Most of our exploring that afternoon was us walking in the area near our hotel just looking at the gothic architecture and window shopping. Ponta Delgada truly us one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
"I really want to get a taxi to the Mercado da Graça..." my mom said looking at a travel guide.
"Its a covered market with a wide variety of fresh fruits! Doesn't a picnic at the Harbor for dinner sound lovely?" she asked.
"It does. I heard there are hot springs here from the locals. I would really love to go to them on one of the days." said Lee.
"I could use a good soak. Nothing helps out the knee more than hot water. That is one thing I miss about my time in Japan. I know I was supposed to be fighting them but I just wanted to walk around in that fancy robe drinking sake while in a hot spring all day." said my dad while rubbing his knee.
"They are called Kimonos or Yukatas dad." I said rolling my eyes.
"But that does sound really nice....I like sushi too." I responded trailing off.
"Oooo Stacie! They have a pineapple plantation!" said my mom with sparkling eyes.
My mouth instantly started watering.
My father grabbed the travel guide from her and started flipping through the pages.
"Don't just yank from my hands!" said my mom taking back the travel guide and giving him a playful wack.
"Watch it there tiger. I bite." said my father winking.
"Um. Right here. Ew." I said thoroughly grossed out.
My mom blushed and covered her face with the book.
"Let's just get a taxi and head to the market before it closes." said my mom stuttering and walking away.
My dad grabbed Lee by the shoulder "I need to speak with you in private for a bit boy." said my dad stepping away. Lee was listening intently and nodding. Then he fished out some money and pat him on the back. Lee walked up to me smirking.
"What was that about?" I asked.
Lee bent over to whisper in my ear "He told me that the reason he brought me was to give you someone to explore with so he can have alone time tonight with your mom at the hotel."
I scrunched up my face "you could have made up a lie."
Lee laughed "why do that when I can see you make that face instead?"
I shoved him and my mom ran out from a cafe.
"I just bought a chai tea for you in exchange for a phone. The taxi is on the way." said my mom while handing my father a cup of chai.
My father took a sip from the cup and sighed. "I have the best wife in the world." Then my father grabbed my mom by the waist and kissed her on the cheek. My mom smiled.
"I think I'm going to want to go exploring with Lee tonight if this is how you guys are gonna be all night."
Everyone chuckled a bit at that.
"Ill try to figure out some age appropriate stuff to do of course sir." said Lee holding up both hands.
"As long as you are both safe, I don't care what you do." said my dad.
When the taxi arrived, my mom asked the driver if he spoke english and he shook his head. My mom then opened the travel guide and showed him the picture of the market. He gave a thumbs up and gestured for us to get in.
He drove us there in silence and when he arrived we paid him our faire and got out. The market really did have a great variety. Fresh fruit, local cheeses, and wines were in abundance.
"We really should try a wine. Portugese wine is famous." said my mom.
My father and mom were chatting about what to get and simply asking the market workers for recommendations and rolling with that.
They eventually packed a nice basket of goodies. I wandered the market without them taking in sounds and smells. I walked up to a booth of a fruit I wasn't familiar with. I picked it up and smelled it. The worker started speaking to me in portuguese.
"I'm so sorry, I don't speak Portuguese..." I said.
"Maracujá dos Açores. Delicious." The worker then cut it in front of me to reveal a very odd seed interior that looked like a yellow alien egg sack. He then took half and handed it to me and scooped out the insides with his fingers and ate. Then he gestured me to do the same. I did and was hit with a strong tart flavor. It was delicious just like he said.
"Why are you eating passion fruit with your fingers?" asked Lee with my parents in tow.
"I've never had it before." I said taking another scoop with my fingers.
"...I like it." I added on savoring the taste.
My mom then grabbed 2 and paid the man a proper amount.
"Well don't just wander off by yourself next time okay?" asked my father and I nodded while taking another scoop of passion fruit.