The 10-18 Scavenger Hunt of Lisboa
For our second wedding anniversary (!!!), we went to Lisbon* for a long weekend. I've been wanting to go, but didn't know ANYthing about the city, or country in fact, even when we landed. Case in point: it's Lisboa in Portuguese and nope, didn't know that. We showed up with our suitcases, an Airbnb booked, and no plans and no ideas of what are the must-dos. So we scribbled down 18 things -- in honor of our actual anniversary date, 10/18 -- that we had to photo-find over the next 3 days. The next morning we were off! On runs around the city, a free walking tour, locals-only beer festival, a day at the beach, and some standard exploration. Here's the results - judge for yourself! Did we win?
THE 10-18 SCAVENGER HUNT OF LISBOA
- Could-be San Franciscan
- Trump supporter
- Something from Germany
- Something better than Germany
- Summer vacation reminder
- A 10-18 reminder (our anniversary date)
- A gift for Truffle
- Renewable energy
- Are we in San Francisco?
- A doppelgänger
- Something from Sarah's kitchen
- Urban gaper
- History!
- Something lost
- Something found
- A fireplace, scrapbook, or cribbage board (not ours)
- Two lovers (not us)
- You'll know it when you see it
1) Could-be San Franciscan. The messy sidebun is a San Francisco standard. The food truck she's working in made it a shoe-in. Found at a beer festival outside of Lisbon.
2) Trump supporter. So we didn't actually talk to these three people on our walking tour, per se, so it's pretty judge-y of us to assume. And we feel bad about that... But you'll just have to trust us that we had enough clues and are still pretty sure they're not With Her.
3) Something from Germany. We overheard this tourist family speaking in German. It's an unmistakable language (to say the least).
4) Something better than Germany. This one was easy. One of my least favorite things about living in Munich is the lack of coffee-shop-work culture. I always feel like an obnoxious American busting out my computer when everyone else is sitting in intimate conversation or with print newspapers and cappuccinos. Portugal, though, is filled with awesome cafes and bars where people of all different ages work and study. When we stopped in this German-themed cafe in the middle of Lisbon, it was filled with chill Portuguese. Some reading, some talking, some working. It's a place I'd totally hang... if it existed in Munich. Definitely better here in Lisbon.
5) Summer vacation reminder. We went on a two-week roadtrip around Scotland this summer (one of these days we'll write a post). We stopped for an afternoon beer and a few rounds of cribbage at Duque Brewpub. Next to us were two young kids from Newcastle. UK - close enough! Definitely reminded us of vacation.
6) A 10-18 reminder (our anniversary date). As many of you know, we got married in Bolinas - one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Our first afternoon in Lisbon, we got wind of a small beer festival the weekend we were in town. Portugal is known for wine. But there's a small, burgeoning craft beer scene and we were eager to learn more. A 25-minute drive out of town, we found ourselves in the middle of a pretty authentico evening, tasting small batch, just-created brews, and speaking in broken sentences to the brewers and workers. I saw this when we first walked in and shrieked, knowing how perfectly we just scored for #6 on the list.
7) A gift for Truffle. She comes with us most places, but not anywhere we need to take a plane. Truff wasn't with us in person, but she was in spirit. We thought of her a lot, and imagined what parts of Portugal she'd dig, and parts she'd be over. Took a trail walk along the coast in Cascais and thought of her - hiking is her fave. Note: we also walked along a beach; also could have qualified.
8) Renewable energy. Admittedly, this one was WAY harder than we thought it would be. And, frankly, than it should be - shouldn't there be solar all across Portugal? There's like no renewable energy around Lisbon... especially compared to Germany and Austria. But, toward the end of our last day walking back into Cascais, we spotted these beauties on the roof of the police station - the only ones we saw anywhere. They didn't look like panels we see in the US (or Germany for that matter), so I went in to the station to confirm. Check.
9) Are we in San Francisco? Tartine in San Francisco was just a few blocks from our apartment. And this tartine, while not in the same league, was only a few blocks from our Airbnb. And they make a mean spinach croissant. Yes, we had breakfast there every single morning.
10) A doppelgänger. You can't tell in this photo, but he is a living, breathing Portuguese BEN KAUFMAN. From the ethnically ambiguous physical traits, to his point of view on urban development, he is BK's long lost brother. Also, if you're ever in Lisbon, take this free tour; and we totally recommend our guide, Ben. I mean Nuno.
11) Something from Sarah's kitchen. Grabbed a snackboard while at Dois Corvos brewery in Lisbon, and it literally could have come from our apartment on 19th St. A slate cheese board, olives, and nuts. Yep.
12) Urban gaper. Rick Steves book & socked Tevas, with bright yellow backpack and shirt in case they get separated in a crowd - the city version of an unhip snow enthusiast. [...and, yes, we realize this is probably us, fast forward into the future.]
13) History! The Sé de Lisboa (also known as Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa, or the Lisbon Cathedral). It's a Roman Catholic Church dating back to 1147. Easily: history.
14) Something lost. These are stairs to nowhere along the coastal walk in Cascais.
15) Something found. The food in Germany is, generally speaking, very rich. Food is fresh, yes, and the markets are fantastic. But overall, I have a lack of veggies -- especially kale -- in my life. NOT ANY MORE! I FOUND THE VEGETABLES!!! Thanks to this amazing spot, House of Wonders, we stumbled on.
16) A fireplace, scrapbook, or cribbage board (not ours). House of Wonders was a total score not just because of the veggies (and #15), but also because we checked off another! When we walked in and saw this old school wood stove, we high-fived immediately, knowing we hit #16.
17) Two lovers (not us). Two seconds before we snapped this pic, these two love-bird teenagers were totally all over each other. It was cute to see their 16-year-old excitement. And this more subdued moment of affection also made us smile.
18) You'll know it when you see it. We re-read our vows, and talked about the last year, and all the good parts and hard parts and how awesome it is to be together. Anniversary money shot as our scavenger hunt wild card.
In the end, we considered our scavenger hunt a total victory. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Here's the evidence of 18 items checked:
* Lisbon?
Lisbon was AWESOME. We went there because I put it on my must-see list, and Dave booked it with miles two months prior without me knowing. Our Airbnb was perfect, cheap, and in the center of an incredibly vibrant town. Restaurants, bars, hip shops everywhere we turned. Amazing food, always affordable. A nascent beer scene that we were somehow able to get see up close. Vegetables on every menu! And the wine is pretty darn good too at a really good price. Bonus: everyone spoke impeccable English. The news tells you Portugal has serious economic troubles, but we saw only the contrary: expensive cars, every establishment full, and construction everywhere (the most we've seen in Europe; or, anywhere, really). Strongly recommend it; we'll be happy to travel back there with you.