To my brother and Caterina

“What does this say” my dad said. “I don’t know I'm so lost” added my mom. Everyone around us was speaking Portuguese and I did not understand at all. What could I do? What was going to happen if I couldn't understand...anyone? “Sophie!’ My dad had yelled. After a five-hour car ride, I was ready to soak up the sun and hit the ocean.  

It all began on a sunny day in Portugal. My family and I had to go on a five-hour car ride to get to Lagos.  

“Everyone ready to go to the beach” my dad had said. 

“Yes!’ I exclaimed. I was ecstatic. Once I got into the car, I dozed for the whole car ride. As we arrived, I could feel the sun beating down on me as I woke. I quickly put on my sunglasses and sunscreen. It was so hot that I had puddles of sweat under me! 

“Is everyone ready to go to the boardwalk?” 

“Yes, definitely!” my sister and I said simultaneously.  

As my mom said that, I wondered where my brother and Caterina were. Just as I thought about that, my brother and Caterina arrived. 

“Sorry we were a little late” my brother said.  

“Well you came just in time” my mom said. We all started walking on the boardwalk and we eventually got to the beach.  

As I strolled by other people, I was confused by what they were saying. I whispered to my mom, "What are they saying?” 

“I have no clue” my mom answered. I just ignored it and kept walking.  

As I walked into the ocean, the water was clear as glass. I could see my feet through it! 

“The water is so clear!” exclaimed my sister. As I walked out of the ocean, I heard the strange language again. Once again, I ignored it. My brother and Caterina were not close to us. If we needed help from them, we couldn't get any.  

I was inquiring the thought of not being able to have help if something went wrong.  

“What are you thinking about, Soph?”    

“Nothing” I answered quickly to my dad. This time, I heard two voices that I recognized. My uncles! All my family members greeted them with joy.  

After that, we went back to our beach house and tool a look around. The house smelled of seafood and saltwater. There was a lady who was cleaning up after the last guest. She said something that none of us could understand. Caterina and my brother were still at the beach. So, we did not have any help. We just nodded and she gave us a confused look. Instead of just standing there, I went to look around.    

Where is my mom? I wondered.  

After five minutes of looking around, my parents suggested that we change into are bathing suits and head down to the beach. “Yes!” I said with enthusiasm. I got changed and then I applied more sunblock. Our whole family then met up with Caterina and my brother. 

As I got to the beach, I immediately started building a sandcastle and playing in the sand.  

Afterwards, we all decided to go swimming. All the sudden, I heard these loud, pitched screams coming from the beach. Everyone was pointing to the water. Caterina quickly realized they were yelling “shark!” She told us to get out of the water as fast as we could. I quickly sprinted out of the water and jumped on the beach with relief. After everyone was out of the water, we all realized it was just a stingray. Still is dangerous I thought. I thanked Caterina for saving me. I was very thankful for her being there with us that day.  

I was terrified when I learned there was a “shark” in the water, but thankful I was warned about it. I learned my lesson and from now on, I will always be prepared when I go on vacation. I hope I can learn different languages before I go to a country I  have never been to before.