Spain and Portugal

September 16 - October 4, 2014

Obidos

In the morning I ventured out in search of a specific bus station to catch the bus to Ericiera. I was pleased with myself for having no difficulty finding both the station and the correct bus. It was about an hour's ride to the end of the line. Doug met me and showed me around Ericiera.  I must admit it's pretty much near perfect as a charming seaside village.

After a brief tour of his home and spending a little time with his dog Whiskers, we drove about an hour north to Obidos (pronounced oh-be-dosh). Doug mentioned that he thinks of me whenever he goes there. It is most definitely "me." This walled village with its cobbled, maze-like streets and its 13th century medieval castle, now a pousada, is picture-postcard perfect. (A pousada is a traditional or historic hotel.) We wandered the village, had lunch and wandered some more. The drive back to Ericiera and the bus ride back to Lisbon seemed long. I had dinner at my hotel and went to bed early.

Home

Things were going so well -- something bad was bound to happen. I had planned to go back to Sintra on my last day in Portugal but I woke up with a miserable sore throat. My visit to a pharmacy and dinner again in the hotel's restaurant were the only times I left my room. The next morning I flew home and it was not a pleasant experience. I felt sorry for the people who had to sit near me. I had developed bronchitis that hung around for four weeks -- I thought I'd never stop coughing. In spite of how it ended, my visit to Spain and Portugal continues to make me smile, even as I write this almost three months later.