An unexpectedly good day

I started today being pouty and whiny.  (Please remember that I am 4 hours ahead of the U.S., so now is night for me.  A night full of an ocean breeze swaying the hammock that I am sitting in, the sound the ocean as the waves come ashore, and the stars shining bright.) After a 3 hour Portuguese class with William, I decided we needed to go for a drive.  I had heard there was a McDonald's toward the north of the city.  I figured I would see if we could find it. 

We found it. The best part was what we found next door.  The shop next door has a huge sign stating Gourmet Pao and 2 big serious guards a the door.  Inside it was like I had walked into theFrench Pastry shop I found in Orly, France combined with my favorite date shop in Ah Khobar, Saudi Arabia.  The lady at the door handed Gareth a cute wicker basket.  All through the store were tables filled with croissants and cupcakes and cookies and looong loaves of french bread.  In the back they had big white shells filled with all type of olives and dates.  I was in food shopping heaven.  At each table there were women dressed in cute aprons who would put the goodies in containers for you.  Gareth learned that they would give him samples too.  We spent over an hour wandering this store.  Gareth must have tried 20 things.  He loved them all except they gave him a sample of pate.  He thought is was going to be a chocolate spread.  I figured he needed to try it once.  (Mean mom that I am, I thought his reaction was funny.)

We left with 6 cute little boxes filled with chocolate treats and other goodies.  The shopping was fun.  The fulfilling part for me was that I ordered everything in Portuguese and the ladies understood me.  (Por Favor, Quero uma boloito chocolate com un coracao branco.  Obrigada.)

Being able to function with the language gives me self confidence.  It also makes me feel like I am doing something with myself.  (I am taking lessons 3 days a week for 3 hours each day with a tutor). 

Gareth still made me go next door to eat McDonald's, but that was worth finding a new shop and getting to practice the language. (Por favor, Quero duas Combo Big Mac com batatas fritas.  Quero uma com coca cola e uma com fanta de largana.  Obrigada.)  

Boa Noite