On Top of: Bairro Alto - Gay in Lisbon

10 de Maio, 2011. 2:30am - Lisboa, Portugal
Achieved with the help of some Poles (punnerific).
They were very quotable. Good times.

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11 de Maio, 2011. 3:00am - Lisboa, Portugal
My first time above something with a partner-in-climb, an American Senhora from Wisconsin. This was on top of a remarkable lookout at Miradouro de Santa Catarina.

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12 de Maio, 2011. 4:00pm - Lisboa, Portugal
To promote the Semana Academica de Lisboa (Education Week) party headlined by Fatboy Slim, some cool kids were rolling around a Double decker bus blaring loud music and hitting all the money spots of Lisboa. We asked if we could hop aboard. Tudo Bom!

Read the expanded bus story here - Spotted: The 'Fat Boy Slim' Double Decker bus in Lisboa, Portugal

Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (3 of 3)

The best way I've come across inadvertent awesomeness has been attending cultural events. Venues for gallery openings, film festivals and rock shows are usually found in hip, scenic parts of town. These might be in barrios or back streets that might otherwise be overlooked.

Cruising altitude

Whilst doing venue reconnaissance for a a hardcore show I stumbled on a nice overlook, this same area housed the Castelo Sao Jorge so that was a day well spent. Whilst admiring the view in a private nook near the castle I had a pleasant encounter. Using basic deduction and reconsulting my flyer I confirmed that the 3 cool kids who joined me were Swedish hardcore band 'Guilty'. We chilled, told stories then reconnected at the show. If all goes well hopefully it will continue in Sweden.

Rocking up

Rocking out

Portugal has been amazing. As the hostel energy has been relatively low my experience hasn't been incredibly social but definitely eventful. Its simply been a matter of putting oneself in good position.

Keepin' the faith

"It's all about Steez" - Word, Lisbon.

Other cool "go with the flow" stories (big and small) in Portugal:
- I randomly bumped into and hung with a Sydney comedian I know in Bairro Alto, pequeno mundo! He told me that the entire scene is migrating to Europe. Bummer for Sydney. (Update: Caught up with a few of them at the Edinburgh Fringe)
- I spotted this and went on top of that
- I read about 'Underground restaurants' in some street press, my roomate in Sintra mentioned she just had an encounter with a local who took her to one. That's my next mission. (Update: Accomplished!)
- Whilst looking for places to eat before a gig, some tourists asked for my help looking for a recommended restaurant in a guide book. Was clueless at the time but found it myself minutes later. Good find, they never did join me. I think they might have given up.
- Two great international exhibition finds 'The World Press Cartoon' in Sintra and 'The World Press Photo' in Belem.
- Hung out with German filmakers after a screening at IndieLisboa

- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (1 of 3)
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (2 of 3)
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (3 of 3)

Spotted in: Portugal - Wishing a picture could tell 1000 words

Spotted in Sintra, Portugal - 8 de Maio, 2011. 3pm
There are 3 dogs in this picture. The first is the puppy with the lady peering out the window. The second is Big Dog with the gangsta lean from the wall.
If you guessed that the final dog was being smuggled by the mother of the two bonitas. Give yourself +5000 points.

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Spotted in Lisboa, Portugal - 6 de Maio, 2011. 1pm
Whilst doing venue recon for a hardcore show that evening I stumbled on this sight. Hippies juggling pins and balancing crystal balls whilst a couple were making out with a Cruise ship gliding behind atop an ocean front view.

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Spotted in Lisboa, Portugal - 9 de Maio, 2011. 3pm

Seinfeld Moment #1 - Ep.28 The Alternate Side
In Europe it seems like every corner has someone working their hustle. This guy collects keys from his patrons and helps shuffle around their cars a la George Costanza in the 'Alternate side' episode.

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Spotted in Lisboa, Portugal - 10 de Maio, 2011. 7pm

Seinfeld Moment #2 - Ep.162 The Merv Griffin Show
After watching German film 'Über uns das All' (Above Us Only Sky) as part of the IndieLisboa Film Festival, I watched the Q+A joining one other patron. The Q+A featured the Festival director interviewing The screenwriter/director and cinematographer. So that makes it 3 people on stage talking to two people. We could have all just gone to coffee but the festival guy Neil young was a machine. He was channeling Kramer from the 'Merv Griffin' episode.

The best part was when the cleaning lady walked past,disturbing the initmate session and the director looked at us incredulously with a "What the?" expression on his face. It was cool, we joined the Germans for a chat in the smoker's area and I had a local friend for the rest of the day.

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Spotted in Fatima, Portugal - 14 de Maio, 2011. 1pm

Seinfeld Moment #3 - Ep.162 The Merv Griffin Show
George Costanza: Miranda thinks I'm a butcher, but - it's not my fault, is it? Don't we have a deal with the pigeons?
Jerry Seinfeld: Of course we have a deal: They get out of the way of our cars; we look the other way on the statue defecations.

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Spotted in Lisboa, Portugal - 15 de Maio, 2011. 8:30pm
Brazilians living large - Small cars, big speakers and big flags. Small cutie getting her Carnivale on. This happened at an impromptu offsite party at the 'Brazilian Day' in Lisboa.

Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (2 of 3)

After spending a pleasant day in Belem, seeing the sights and the unexpected treat of the 'World Press Photo' exhibition I returned to Lisboa feeling accomplished.

I decide to pop into the MTN Shop/Gallery in Bairro Alto as I'd been meaning to get their patented "94" stickers. Day 94 was my last day in glorious Spain and I was unable to nab any in Sevilla as the store hadn't officially opened yet.

They were setting up for a Gallery opening that night, 'Push Click' - Street art inspired by Video Games.

Pre-game...

On my way to get some jantar (dinner), I asked about the commotion at Praça Luís de Camões‎. N*ke were setting up there Lunarun #3, interestingly a concept similar to this had recently been introduced to me in Granada. I signed up with half an hour to spare. Continued with dinner, downed a cerveja and caught the start of both Europa League semifinals featuring a historic 3 teams from Portugal.

I arrived at the site and chatted to some kids to acquaint myself with the rules:
- You're given a map of the city, it features checkpoints but nothing is labelled
- Clues are provided but they are entirely in Portugese
- You need to get to 4 of the 5 marked spots, have your checklist signed off then return to the start once completed
- I followed others mostly but fluked the last checkpoint when I got lost going it alone
- My foolhardiness definitely cost me. I finished 76th with a time of 33min.

The last photo I took before my camera died

Água and Pizza was had. I had been told there were prizes for the 1st placegetter and a Lucky Draw winner. Whilst english is widely spoken in Portugal, all the announcements were in Portugese. Apparently they were calling my number repeatedly and began to draw a new one as noone was claiming it, thankfully my curiosity got the better of me and I asked about the commotion. I'm extremely lucky to have spoken to the right combination of kids, gleaming just the right amount of information.

I ran on stage, fumbled for my scorecard. Got on the podium with a huge novelty cheque and an even bigger novelty smile. I won the right to create my own N*keID kicks, no points for guessing what the inspiration will be. Interestingly, I had befriended a N*kestore clerk a day earlier who had told me how they could ship N*keID instore, my only option as they don't ship to Australia. We brainstormed the inscription together the following day.

Scoring ID kicks at the Lunarun in Lisboa, Portugal

- Read a detailed account of my Sneaker Win on my guestpost for 'Couple of Sports'
- Go to the official N*keRunning Portugal Facebook page
- Find Lunarun #3 photos here
- Check out my Kicks here

Capped the night by checking out the 'Push Click' exhibition...

PPPPOWER UP!!

Badge 1: "Always on time, never on schedule".
Customary free beer for an exhibition opening. Badge 5: "Win!"

Portugal is going to be the BOM!

- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (1 of 3)
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (2 of 3)
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (3 of 3)

Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (1 of 3)

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early,
he arrives precisely when he means to"
- Gandalf, Lord of the Rings

The first thing you notice on the road is that everyone travels differently. Each person has their own definition of fun determined by their value systems, personality and comfort. There are no right or wrong answers, each person chooses a path that suits them.

Arriving in a new city, I rarely equip myself with a map or foreknowledge. Just basic language prep and a foolhardy belief that my curiosity and humility can carry me through. Just going with the flow - Corrente.

A lookout found near the hardcore gig that night

My only daily proviso is to be productive and prolific. As no plan is charted and I'm doing things as they move me, it ensures satisfaction. Its hard to get underwhelmed when everything seems like a stolen moment. Sometimes its finding a 'happening', having small-world moments bumping into people met in other towns or stumbling on to amazing places. I've arrived unwittingly to the most touristic locations and been blissful at the "discovery".

What a view. How's the serenity?

Admittedly its easier to implement when traveling independently and with the privilege of time. Following laughter heard in the distance, trusting the feeling a path offers, asking questions, sniffing around, looking for signs. And most importantly, a sense of satisfaction.

Following the ruckus - 'Dias em confuso'

With a "no wrong answers" approach, delays and detours just become alternate routes to good times. Getting lost has better oriented me for situations days later, being late has realigned my timing for a beautiful encounter. You'd be surprised how often thoughts and conversations from days previous manifest themselves soon after.

The luxury of time

The start of Portugal has been ridonc! Lisbon keeps delivering. I've actually been meaning to get off this wave so I can document this unforgettable experience. I will be sharing them to you in three parts. Stay tuned.

Its 'Day 100' of my European odyssey. Tudo Bom - Its All Good!

- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (1 of 3)
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (2 of 3)
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (3 of 3)

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (in Español)

My time in Spain was amazing. I am in Portugal now and its proving to be just as awesome.

I will wrap up my posts on Spain with a selection of "Songs to be happy to" in Español.
Fittingly just like happiness these songs have been on the radar but have proved quite elusive.

VIDEO: 'Qué mierda ser yo' by Avenue Q


Avenue Q is possibly the smartest, most feel-good live performance I've ever seen. It had a run in Madrid but due to bad timing I was unable to catch a show or even bag some cool Spanish merch. I thought I might have had a second bite of the cherry as an unexpected opportunity to return to Madrid arose, sadly it never eventuated.

Lyrics to my favourite Avenue Q song - For Now

Avenue Q - For Now (click to watch)
Don't stress,
Relax,
Let life roll off your backs
Except for death and paying taxes,
Everything in life is only for now!

Each time you smile...
It'll only last a while.

Life may be scary...
But it's only temporary

VIDEO: 'Me gustas tu' by Manu Chao


I've heard Manu Chao mentioned several times in Europe. Travellers have said his songs have formed the anthem of their time here. Locals have made plans over dinner to see him perform across the border. Apparently he's a household name internationally, I'm not sure if Australia received the memo.

- Find the entire 'Road Music' Track listings here

Road Music: Hipsters and Hardcore in Lisboa, Portugal

Portugal is great. I've been to some cool shows at some cool venues in Lisboa.

Who: Chain and the Gang
Where: Musicbox, Lisbon
When: Quarta, 4 de Maio

Banter before song

CHAIN: How can I remove knowledge I don't want to have?
MAN IN CROWD: Drugs!
CHAIN: NO! Drugs are too expensive... and secondly they're illegal.

Lyrics to 'Youth is wasted on the young'

"All that talent wasted on a video game"

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Who: Youth Of Today (USA) + Uma Só Voz (PT) + Wrong Answer (USA) + Guilty (SWE)
Where: Santiago Alquimista, Lisbon
When: Sexta, 6 de Maio

Banter before the song 'A Time We'll Remember' by Youth of Today

Everyone always looks to the past for the "good ol' days" and its always 5/10 years ago. Even back then people were saying it was better 5/10 years ago. Well I say "Right NOW is the good ol' days!"

Photo of Uma só voz (X-Acto tribute band)
Lyrics from a classic song by '7 Seconds' which YOT performed to close the show

"I'm gonna stay young until I die!"

Advertised on the show flyer

"A Positive hardcore show!!!!

Lyrics to a song by 'Youth of Today'

Potential Friends
Here I sit so fucking shy
wondering what's going through your mind
or what you're even like
as time ticks quickly by
a life so short, incomplete
so many people I'd like to meet
feeling awkward, afraid
potential friends I could've made
why do we keep to ourselves
and not dare to leave our fucking shells
let our feelings and emotions blend
we could be the best of friends

Other posts on finding music in Lisboa, Portugal
- Tudo Bom: The first 3 days in Portugal (3 of 3)
- Spotted: The 'Fat Boy Slim' Double Decker bus in Lisboa, Portugal