A Doing Word…

The word “novus” is a Latin term that translates to “new” or “fresh” in English. It can refer to something that is recently created, introduced, or discovered. It can also indicate a sense of innovation or change. I like this word a lot.

While enjoying summer by the pool here in Austin I was also planning our fall trip to Portugal and looking for new things to try. I talked to my friend Helder who is from Portugal and Googled for local food specialties and the best restaurants in which to try them (see: Portugal 2023). Finding great new experiences takes some planning and effort which I call “Facilitated Serendipity”. More on that another day.

“Percebes” is the Portuguese/Spanish word for Gooseneck Barnacles, The word comes from the Medieval Latin pollicipēde, which is a combination of the Latin words pollicis (“thumb”) and pedes (“foot”). Maybe they would taste great, maybe not, but that had little influence on my interest. They were:

• New to me
• Not available to me in Austin (as far as I know)
• Something the locals like and have fun with
• Something fairly unique to Portugal and Spain
• A bit provocative

Definitely on the list!

Content in Links

I’ve added a lot of links in here if you’d like to learn more or see photos of our trip. I’m curious to know if you like that or prefer to just read. It reminds me of the old days of home pages. I’ve also shared our Portugal album here minus the nude beach photos (on request only)…

New Day, New Things

After a morning of sunning, swimming, and bouldering at the lovely Praia Do Zavial, we decided to get lunch at Restaurante O Lourenço in the lovely town of Salema. Travel west of Lagos, the city that anchors the west end of the popular Algarve region, and tourists and expats give way to a slower and more local vibe. As Rick Steve’s put it: “The Algarve of your dreams survives — just barely. Find it in Salema.” It’s also famous for being an active fishing village famous for seafood.

If I see something new to me on the menu I’ll generally order it, and today Percebes were available! I ordered them right away along with the grilled fish lunch special, and waited while enjoying a nice glass of Portuguese green wine with lovely Jen.

They arrived on the plate looking every bit as unique and provocative as I had expected. The local guy at the next table noticed my inexperience and taught me the right way to eat them: use your thumb to form a small break, fold it open, and bite it from far to near to coax the meat into your mouth. He told me stories of collecting them with his father, and how skilled you must be to time the waves to scurry down and cut a handful.

I felt super in touch with my inner sea otter as I broke each one off and coaxed out the morsel. It also sparked conversations with adjacent tables. Doing interesting things sparks conversation which leads to connection.

And they were tasty – briny and fresh from the sea, just like we were that day. Kind of a mollusk munchie, like pistachios in the shell in that they require a bit of work for a small reward. Rather than anything negative, this just makes me appreciate each morsel even more. A small bowl of pre-shucked Percebes would be no where near as fun.

Are they better than clams or mussels? It’s not about that. They just are.

Memories of New

For me, newness creates memories. I can remember every detail of the experience: the briny fresh taste, smell of the ocean, nice sun, people there and what they were doing, the time of day, temperature, weather, and more. I could draw the floorplan and show you our table and that of the others we talked to. If I could draw I could sketch lovely Jen and our meal together. I can go back there as a pleasant memory and re-experience it.

I had lots of food that was straight-up tastier, easier to eat, and more affordable. I remember some great saucy pastas, fresh fish, etc., but I find I don’t remember those with the same vividness.

A few of the things I remember best from our time in Portugal:

• The plane change in the Azores and smelling that exotic air, even for just a short time and a foreshadowing of our return trip.
• Arriving in Lisbon. Arrivals are always memorable. The ride through the city, checking in at the Flores Guesthouse, and exploring our neighborhood Praça das Flores
• All the fun things to try the Time Out Market and Mercado de Campo de Ourique
• Staying out until 2 AM with Jen in the Barrio Alto – make that jet lag work in your favor!
• The tinned fish at Conserveira de Lisboa
• The stormy, cold, and rainy night in the mountains with the British bike tourists trapped and waiting for better weather.
• Visiting Helder’s family beach house in Aveiro and exploring his local recommendations.
• Making a last-minute decision to stay in the small town of Ericeira, and the restaurant that opened for just three couples that night, with cats looking for food and love, and the husband and wife owners and operators taking breaks to sing and play music.
• The unexpectedly amazing AirBnB filled with history, the hosts, and the stories told from what was initially just a pit stop next to the airport.