We all got up slowly this morning. I curled up in my cocoon trying to keep the heat in for a few moments longer as I listened to everyone else pack up and leave. Finally when it was quiet, I got up to pack my bag. I went in the living room where I found Habibi, la italiana (whose name stems from laurel, like my friend from Netherlands) & the couple from Germany hanging out. I’d found a brunch place I wanted to check out & Habibi and Laurel decided to join as well.
We entered the brunch place and they were playing a song called “I Want You Around” by Snoh Aalegra which I had told Habibi about in the La Negra cafe we went to in Matasinhos. Interestingly, that day after I mentioned the song, the next song playing was Want U Around by Omar Apollo. So to hear this song now was super exciting. (Now that I’m writing this song, I’m thinking of the song Just Want You Around by Ms. Lauryn Hill). I always think of these songs as love songs with Jesus, sometimes me singing to Him, or Him singing to me (maybe with a little lyric editing).
We enjoyed our meal while amazing R&B jams played the entire time. We’d be in the midst of a conversation and I’d be dancing to the music. When we went to pay, I thanked the waitress for the playlist which she said was put on by her mom. Great taste, mom.
We started our walk, making our way to the coast to walk up the beach. Laurel’s foot was still in pain but she wanted to walk anyway. It didn’t seem to be going too great. We stopped to give her a rest a beachside bar, but even after a break she was struggling.
There was a place not too far ahead that I had scouted out for a short walk option for lodging. Though I felt I could walk longer I suggested maybe she check it out.
We walked with her to the place to see if there were beds available. The owner excitedly showed us around the hostel & showed us two cute casitas with living room, two bedrooms, private bath & kitchen that were available for the night for three people for only €5 more than the dorms. We decided to call it a short day & rest at this beautiful place literally steps from the beach.
Laurel and I took the twin beds in one room, and gave Habibi the queen bed in a room of his own. Laurel and Habibi did their laundry then we went to the beach to put our feet in the water and enjoy the sun. We went back to the casita to nap then Habibi went to the store to grab groceries for dinner. We decided on carne asada and pasta. One of the owners of the hostel kindly helped us get the grill going. I seasoned the meat, laurel made the pasta and Habibi grilled. It was refreshing to have a home cooked meal with such lovely people. After dinner, we went back to the beach to watch the sunset. Back at the casita, we cleaned up from dinner and chatted until late. We tried to see the fireworks from the festival in the previous town but there didn’t seem to be any. Still, we enjoyed listening to the waves in the cool of the night.
Finally, we decided to call it night. I showered and washed my hair before bed, grateful to have a clean and private shower to take my time in. I climbed into bed feeling refreshed and happy to have a quiet room to fall asleep.
Beautiful sunset! It’s my favorite thing. I love that you’re able to enjoy simple things in new places.