So I was 22 and backpacking solo through Europe last summer and ended up spending a few days in this tiny beach town in Portugal. It was one of those places where time feels fake, no responsibilities, just waves and cheap sangria.
Anyway, I was on the beach alone one evening when this girl, maybe a year or two older than me, sat down next to me and asked if I had a lighter. We started talking, and she had this certain wild energy. Like someone who reads tarot but also probably hasn’t paid taxes in years lolll. Her name was Vega.
She pulls out a bag of mushrooms and goes, “Trust me”. And for some reason, I guess the sunset was hitting just right and I had no real plans, I was like fuck it ill only be 22 and in Portugal once.
Fast forward like two hours, and we are absolutely gone. The sand feels like it's breathing and I remember thinking the ocean was trying to tell me the meaning of life. I literally felt like Moana. Vega is spinning in circles, laughing at the moon. At some point, we decide to go for a walk, and we start hearing music. Real music like violins, bass, laughter. At first I couldn't tell if it was real or in my head, but Vega said she could also hear it.
We follow the sound and somehow end up at a wedding. A full-on, beautiful beachfront wedding with twinkly lights and catered food and people in linen. I panicked and was like “We can't just walk in,” but Vega looks at me dead serious and says, “We’re meant to be here.” And then she just walks in. Wild girl.
No one stops us. I think they thought we were cousins or part of the bride’s weird artsy friend group. So we just… joined. I danced with a man named João who told me he was the bride’s uncle. I told him I was the bride's friend from high school. I also ate two slices of cake. At one point I started crying during the speeches. Even though they were in Portuguese and I couldn't understand, they sounded so beautiful and emotional.
Anyway, this trip was supposed to be spiritual for me to find myself. And I honestly believe I sorta did. This is a memory I will forever cherish.
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