One thing I know for sure: this journey is already shaping me. Not just through the places I see, but through the way people come together – especially in music.
Lisbon is full of buskers, but even fuller of mutual respect. You greet each other with a nod or a fist bump, wait your turn, and take the spot once the last note fades. I’ve watched a few concerts here – and what struck me most was the way musicians share the stage: everyone gets a turn to sing, instruments are passed around like snacks at a picnic, and no one is in the spotlight alone. Yet somehow, everyone shines.
In the middle of this beautiful chaos, I stumbled upon a barbershop in Alcântara that instantly felt like home. Barbearia Zé Nunes. I went there twice – not just for the fresh cut, but for the warm vibe and kind souls working there. After my second visit, I asked the owner if he’d be up for a concert in the shop.
Music for a crate of Super Bock.
He grinned and said yes.
So I played for the hardworking barbers after hours – and we split the pay like brothers.
Alcântara Tips:
– Coffee at Perioca Café
– Stroll through the Instituto Superior de Agronomia park (where I filmed Monkey Shoulders and spotted a parrot)
– Lunch with the old fellas at A Pérola de Alcântara
– And for a trim or shave: Barbearia Zé Nunes. Tell them Joe sent you.
