Dinner with strangers in Lisbon
Not me getting into crazy things again…just kidding.
Only some people would think this was crazy.
Dinner with complete strangers…would you do it?
Last week, I signed up for this app called Timeleft, which organizes dinners with complete strangers in big cities, and on Friday I went to my first one.
What better way to meet people than signing up for dinner with strangers, am I right?
Coming to Lisbon, Portugal, I told myself I really wanted to “try on” living here to see if I want to move here and apply for the Digital Nomad Visa - eek! I told myself I wanted to attend events, make friends, get a place to rent to ground myself, date, experience different communities, and really immerse myself in the slower-paced culture + daily living.
I remind myself… what a PRIVILEGE it is to be in a new place, surrounded by many languages, cultures, people, sights, and newness. What a privilege it is to feel overwhelm from experiencing something that’s brand new to me. What a privilege it is to have the capacity to learn, adapt, and still show up courageously.
What was supposed to be a 5-person dinner ended up being 3, but that’s okay. I believe everything happens exactly how it’s supposed to. The table was a 51-year-old man from Palestine/Honduras, a 40-year-old woman from France/Belgium, and myself. Conversation flowed easily, and slowly we got to know each other and, well…long story short, I was out until 3am (way past my bedtime).
When dinner in Portugal doesn’t start until 8pm and everything moves at a slower pace, it’s easy to lose track of time. After dinner, the app gives you a bar to go to next, where all the other Timeleft dinner groups meet up to hang out – so our party of 3 decided to join. The 3 of us quickly turned into 20+, with conversations flowing between people from all over the world, all ages, all genders, and laughter filling the room (in my opinion, the best universal language).
I sat back at one moment just taking it all in and thought to myself, wow, this is so cool. I’m talking to people from Poland, India, Russia, Angola, Romania…the list goes on.
We shut down the bar and went to another one. That’s the one we danced at until 3am. I. WAS. SWEATING. And then finally sent myself home 😂
I went home so full.
While meeting all the people I did, I noticed one thing remained true across every connection: openness. Sure, it probably helps that most people there were expats with a desire to make new friends too, but everyone was so open and willing to step into conversation – no hesitation, just genuine interest. Honestly, it was so refreshing.
In my experience, when people enter a space openly, the capacity for real connection widens. No walls. No masks. Just people seeing each other as souls and exchanging energy with the desire to see and be seen, listen and be heard.
These are the kinds of connections that fill me up and the kind I love creating on retreats, in my monthly sisterhood circles, etc.
I also can’t go without mentioning that I so gratefully walked away with a soul sister (the 40-year-old French/Belgian woman I mentioned earlier, Sarah). We’ve already hung out a second time, and she invited me into her group of friends. We had dinner together last night and OMG…we had the best time.
As I was walking home, I had this moment of, aww, I think I just found my people, and it filled me with overwhelming joy and excitement for continued relationships and more divine connections as I slowly integrate into this city.
Making new friends feels especially sweet when you’re solo traveling and don’t know anyone, or even when you’re not solo traveling and you make a new friend, period. How sweet, right? Adult friendships are not recognized enough.
I’m deeply grateful for the open hearts I’ve crossed paths with so far here in Lisbon. And my goodness, there is always something to do here. They weren’t lying! Even in the “off season,” this city is so abundant… and I love it.
May this serve as your reminder to check-in on your friends or put yourself out there to make some new ones, especially if you get the winter blues!
If you're not sure where to start, try a dinner with strangers through Timeleft, Bumble BFF, or ya know…you can join my Rising Sisterhood Movement channel where I host FREE monthly workshops + sisterhood circles.
xx,
Anayat