IDEA176: Get Lunchbox App and Connect with Lunchtime Travelers!

Here at LLYT Headquarters, we go on and on about being a "Lunchtime Traveler." It's about using your lunch hour whether it's in the middle of your work or school day as an opportunity to have an adventure.

Why not? When we travel, lunch is a chance to explore a new culture, see something new, taste something new or meet someone new. When we're home we tend to just fall into a routine of doing the same exact thing during lunch, eating the same thing, or... gasp... eating at our desk. Oh dear, call the intervention squad! Now, the Human Performance Institute has long ago established that we are more productive and perform better if we take breaks so there is no need to expound on that.

The bottom line is, how do we do something new during our one-hour lunch window?

To answer this question, Artyom Avanesov created the Lunchbox so we decided to meet for lunch, of course! and get all the details.

First of all, what is Lunchbox App and who is it for? 

Download the app and you can post a lunch status letting everyone (using the app) know where you're going for lunch, others can click to join you and meet up at the stated lunch place. Is it just for the office workers looking to break the routine? Travelers wanting to meet up with locals or other travelers? Mommies with babies getting together for a lunch date? For art aficionados looking for a partner in crime to check out a new gallery during lunch hour? Umm... I think it's pretty clear that Lunchbox App is for everyone! Hey, we all have to eat right? 

We headed to a great lunch place right in the center of Amsterdam, Cafe de Jaren. It's always full and hopping for lunch with a nice mix of students, entrepreneurs, bloggers and suit types. Despite it's central location, this place remains undiscovered by tourists. In the summer by the way it's nice to arrive by boat via the canal. Just saying. 

{ Pictured: serious discussion about entrepreneurship, the future of travel and social networking in progress... Artyom on the right } A little bit about Artyom. He speaks Russian, once lived in a favela in Rio, is no stranger to China and pretty much feels at home in the world. He got the idea for the Lunchbox one fine day when his co-workers seemed to be either skipping lunch or eating at their desks.

During my internship my colleagues would often be busy during lunchtime and I would go out for lunch on my own. Walking around the financial district I would see other people eating their sandwich by themselves. So I thought; wouldn't it be great if there were an easy way for all of us to get together and enjoy lunch in good company?

Artyom thought of the lunches he had during his travels, when it was an opportunity to discover the culture, taste new delicacies and connect with people. And so...Lunchbox was born! Now, we always have new friends to meet at lunch.  

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{ Exotic fruits on the beach in Paraty, Brazil  ~ Chinese fish market ~ Family style lunch in China } 

{ Sangria, paella and friends! Perfect lunch Barcelona style. }

Speaking of lunches in exotic locales with exotic friends...why can't we continue lunching like we do when we are traveling?

Why can't it be a discovery for our taste buds when our cities are brimming with ethnic cuisine and lovely lunch spots to discover covering just about any culture! A chance to meet someone perhaps completely different and discover things you actually have in common. This happens all the time when we travel and does not need to stop.

--> Download the Lunchbox, and seek out an opportunity to be a #lunchtimetraveler. 

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{ Artyom practicing calligraphy in China ~  View from Artyom's pad in Rio's favela }

For me personally it was absolutely incredible to meet Artyom.

A fellow travel lover, promoter of living an inspired life and always discovering. Not to mention a fellow lunch enthusiast, who is not afraid of snapping a photo of the said delicious lunch. Currently the Lunchbox is very active in Utrecht and Amsterdam but wherever you are in the world do not be afraid to be the first one who posts a Lunch Box. Invite friends and ask them to invite their friends and soon we'll all be lunching all together! Thanks Artyom for helping us Live Like We're Traveling!

Artyom's Lunch Spot Recommendation:

The location of the world's first stock exchange! The remodeled building now houses space for events, work sharing space for entrepreneurs and a couple of cozy cafes. 

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Join us @livelikeyouretraveling for more #LunchtimeTraveler ideas! 

Take Us To Lunch: Porto Gazing with Vanessa & Joana of Dua2Por3, Portugal

Once in a while something happens that reassures you that you're on the right path in life. When it happens it's a really happy day, a day you draw inspiration from anytime doubts decide to come lurking.  I had that kind of a day when I arrived in Porto for a lunch date with two very talented women Vanessa and Joana of dua2por3, a creative design firm. Their company does illustration, pattern design, graphic design, info-graphics and packaging design. I first discovered their work by coming across a collection of notebooks they've designed depicting scenes of everyday life and culture of Portugal. Each notebook design is a visual story giving you clues about the heart and soul of that region, transforming the blank pages within into an invitation to visit and write down your own discoveries... I knew I wanted to know more about them, their work and of course why they want to share their country, Portugal, with the world.  

I traveled to Porto with three of my friends and a long weekend of "ladies at leisure" awaited us. My very first activity in Porto was to meet with Joana and Vanessa. Only in retro spec can my friends and I appreciate just how fortuitous that would be for our Porto experience. 

My partners in crime. 

• • •

Vanessa suggested we meet in front of Lello Bookstore,
which just so happens to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in the entire world! 

Vanessa came to meet me and my friend M, who joined me for my "work stuff."  She explained that Joana would be joining us later because she was showcasing her line of minimalist jewelry at a local artisan market and before that if we'd like we could take a walk and see some interesting parts of town. "Of course we would!"...screamed M and I a bit too aggressively. We quickly learned that Vanessa, besides owning a design company, is also an architect. She's a graduate of University of Porto, one of the oldest and prestigious Universities in Europe.

• • •

Which would explain how she knew so much about the beautiful tile clad facades
that made the city look cheerful even on this uncharacteristically dreary day.  

As we walked along the pedestrian street Rua de Cedofeita, Vanessa told us how she met her business partner Joana, at a design course. Joana herself comes from a Business and Marketing background but like Vanessa, she's passionate about all things design and out of this shared desire to practice more creativity, the two ladies joined forces in a venture merging their different skill sets to enrich their design practice.  

• • • 

Shortly after we turned to seemingly nondescript, rather narrow street called Rua de Miguel Bombarda. At first glance it didn't seem to hold much interest and we wondered why Vanessa decided to lead us away from the center towards this area. Then of course she started pointing out delectable little gems such as art galleries featuring local artists, delicious tiny boutiques with locally made goods, a hotel without a sign with a secret garden in the back that hosts performances. This magical street revealed to house many doors to hidden wonders. 

As Vanessa continued to tell us about these places we began to understand the spirit of Porto. A city full of inspiration, enthusiasm, creativity and locals who truly love and enjoy their city. It was a refreshing new view. Opposite to the grim news reports of economic decline of southern Europe and how seemingly the only thing to do is abandon ship leaving the region in search of work elsewhere. Porto was revealing itself as a city full of entrepreneurial energetic locals who are not focusing on negative predictions but instead are busy creating, discovering and building. No wonder the Univeristy of Porto's own incubator program UPTEC is a first place winner of Regio Stars award last year for smart growth. 

• • •
Just when we thought we've seen it all, we ducked inside a door into a spacious ultra modern space, a stark contrast to the rustic exteriors outside. Vanessa announced that this was Centro Comercial Bombarda, a shopping "mini-mall" with innovative local and international brands, few galleries, and funky cafes and restaurant or two. There is also a courtyard where you can sit and enjoy a long Portuguese lunch.   

• • • 
But we were not yet sitting down for lunch, we now headed to the market to meet up with Joana. In a modern courtyard at the end of Rua das Flores was a little oasis where artists and creators displayed their treasures. There were edible goods, decor, accessories, organic personal care products, clothes and more. Shopping there you could literally stock the entire house and wardrobe! 

Joana and Vanessa OF dua2por3 at Chocolateria das Flores

Joana turned out to also be just as friendly and sunny as Vanessa. Finally, now that I had the two ladies together I asked the question I've been wanting to ask them ever since coming across their Portugal inspired notebooks. Why? Why Portugal and why Porto? The girls glanced at each other before breaking into a chuckle. "Why? Well... because it's so NICE!" They elaborated by telling a story of how the idea was conceived. Upon finishing their course they won top spots in a design competition. To celebrate they went down to the waterside to enjoy some coffee and cake. It was sunny day, the view marvelous, coffee delicious as always sipped from a porcelain cup... and the idea stuck. Porto had something special! Everyone should come and experience it. It isn't about the historical monuments, or the UNESCO protected Ribeira neighborhood. But simply because of this intangible feeling of well being one gets from the simple act of sitting and drinking coffee overlooking the Duoro river... because it's so nice! 

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{ Wanderlust Notebooks }

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Thank you ladies for not only sharing Porto and Portugal with all of us through your inspired notebooks, but also for being true global neighbors and making me and my friends' weekend in Porto so much more meaningful!! 
 

JOANA AND VANESSA'S FAVORITES FOR PORTO:

Shop: Local creative brands along Rua Miguel Bombarda (See O Porto Cool photo reportage) 

Lunch Spot: Rota Do Cha' for an Indian/Japanese inspired lunch of Portuguese proportions. Sit in the wonderfully zen garden weather allowing. On your way out do pick up some delicious tea at their downstairs boutique. 

Afternoon pick me-up: Chocolateria das Flores for a real Parisian hot chocolate, yes the kind that tastes like a melted chocolate bar in a cup. Also try their artisanal bon bons... trust me. 

And there are more... The ladies surprised me with a whole list of places to eat, needless to say we dined like queens! Our culinary discovery of Porto however will be a post of its own!

• • •    LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

It's good to fall in love with new places, 
especially if they inspire you to fall in love with your own town. 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

Photo Credits: Lello Bookstore via Visitporto.travel, Gallery Hostel  via Hostel.com, Rua de Cedofeita via Housing Just Landed, Centro Comercial Bombarda Courtyard via Hioporto.com, Art in Centro Comercial Bombarda via Valencia Out.

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