Drawing inspiration from Davydd Greenwood’s “Culture by the Pound,” this chapter delves into tourism development from an introspective viewpoint. Based on my 13 years of living and working in Lisbon, I have crafted four vignettes from fragmented memories to explore the evolu- tion of tourism with poignant emotions as it became interwoven into everyday life. Reflecting on my experiences, I provide an analysis of informal development, which arises from a grassroots perspective when tourism occurs spontaneously and without management. Local residents utilized existing resources for tourism purposes, shaping their own tourist activities. Ultimately, I underscore the significance of examining tourism development beyond structured planning and acknowledging its organic growth and transformation.