The flight from JFK to Lisbon set the tone for my trip. I sat next to a young journalist who was on her way to Moscow. Very liberal, alternative, opinionated woman - her words were inspiring. After Moscow she´s going to Bali to write about how the terrorist bombing affected the economy and the native Balinese. She said that she loves writing about people and places that often go unnoticed. Her motto was "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." She wants to make people THINK, and I admire that.

Met Sherry in the Lisbon airport, thankfully. Lisbon was swelteringly hot the day we arrived and I sweated all the way to the hotel. Being unknowing girls, we dressed in little skirts and tank tops, ready for a night of dinner, drinks and a bit of partying. Yes well, apparently YOU DON´T WEAR SHORT SKIRTS IN LISBON. Felt like a prostitute, stumbling around the city (didn´t realize that most of the city is vertical, meaning that every step uphill sent my heart racing because I thought I was going to fall and die in my little strappy shoes). Caused a scene wherever we went, just wanted to hide. Thursday night, the 12th of June, was a huge holiday in Lisbon, and the WHOLE CITY was out on the streets for the party!

Men were grilling sardines, selling beers, people were singing. Everything took place in the Alfama (Moorish) quarter, where lively chatter echoed in labyrinthine passageways and racous celebrators spilt into the streets, alive with joy and spurting giddy laughs. What an electric experience! It lasted until 6am!

Next day we missed two trains to Lagos, but finally got here safely. We have the most beautiful room on the fourth floor of a pensione, overlooking the gorgeous sea. It´s amazing. We´ve met these two Canadians, Shad and Julien, as well as an American named Peter and a Scots girl named Lois. Two Italian men and two guys from Wash DC also joined us for some fun the past two nights.

The first night in Lagos, we all stripped down and went swimming in the sea at 2am under a full moon. Freezing but breathtaking. Yesterday we slept on the beach all day and then laughed ourselves silly on our balcony, drinking beers and being entertained by the DC guys. Went to a bar named Whyte´s where the DC guys committed the 9 deadly sins and drank 9 shots in a row each. I now understand why Americans are seen as idiots in Europe. What fun, though! Danced at Calypso, then back to the balcony to watch the sun rise at 6am. I never want to leave.

~Hope