Being out of the country for the Fourth of
July is such an odd feeling. Normally, there are people everywhere celebrating,
barbecuing, hanging by the pool, beaching it up, etc.. There are American flags
everywhere and there is so much spirit in the air. It was pretty sad to not see
any of that this year.
This year back home, my family went to
my grant aunt's house on Lake Ontario to celebrate. I have been there twice
before on the Fourth of July, and each time was such a blast. I have a huge
family and since there are so many of us, we all set up tents on her property
and sleep there. It is so much fun. Lake Ontario is beautiful with the stars
and the moon over the lake... Breathtaking really. Then when the fourth comes
around, there is a spectacular display of fireworks accompanied by a toasty
bonfire and some delicious s'mores. Of my family, I am probably the one who is
most in love with the place. Every summer, I practically beg my mom to visit!
To my dismay, this was the year my family decided to go and I am out of the
country. But hey- though I'm sad, I can't complain because I'm in the freaking
Azores islands (which coincidentally enough my great aunt has also travelled too!
I found this out via email yesterday.)
Also to all my family reading this, I hope you
had an amazing time! Miss ya!
We Americans couldn't let the holiday pass
without celebrating of course. We had a huge plan! We went to a restaurant by
the marina that had a deal running for the Americans in town. For 10 euros, we
got unlimited food, sangria, wine, beer, dessert, and coffee (warning: I
probably indulged a little too much. But I always feel I need to get my money's
worth!) We also planned to set off fireworks at the beach and have a bonfire
with s'mores. But sadly, bonfires are illegal on the beach and we couldn't find
the fireworks. The dinner was a lot of fun. In this day and age with so much
technology, inevitably we all ended up sending each other weird snapchats while
sitting at the same table. Eventually during the night, Erica and I went
exploring. Because I'm always up for an adventure, I may or may not have
shimmied and climbed across a gated area to get to this really pretty dock. The
dock was completely gated in and the area I shimmied across was this platform
over the water. Eventually more people came out and joined us. We had a mini
photoshoot and were having a grand old time when two cops on segways showed up.
They may or may not have threatened to arrest us if we ever did that again.
(Though the segways were mess than intimidating.) I'll have to save my
adventuring for areas that are not gated in, I suppose.
After the dinner, some people wanted to go out
to a bar and some wanted to go back home. I was part of the latter group,
knowing I had hospital the next day, but all the kids in homestay were going to
the bar so I had to come along unless I wanted to walk back home by myself in
the wee hours of the morning (not the best idea.)
On the way to the bar, we sported our American
flag and sang the Star spangled banner and god bless America. We were those
Americans. But hey, it was the Fourth of July so how couldn't we? At the bar,
manny whipped out some serious dance moves I didn't know he had in them. Hahaha
it was so great. He's got no reservations when it comes to dancing. A true life
of the party. He especially likes the berney.Eventually the night came to a
close, and Erica and I walked back home.
Overall, a great Fourth of July!
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