Back to London. Back to the normal life. Starting my new job next week. A bit scary but I feel good. I do need a push now and then and I think I have learned to do it myself.

Anyways, Portimao was great.

My friend and I spent most of the time chilling and eating good food. It was definitely what I needed and I knew that. But it was better than expected.

We spent the majority of the time at the beach chilling. We didn’t swim but I brought my speaker and we drank Pina Coladas. It felt wonderful.

To be honest, we didn’t really do much for the time being there. But that’s the point, isn’t it?

I remember the first day when we got off at Portimao Bus Station. We went to get some coffee and pastry. I didn’t think all my exhaustion and everything would have shown on my face. But somehow, the guy who runs the coffee stall saw it.

He said to me – “Smile”. And he smiled at me.

I didn’t know what he meant.

He then repeated – “Give me a smile”.

Then I understood him and I gave him a smile. I thought I was just doing it so he could just leave me alone.

After making us coffee, he gave it to us. Once more, he said – “Give me a smile”. Bear in mind, his english is not exceptionally good.

And I thought for 1 second. I gave him a bigger smile than the one before.

He then seemed to be satisfied. I guess to make sure that I’m okay.

After this, I went to the toilet for a wee and I looked in the mirror. Oh. My. God.

My face did look like absolute shit. Like, absolute shit. And I thought I was able to hide my tiredness very well. But no. I then told my friend I got why the guy from the coffee stand did that.

Over the next few days, my friend and I did activities together. On the day I went to get some cute tattoos, I went for a stroll for souvenirs. I must have spent about an hour in the shops near my hotel.

Finally, after getting gifts for everyone, I also bought this little ceramic water can with some synthetic sunflowers on the top. I thought it looks quite cute. I also bought a small paper bag. However, I couldn’t find a small card to write on.

The whole idea is to give this ceramic flower can in a bag with a small card to the guy from the coffee stall because I wanted to say thank you.

So, after being unable to find a cute small card to write on, I had to improvise. I had to take some tissue paper from my stuff and thank god I also brought a pen.

I wrote “Dear sir, thank you for making me smile the other day. I wish you all the best and hopefully to see you again soon”. I had to use google translate to translate the message into Portuguese because I didn’t want to be a lazy arse and write english. Once I do something, it has to be all the way. Or at least, I would try to make it go all the way. I think that’s something most people don’t understand about me.

Anyway, on our last day which was today, I gave him the gift before my friend and I headed back to Faro to catch the flight back to London.

He was happy. He was very happy.

He even came out of the stall to give both of us kisses.

That really made my day. And I know that made his day too.

And I do feel like – this is what I do – return the favour to other people, even when they don’t realise the good things they are doing.

It might be just them being themselves, but it means a lot to me to make sure they know what they are doing is right. My brother told me that I have quite good observing skill which I agree. This is why and when I need to up-skill it. Always strive for personal development every single day. Otherwise, you might want to ask yourself – “am I standing still or moving up?”

Not everyone will understand this but I do have respect for the people who do.

I’m very happy with this trip. It gave me exactly what I needed which is peace, time off, and relaxation. Probably the only thing that I didn’t really need for was the tan. Damnnn!