Oh My GAWD!!

Regis' beautiful new look

I went on a mission the other day searching for a salon where Regis and I could get a manicure. Although I found a couple, nobody could speak a word of English. Finally, lost and exhausted, I found a salon called "Afro Algarve". The ladies inside were no better at English than any of the others, but they were VERY enthusiastic about our business, and we finally agreed on 6 Euro and 10:00 the following morning.  Well, at least that's what I thought we agreed upon.

Linda's lovely nails

Promptly at 10:00  we arrived at the salon to find locked and shuttered doors and 5 women waiting outside. Hmmm. At 10:15 and no change in the door situation, we decided that we`d come back after going to the market for our day`s shopping. Art was going to make us a roasted chicken.  On our way back with fresh rolls, pastries, a chicken, some crayfish and shrimp we saw that the doors were now open and one of the women that had been waiting outside earlier was actually our nail tech! It was quickly decided that Regis would pack the groceries home and I`d get started. Regis hurried back, and arrived just as my manicure was finished.
Now you have to understand that the main reason for this manicure was to get the gel polish off Regis` nails. She thought it was starting to get a tad tacky. I tried to warn her that a little roughing up and a dab of Acetone was not going to cut it, but she poo poo`d me. The tech proved that she really did have better English than all the rest. Upon finding that the polish was going to require the power tools, her only comment was ``Oh my GAWD!``  With Portuguese and hand gestures, we determined that her mother lives in Florida (at least that`s what we think we found out)!
We exited in fine style with our nails bright red and fresh. I think I have an appointment next week for a pedicure at 10:00 in the morning. Hmmmm ... I wonder ....

Lost in Portugal

Train Tracks leading off to where???

Our first night in Olhao. We arrive a the train station after a 6-hour train trip, and I dig out our stack of papers to find the one with the address of our apartment on it. What?!?!?! It's not there??? Open suitcases and dig frantically … no go. It's gone. Dang … now what?
Trundling around with suitcases on the cobblestones is not an option, so I left Pete sitting on a park bench with all our worldly goods while I go in search of an Internet Cafe. Little did I know how very lucky I was to find one within 8 blocks!
Hmmm ... the address is not listed on the advert on Holiday Lettings. My email that I ported over to Gmail doesn't include the one that I had printed. This is looking bleak. I troop back to Pete empty handed except for a Google map that shows a dot where the apartment is supposed to be.
We head in that general direction. I mean ... how bad can it be? It's supposed to be 2 blocks from the railway station, right?

The graffiti looks nicer in the daytime

Ok, it's getting dark. Where the hell ARE we? The walls are covered with graffiti, and it seems that we're in some kind of commercial zone ... suddenly a small cars careens to a stop in front of us. A couple hops out and asks if we're lost. The answer is a resounding "yes"! Turns out it's a Russian/Latvian couple who have relocated here to Olhao. They proceed to study the map and argue about where exactly the little dot is indicating. I tell them that it's #24 something, and they order us into the car. They will take us there. They have no idea where "there" is, but they're game!!

#24 from the train station
Art is standing on the balcony

Approximately 20 minutes later, they have given up. I tell them that it's fine, and to just let us out at a hotel, then I mention to Pete that I wish I had Suzanne and Colin's phone number. "Susan y Colin????" (the rest is in Portuguese)???!!!! They're excited! They KNOW these people! Well, they know some fellow named Nick who knows Suzanne and Colin. Close enough! We're saved! Cell phones are whipped out and messages are passed. Mere moments later, Suzanne and Colin arrive in their car to deliver us 'home'.
Get out the wine, Art … we're here!

Ria Formosa Park

Derelict boat with flowers

The park is definitely a tribute to the failing economy of Portugal. Although it was probably once a beautiful spot, it has fallen into serious disrepair.  The amenities are unkempt, and any of the attractions that require any maintenance are not open. The working tidal mill is not working, but was still interesting to see; the villa is not available for viewing; the guest house is closed, shuttered, and falling down; the Portuguese Water Dogs are there, but locked up in a compound behind huge fences; trails are now marked with spray painted arrows on once-beautiful stone posts; washrooms lack toilet seats, toilet paper, running water, soap, and towels. It’s a very sad situation to see.

Roman Aqueduct pump

We saw beautiful wildflowers along the walk, however, and the trees …left to grow wild… are still lovely and different. The Roman ruins remain ruins, and lack of signage just makes it fun to imagine the usages for some! We found a beautiful fresh-water pond with a bird blind where you could sit and watch ducks, turtles, herons and storks bathing and catching a little sun.

Roof of the Tidal Mill

The guest house provided a sunny roof to climb up on and have lunch. Our host, a small gecko, didn’t seem to find our presence too intrusive, even though he declined to share in our repast. The sky was a brilliant blue and the temperature just perfect.