We planned to drive around Portugal with Ania's family, so we rented a station wagon and headed to Aveiro to meet up with Emilia.  We saw even more cool modern architecture as we passed through the outskirts of Aveiro:

Cafe in the park

Our first stop in Aveiro was a pleasant little neighborhood park.  We had our first Portugese "cafe", admired the scenery & architecture, then walked around a bit to explore the neighborhood and stretch our legs while we waited to hear from Emilia.

Ania and I both like ironwork, doors, gates, and churches.  We didn't have to look far; these surrounded the park.

Reunion

Emilia sent us a text message to get back on the road we'd been on and head a few block further down town.  "Text Mom when you get there," she wrote.

Huh?

Just after getting there, we caught a glimpse of Mom's blonde hair zooming toward us as she ran to embrace her daughter.

Lucia, one of Fernando and Emilia's close friends here, had brought Mom & Dad to meet us -- they were dying to see Ania after more than two years apart, and Emilia was still busy with last-minute wedding preparations.  

New friends

We followed Lucia to the house where she, her husband Juan Carlos "Carlitos" (pronounced "Carlitosh"), and their two kids, Erica and Luis live in Oliveirinha, a small suburb of Aveiro.  Our host family, long-time friends of Fernando,  welcomed us with a memorable warmth and friendliness -- we knew this was going to be a pleasant stay.


In true Portugese tradition, dinner was served sometime around 10PM, and it was delicious!

Clock-wise from the left: Ania, Emilia, Carlitos & Lucia, Roman & Wanda (Ania's parents), Luis, Erica, Marta