The storks! I forgot to mention the storks! As well as the city layout looking much like an old Moroccan medina, they also have these great storks that I saw all over Morocco. These huge things, black and white with vicious-looking beaks. Well, they have them here, too (I guess it makes sense, considering the proximity). In fact, there's a big next of them across the way, on top of an old factory exhaust tower. We were out taking pictures of the tower the other night, trying to get the midnight lighting just right. A guy came over and asked if we spoke English. He was Portuguese, and (sadly, and I do regret this), we at first assumed that he would try to sell us something. So we didn't know quite how to respond, but it turns out he was a waiter at the restaurant across the way and he wanted to give us some photography tips. He also informed us that the factory hadn't worked in years but that they just tore it down 3 years ago. The left the chimney tower (complete with a fireplace at the bottom) standing for the storks, which I thought was very noble of them. But the storks have babies in the nest, and so one is there standing watch all the time while the other goes a finds food. When he/she returns, the greet each other with this wonderful symphony of clicks that can go on for minutes and can be heard everywhere in the vicinity. It's almost a soothing sound, and I often find myself wondering what it is they're saying to each other.

Anyway, we got up early again in an attempt to make an early bus back to Faro to get our plane. We forgot to take into account that June begins a new season and, thus, a new bus schedule, so we rush in and I get the tickets while Jonmikel rushes outside to stop the bus that's pulling out. Yes, we were those people. But we make it to Faro and get information for the airport bus, which apparently only run once an hour. Good news, we're just in time for the next one! So we wait... and wait.... and finally see the bus go by... on the other side of the road. Another strike for the Americans! We manage to navigate the buses in Scotland perfectly fine, but stick us in Portugal and we're total messups, even with signs in English. Not sure what it is about this country take has made us lose our public transportation sense.

We home we must go, as thesis and work await us. Though, vacation has proved to be hard work, so we're ready for some relaxation. :-)