…which is short for Portugal. I call it Portchy out of affection and to call attention to the close relationship we have.

I’m working on the plans. I haven’t booked any hotels yet, but I’ve been researching them, as is my joyous hobby.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY:

1. March 16: Leave Iowa, travel, blah blah blah
2. March 17: Arrive in Lisbon. Stay for 2(?) nights at, perhaps, the Sana Classic Executive hotel:
   

3. March 19: Go to Sintra, a town near Lisbon that is, according to Lord Byron,
   

   …perhaps in every aspect the most delightful in Europe; it contains beauties of every description natural and artificial. Palaces and gardens rising in the midst of rocks, cataracts and precipices, convents on stupendous heights, a distant view of the sea and the Tagus…it unifies in itself all the wildness of the Western Highlands with the verdure of the South of France.

   Yes, I’m aware that Lord Byron wrote that over two hundred years ago. But from what I hear, it’s still really nice.

   

4. March 21: go to Tomar, for (oh, yes) the conference. I will do my damnedest to help Denny in any interpretation-related way I can.
   

5. March 24 (my total birthday): Head back to Lisbon to catch our early flight on the 25th. This is my second consecutive birthday spent in a cool, non-U.S. location. I like this trend.