no entry

this year i finally got to go on a lazy vacation; something, i admit, is kind of foreign to me. usually when i travel it's do this, do that, see this, oh can't forget this. don't get me wrong, i love that - always being on the go and experiencing something new. if i'm on my own, i'll walk for hours on end, wandering with a map in hand, or take public transportation if necessary - i really enjoy experiencing a city like that.

anyway, after the wedding in england, five of us went to portugal to be beach bums for five days. i was travelling with four brits, so on entering portugal i obviously get put in the foreigners line for customs.

customs officer: so you live in canada?
me: yes sir.
customs officer: where are you going?
me: uh..
oh dear. i couldn't remember! i couldn't say the algarve because we landed in faro which is part of the algarve.. i looked to my right and the other girls were already past customs and waiting for our luggage. crap. i might be denied entry and be sent back to england for a week of family visits and indian food.
me: i .. don't .. remember. umm. it's a place forty minutes away.
customs officer: four minutes away?!
me: no forty, four zero. the place starts with an alb..
customs officer: aljezur?
me: no..
customs officer: alvor?
me: no..
customs officer: alcoutim?
me: no..
customs officer:albufeira?
me: YES! that's it. that's where we're going.
at this point i'm using my typical big hand jestures like people use while playing charades. you know.. arms waving everywhere, spirit fingers.
customs officer: *type* *type* *type* *stamp* here you go. *hands back passport* have a good trip.
me: thank you! i will! have a great night sir!

the customs officer seemed unphased by the whole episode. i guess that happens often. i wonder what he typed in the computer though..