Two weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I made a spontaneous decision. Vienna was frozen. Minus nine degrees. Snow. Ice. Wind. Lisbon promised seventeen degrees and sunlight. The choice didn’t take long.
Why Lisbon Won the Weather Argument
When winter in Vienna turns aggressive, productivity becomes a negotiation. Cold air, short days, and constant friction add up.
Lisbon offered the opposite: mild temperatures, light, and the psychological relief of not fighting the climate every time you leave the house.
Cheap flight prices made the decision even easier. Even if it meant flying via Bratislava.
Flying via Bratislava: Cheap, Practical, and Overlooked
Bratislava airport is barely an hour from Vienna. In exchange for that extra hour, prices drop noticeably.
It’s not glamorous. But it’s efficient.
The only real mistake wasn’t the route. It was timing.
The Cost of Poor Timing
The night before departure, I went bowling with friends. Bowling turned into beer. Beer turned into more beer.
At 5 a.m. on Sunday, the alarm rang.
Physically exhausted. Mentally questionable. But motivated by the knowledge that I was leaving winter behind.
The hangover didn’t disappear — but it became manageable. Warmth has that effect.
Arrival and the Hostel Decision
In Lisbon, I checked into what was technically a hostel. Private room. Shared bathroom. Shared toilet.
Normally, this is a hard no for me. A personal rule: never stay anywhere without your own bathroom.
This time, price and presentation overruled discipline.
Unlike Palermo, I did check the location carefully. And that made all the difference.
Why Location Matters More Than Comfort
The hostel was surprisingly quiet and barely occupied. One bathroom for two rooms. Located directly next to my room.
In practice, it felt private. In theory, it wasn’t.
It worked — because the location worked. Something I had learned the hard way before.
The First Evening: Beer, Architecture, and First Impressions
Sunday evening started simply.
I went to a kiosk and bought my first beer in Lisbon. It had to be local.
Super Bock sounded German. Closer inspection revealed: Made in Portugal. Approved.
Beer in hand, I walked through the city. The architecture immediately stood out. Light. Open. Different from central Europe.
Bairro Alto and the Tourist Trap Lesson
Eventually, I made my way toward Bairro Alto. Bars. Restaurants. Movement.
Fish was on my mental checklist. Lisbon is coastal. Ignoring that would feel wrong.
Despite usually avoiding tourist traps, I failed.
Standing outside, restaurant staff talked me in. Not aggressively. But convincingly enough.
Dinner: Acceptable, Not Memorable
I ordered the catch of the day. Codfish. House wine. Later, shrimp in garlic-tomato sauce.
The food wasn’t bad. It wasn’t special either.
Whether the fish came from the ocean or the supermarket remains unclear.
But at thirteen euros for the fish and thirteen for the shrimp, it wasn’t outrageous. Just forgettable.
Ending the Night the Lisbon Way
After dinner, I walked through the old town.
Eventually, I sat down at one of Lisbon’s many outdoor pavilion bars. Another Super Bock. City noise. Warm air.
The week hadn’t even started properly yet. But the reason for coming already made sense.
Final Thought
Lisbon didn’t begin with productivity hacks or work routines.
It began with escape. From cold. From friction. From unnecessary resistance.
Sometimes, that’s enough to reset the week ahead.
