João Manuel Serra - Lisboa, Portugal
Posted by: RuiJSDuarte
N 38° 44.008 W 009° 08.720
29S E 487368 N 4287209
João Manuel Serra, "The Man that says goodbye" or "The Saldanha Man", was a gentle and kind man that spent many hours saying goodbye to those driving by Saldanha plaza.
Waymark Code: WMTZ0M
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Date Posted: 01/26/2017
Views: 3
"Usually, he come to this famous Lisbon Square, just to say goodbye to everyone that pass by in the street. Some thought he was a crazy man but, after a short talk, everyone could know how humble and wise person João was.
A rich but lonely man, he created this habit of being there, in Saldanha Square, every single night, just to wave and say goodbye, bringing a smile to the ones passing by.
[There were two geocaches in this area, that made the Geocachers contact with João. The first was a traditional one, [O Homem que diz Adeus] and afterwards there was a Mystery one [O Homem que diz Adeus v2] where it was necessary to take a picture with João to log it. Everyone that found it, have nothing to regret about it. Not only he was everytime available to take pictures, but also to talk a bit."]
João physically said goodbye to city of Lisbon for the last time at the age of 79, in 2010.
(adapted from (
visit link)
Now, with the renewal of the plaza, the city decided to honor João with this plaque, alluding to the spot where he used to be, always with a smile!