Lisbon / Porto
Lisbon
Woke up in my Lisbon hotel at 5pm. Checked google. Sundown at 533pm.
Ran out as fast as I could towards the waterfront. Here is that journey in photo form.
I hate traveling with a strict schedule. Museum after landmark after event gets exhausting. This time around I’ve been winging it.
Wandered around Lisbon for the first few hours. I stumbled on a party at the Timeout Market.
Tried to sneak in but got punted at the door…
Wandered down to the waterfront to a party they were hosting for digital nomads based in Lisbon. They were checking tickets at the door so I snuck to the back and jumped the fence.
I’ve been slightly obsessed with sneaking into parties lately. The thrill of being in places I’m not supposed to be. Makes me feel ALIVE.
Made a new friend at the start of the party (social media manager from Nebraska who’s been working freelance/internationally for the past few years) and we spent the rest of the time meeting everyone else/drinking.
International people are pretty cool. Everyone’s journeyed to a place off the expected path and they generally have good/interesting reasons for doing so. They’re also more inclined to become fast friends since they’re alone in a foreign place and don’t know anyone.
Ended the night at a Portuguese McDonald’s with a disappointing burger.
Lisbon was fun and I’d love to work here for some time. I can’t see myself staying that long because the city seems kind of small but it feels like a beautiful paradise.
Beaches. Nice people. Cheap food.
Porto
Took the train up north to Porto. Spent the next few days doing more of the same.
Met some people at another international traveler party. Went clubbing with them.
To my disappointment, my Airbnb turned out to be located just a street over. I laid in bed several nights past 5am listening to the thumping bass of the clubs
Was surprised to hear Christmas music at the club. I think this is because they don’t have a buffer holiday like Thanksgiving to take up their attention in November
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Watched a traditional Portuguese Fado show.
It’s known for being a mournful music. Vocals accompanied with guitar. Very sad/weepy. I asked two different Portuguese people if they liked Fado and they said no because it’s too sad (Sado).
Did some Port tasting
Yum I like the sweet wine
Hung out with a Swedish friend I made who’s studying in Portugal for Erasmus (a European practice of studying abroad in a different country)
Went on a date with a Brazilian girl that had relocated to Portugal.
I was curious about dating in a different country but it was kind of the same as in America?
We got coffee and walked around
She was kinda quiet at the beginning but quickly became extremely talkative (talking about drama she had in her friend group) towards the end of the date. I could barely get a word in by the end.
Listened to a number of street performers. Some of them were the best singers I’ve heard in years
Went on a walking tour on my last day. Some info from the guide:
Portuguese people are also known as Tripeiros (tripe eaters).
This signifies their willingness to sacrifice for the country. Back in the day their king would ask them to give up meat as part of the war effort and Portuguese ppl would proudly eat tripe instead
Portuguese people are also known for being aggressive/kind.
The feeling I got during my time is they’re pretty open, straightforward, friendly. Not too particular/uppity. The girl I went on a date with mentioned the Portuguese “don’t have too high standards” which is not what I wanted to hear while on a date with her but sure that makes sense.
Walking around Porto you’ll see a lot of students wearing what looks like Harry Potter cloaks/attire.
JK Rowling lived in Porto for a few years before writing Harry Potter and it’s generally believed that a lot of that was inspired by her time there.
Would have loved to pick up a cloak but they’re hard to get. The students are very exclusive/secretive
There’s a tradition where the newer students aren’t allowed to wear cloaks until their second year. That first year is full of hazing, lowered privileges (e.g. not being able to make eye contact with upperclassmen)
Porto was even more picturesque. One of the most beautiful cities I’ve seen in the world. Would have loved to spend some more time there (spent two nights there) but got the sense I might get bored after a while (kind of small).
hotel for the neighborhood cats
My tour guide also mentioned that even up to 15 years ago Porto was kind of slummy and only recently became a tourist destination. Apparently there’s some tension between the residents and tourists and a lot of the residents are being priced out of the nicer parts of Porto.
Food & Recs
Lisbon
Went to Time Out Market. Food court with a ton of options.
Pastel de nata from Manteigaria. This is what the city’s known for. Delicious
Codfish cakes. I ate three of these and thought they were very overrated. A little too salty with a mushy/boney texture in the middle
Porto
Went to Brasao Cervejaria on a recommendation. Really delicious/great service. They serve bread with olives and butter. I hated olives for years before eating here but this meal changed that.
This rissol was the best thing I ate in porto. A beef, mushroom, truffle mixture encapsulated by a fluffy on the inside, crunch on the outside wrap. Take a bite and the inner juices floooooood your mouth. Dip it in that sauce on the side and ooooh-wheee what a dish~
Also ordered a francesinha. This is what Porto’s known for food wise. A heaping sandwich of gravy, cheese, bread, pork, ham. Super filling/food coma bomb. I ate this right before my date and had to drink a ton of coffee to get my energy back.
I’m not a fan of the dish. Too much food. TOO MUCH GOING ON. Also thought the gravy was a little too salty.
Gotta have port if you go to Porto.
Even more baked goods. Got a particularly good one at Nata Lisboa.
Great cheap beef sandwich (prego) at Pregar
Some recs from my tour guide for future reference:
Music Update
Not much to report. Taking two weeks off singing and songwriting classes while I’m traveling.
Upon return to the US I’ll perform some songs for our upcoming Couchella event.
Portugal was great. I’m currently in London but will head back to Portugal afterwards. Woke up super early and caught the sunrise for the first time in months (years?)
