Some great experiences...

Yesterday afternoon I met up with my great friend Luke from Stuttgart and we walked all over Porto which is an amazingly beautiful city that is basically one giant hill with cobblestone streets and cathedrals everywhere. I cannot possibly explain how beautiful that city is...
Anyway, we were walking through this park when we ran into a group of really friendly Portuguese kids whop we wound up just hanging out with and talking to all day long and I will most likely see again when Greg and I go back to Porto on Saturday. It truly was one of the most incredible experiences of my life truly experiencing the culture of another country through interaction with people my age. To hear their thoughts on things and their life stories and hopes for the future was something I will remember the rest of my life. It truly was one of the best days Ive ever had.
Later in the evening we met up with Luke´s friends from the Camino who live in Porto and they brought us to an AMAZING restaurant where Luke and I ate the best roasted chicken Ive ever had in my entire life washing it down with Portuguese beer which is fantastic. After that we took a bus to the beach about 10 minutes away and saw a castle literally on the jagged rocks of the coast which, when translated, is called The Cheese Castle. It was sooo much fin and I didnt want to say goodbye to my great friends who I hope to see again, but I had to get back to my hostel bc my train was at 7:55 am in the morn.
One problem... my ipod which I have been relying on for a watch and an alarm clock ran out of batteries during the night and I wound up sleeping til about 8:30. The train was the only one the entire day so I either had to stay in Porto or find a bus. SInce I already have a room reserved in Santiago for the night I decided to get on a bus and I just now arrived in Santiago.
The bus ride was one of the most incredible expriences of my life (Ive been having alot). I had an inner struggle within myself for the whole 4 hours because I am reading the most incredible, life changing book Ive ever read called On the Road by Jack Kerouac and was so engrossed in it, but the secenery outside was breathtaking. The Portuguese coast is dotted with vineyards and beautiful mountain villages that are absolutely incredible. The sea was in the background as I looked across gren vineyard and red fields of wild flowers with small farmhopuses and their red tile roofs occasionally inteterspersed.
I absolutely loved Portugal, though, and cannot wait to go back, even though I am back in Santiago which Im in love with, as well.
SOme thoughts on Portugal...
Portugese food is amazing! All sorts of great roast meats for no money at all are everywhere and are incredible. They ahve this dish called francheszinnha or something like that, that almost brought me to tears. It is a piece of incredible bread ( a giant piece) with a steak on top of it, followed by a chicken breast, followed by a meat like cappicola, followed by sausage, covered in cheese, with a friend egg on top, and all covered in gravy. If a single dish could be a manifestation of all that I could ever want in life - it would be this.
Also noteworthy, it appeares mandatory that every Portuguese man over 40 have a mustache which I respect wholeheartedly.
Also, it appears mandatory that every Portuguese male under 25-28 have dreadlocks and wear sleeveless t-shirts.
Also, Portuguese people do not sweat. I´m not making this up. They really dont.
Overall, Portugal really agreed with me. I truly enjoyed the beauty of Porto and the Portuguese culture and am looking forward to seeing more of the country in a few days. Tomorrow, Greg finally arrives in Santiago and I will greet him at the cathedral as he finishes the Camino. Cant wait!