Hey, Hey We're the Monkees, and People Say We Monkey Around...

Went to Gibraltar yesterday.  The tip of Europe where Hercules pushed Europe and Africa apart. The city of Gibraltar is actually English territory to it was fun to read signs that said Piccidilly Ave, Bristol Hotel, and unlike in England the paint on each street crossing says "Look Right" for the confused British travellers.  I went with my older clas, the vocational studies in IT.  We split up into groups of five for the cable ride to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.  My group decided we were due for an English breakfast including over easy eggs with toast, beans, sausage, and bacon! We when went to the top of the rock. It was GORGEOUS!  You can see Africa in the distance.

There are also wild monkeys all over the rock. They are klepto's so beware! It was a 500 pound fine for feeding them, BUT we were in a quiet corner with 2 and I brought tangerines!  They first monkey looked like he would fight me for it, but when one of the guys handed it to him he politely accepted it with his own hand! We also watched one sneak up on an old man with a sandwich and go to steal it, then when the man noticed the monkey turned and looked back as well scratching is head as if to be trying to trick the old man by looking for who would do such a thing! Me encanta los monos!

I also made friends.  These were some of the guys in my group that day that took me in so I wasn't a loser.

All in all, it was a wonderful day.  I was practicing spanish, but mainly healping the guys with English.  We ate, took pictures and played with monkeys...SUCCESS!

Lagos, Halloween, and the Purse

Well, Keith, Ashley and I decided to go to Lagos, Portugal on for the weekend.  It was gorgeous just as I remembered it to be.  This time we decided to go on a grotto's tour.  I had never been on one.  It was incredible! The caves and formations were breathtaking. Here's a few pictures! (Finally)

This was our Portugese Tour guide, and Keith.  He would say what the rock formation looked like and if we couldn't figure it out he would immate it i.e. Elephant he did the typical arm trunk.

He said the Policia were after him if we didn't put on life jackets. So we did. A few times he was close to the sharp rocky edge, so I wasn't opposed to any sort of protection.

This is in Cabo San Vincent.  It is in Sagres. The end of the world as they new it. It is the very tip of Portugal.

The first night in Portugal we went out for dinner at about 7:30pm which is already a tad bit early for the Iberian Penninsula, but we went to NahNahBah for great food (hambergers that I had been dreaming about since my last trip to Portugal). It was we went to a bar at about 9 and the only people there were employees; at 11 we were thinking where are all the people!?! Apperently, there is a time difference in Portugal...they are an hour behind! We got date light savings 2 weekends in a row!

Which brings me to Halloween.  Apparently spanish people have only seen halloween in the movies, the really bad halloween movies where everyone dresses up like dracula, devils, mummies, ghosts, corpse brides and the like. Gross. So we went the first night as the Black Eyed Peas. The second night I went as a bum and Ashley went as my cat. The third night (actual halloween on Sunday) I went as a whimsical/mystical/glittery thing and Ashley went as Audrey Hepburn. I am trying to Upload photos but it doesn't seem to want to let me.

The last piece of news is MY PURSE WAS STOLEN!  I was in the Irish pub that Keith is a manager in and was hanging out with him and some of his friends at the bar.  All the sudden a waiter runs inside and asked if anyones purse had been stole.  I looked down at the hook where I had placed it and it was gone. I was freaking out! My iPhone, credit card, ID, spanish phone, sun glasses, and change purse were all in there.  Keith and I went outside and the Taxi driver on the curb said he tried to stop him but he put the purse in his jacket and got on a bike.  He said that the bum across the street says that he knows the guy. So we went and spoke to the bum. He told us he could show us to the place where the robber sleeps.  So we went. I was thinking we were going to show up as someones door, I really had no idea.  We go deep into El Centro following this bum on crutches and arrive at a park.  Apparently he showed Keith who the robber was because before I knew it, he was pushing this guy saying, "Where is the Purse? Give me the purse!" (obviously in spanish) He was caught unaware so he was flustered and denying it until he lost his step and fell and all of his (my) change fell out of his pockets. He said Ok, OK and led keith to a dark corner of the park and pulled out first my change purse, I said THATS MINE! then my iPhone (hallalujah!), my sunglasses and my spanish phone. I look in the change purse and of course all the money is gone (about 20 euro) and we start to walk away I remember all my cards. Keith turns around and yells at him to get those to.  In the end I only lost about 20 euro and a purse that probably should have already been retired.  You know me and purses! I was very thankful to the bum expecially since he put his neck on the line with the stealer bums. I gave him all the money I had in my pocket, ten euro.  He promptly followed us back to the pub and ordered a beer. Keith told all of his employees that if they ever see him to give him a coffee. Keith was the hero of the night and a great friend to Ashley and I. We may all go to Cadiz this weekend for one last beach trip.  Who knows!  I promise it wont be 20 days again. Until next time...