it was--I mean it kind of took my breath away--it felt good and was beautiful!  I could see the whole way down to my feet: that's my kind of water!  Manu joined me a few minutes later, and we got to talk about how he got involved in DiscoverSevilla and what he used to do and may do in the future.  It's just cool to get to know new people, and I can just tell he's got an interesting story.  Unfortunately, it was then about time to go, so we packed up, he let me try this delicious ice cream treat, and then we packed onto the buses.  We got back to the hotel with plenty of time, so I showered and then headed up to the pool, which was on the terrace because I wanted to read.  I started to pray and for some reason Manu was on my heart, and I kept thinking about what he would think if he knew I was a believer.  A big part of all of their jobs is basically to party with study abroad students, so it is VERY weird when there is someone who does not party like them.  Well of course who do I look over and see walking right in my direction on the roof: Manu!  He came over and asked what I was reading, and I said, "The Bible."  And he just looked and kind of laughed and was like, "Are you serious?"  I said yes and he asked to see it, then asked why I read it.  I tried to tell him that I like it and he asked what I believe.  I told him that God created the world, and Jesus came and died to forgive us of our sins.  He told me then that he thinks you just need to be a good person to everyone and that's good enough.  It stinks because he is a great person!!  He is SO kind and generous.  (A couple minutes later he asked me to go down to the pool stand and he kept trying to feed me).  He can also see a lot of the flaws in the church and religion, and I think that is a bit of a problem for him.  Afterwards I kept feeling like I had not done/said enough but then had to remember once again that it is not about me!!!  I need to do the planting but God will do the cultivating!  So we sat and he ate and told me some more about his past jobs and himself.
Then we headed out to what they used to think was "the end of the world."  We got to watch the sunset here, and it was so beautiful, but SOOO windy.  It's crazy that we left Sevilla, disgustingly hot, and now we're in Portugal in jeans and a fleece and could definitely use a blanket!  So we huddled and watch the sunset then headed into the city center for dinner.  Tonight we got to go to a more authentic Portuguese restaurant.  I got swordfish and potatoes and it was delicious!  The fish kind of reminded me of salmon, but nothing I have ever had!  We enjoyed that for a while and then headed to the bar to just talk and dance for a little while.  We were all kind of exhausted though, so we headed back around 1:30.  Ah I love it here! :)