Day 4 - July 3, 2022 - Lisbon, Portugal

Day 4 - July 3, 2022 - Lisbon, Portugal 

Sunny/Clear. High: 79, Low: 63

Soundtrack of the Day: Stadium Arcadium album, Red Hot Chili Peppers 

I remember when this album came out and I got it on CD. I played it over and over again in the car. Even my mom learned all of the lyrics to "Dani California". Such a masterpiece from the funkiest punk rock band ever. Had been a while since I listened to it, shout out to my little brother Tom for putting me back on to it. 

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Riley and I have successfully completed our first 4 days abroad. Having personally not experienced any real international travel before, my first 24 hours were mostly a haze of overwhelming excitement and jet lag. Luckily, an espresso is no more than 1 euro and my travel partner is an experienced vet. 

Lisbon is an incredible city. Every street we turn down is just as beautiful as the last. Almost all of the streets are made of stone with adjacent buildings adorned with different shades of aging pastel paint and/or beautiful assorted tiles, called azulejos. Azulejos come in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from simple geometric shapes to more ornate decorations. The wide range of them give many of the cities' buildings incredible character and color. Riley and I have gone almost everywhere by walking, whether purposeful and directed or explorative and wondrous. Yesterday we walked almost 15 miles. 

The culture around food here is awesome. Every night around 9, people join each other to sit down and have dinner, mostly outside. There is a huge emphasis on taking your time and not rushing. Riley and I quickly learned that we would stand out if we ate at the same pace we did back home. It has been a great opportunity for us to slow down and savor the moment. Many of the busier areas around our airbnb are filled with people outside, smoking, drinking, laughing, and eating until midnight or later. 

During the day, cafes all over offer pastries, snacks and espresso. It is almost impossible to find coffee the way that we have it back home. The closest thing to it would be the seldom seen offering of an Americano on the menu. Interestingly enough, this originated in WW2 with American soldiers in Italy feeling that traditional espresso was too strong and wanting something mellowed and watered down. How American. 

Often, we will turn a corner when we are out exploring and there will be a tiny little restaurant or cafe, sometimes with only a handful of outside tables. Service is very friendly, and while language has been somewhat of a barrier, It has been easy to look things up, point to the items on the menu, and attempt to pronounce it. Many people also speak English. 

One of my favorite things about the food so far has been that nothing has lacked any amount of seasoning. While not having an excessive amount of salt, everything has packed just the right amount of flavor and salinity.  As someone who has managed large scale food production, I could see "needs more salt" written as my epitaph. I appreciate a chef who is not timid in his approach to salting what they are preparing as it is a fundamental piece to enhancing flavor and can be the difference between a good and bad bite.  

On another note, I am slowly coming to peace with the fact that it will be quite some time before I have a California Mission style burrito again, something that has been such a staple in my diet for almost all of my life. Fortunately there are many other good options.  

The contrast between 20 centuries of history and more modern elements make for an incredibly interesting and exciting city that not one moment being in has been lost on me. I am loving every second of my first experience traveling oversees while also getting to do it with an amazing companion. 

Now for some pictures and highlights from the last 4 days: 

About to ship out from SFO

Preparing to annoy Riley for 11 hours on our first international flight together. 

Riley next to an equestrian statue of King John I in the Praca da Figueira sqare. This was the first photo I took in Lisbon after getting off the metro and on our way to the Airbnb. 

View from the small terrace outside our room at the Airbnb.

View of our airbnb from street level with our room circled in red. The building is over 400 years old.

Picture of that amazing travel companion I was referring to before. 

Riley standing in Commerce Square in front of the Arco de Rua Augusta.

Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the discoveries) 

Located along the Tagus river estuary where many Portuguese ships departed to trade and explore, this monument celebrates the Portuguese age of discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Belem Tower. Built in 1514, this iconic tower served as a defensive point and gateway to Lisbon.

Museu de Marinha. Maritime museum dedicated to the history of naval navigation and exploration for Portugal. Super interesting and full of lots of amazing replicas. 

Riley standing in front of the Lisbon Cathedral. This is the oldest church in Lisbon. 

While all of our meals have been delicious, some of the best food we have had on this trip are Lisbon's traditional classics. 

Some of my favorites include: 

Pastel de Nata are a very recognizable and iconic Portuguese egg custard tart. They have a caramelized and sometimes almost burnt layer on top. Somewhat similar to Creme Brûlée, they are very addictive and we have had at least 1 every day (There may or may not have been a day where I had 4...).

Bifana shop.

Preparing to eat a Bifana. 

BIFANA!!! Traditionally marinated and cooked in white wine, paprika, and lots of garlic, thin slices of pork steak are served on a simple roll. No Fuss. No frills. Simple and powerful flavor just like much of Portugal's cuisine. I like to add queijo on mine. 

Rissóis de Leitão. This literally translates to piglet patties. Basically a pork rillette battered and deep fried. Need I say anything else? 

Riley and I riding the famed line 28 tram. 

Awesome day trip to Cascasis. About an hour train ride outside the city. Spent the day exploring the town and laying on the beach. Water is just as cold as back home. With the weather being high 80's it was much more manageable though. 

At the national Museum of Azulejos. 

Channelling my inner Stephen Curry. NIGHT NIGHT! 

Atop Castelo de St. George. With amazing 360 degree panoramic views of the city, this defensive strongpoint dates all the way back to 6th century BC. It is one of Lisbon's most distinctive monuments.

From the top of the Santa Justa elevator you can look down on to the Baixa neighborhood that we are staying in. 

Big Door. 

<3