#2410 | from Brooklyn to Portugal

snippets from the past six weeks of back-to-back-to-back travels in New York, Porto, Lisbon, Olhão, ending in Miami, and finally back home in Los Angeles.

Oct 27, 2024

I know I say this every entry, but really… just how is time flying so quickly?

Since we last spoke, I’ve gone on what feels like a bit of a world tour — I went to New York to produce a 3-day-long event that took guests to the respective venues via land, air, and sea. For dinner, we ate at Torrisi and Casa Cipriani, and enjoyed cognac tastings from Louis XIII. On the last day, we went to Jersey by boat, and it was the closest I’ve ever been to the Statue of Liberty. It was, truly, a stunning sight.

I extended my stay so I could see some old friends in Brooklyn; I started off at Prima in Clinton Hill — Daryl & Anita’s café and wine bar, which was such a full circle moment to see come to fruition, considering I met Anita at a Brooklyn café called Second Stop where I worked as a barista as a teenager, and Daryl at my next job, serving at The Fat Radish. We spent the rest of the day, and evening, at Rhodora — where I was so enamored by the Wagyu Hot Dogs that I came back the next day for more (when in NY, right?) I’ve also not been able to get the Tiramisu ice cream from Evelina off my mind. My last day was spent in Prospect Park with Mriga and friends, where we enjoyed mojito slushies from Habana Outpost. Chef’s kiss, all around.

Then I took off to Portugal to meet up with my Mom, who is currently scouting where to live in her newly-arrived-upon retirement stage of life; we started off in Porto, then Lisbon, then Olhão, and a couple weeks later, I flew out of Faro, leaving her to continue on to Morocco, France, and Italy solo. What a time! So many tiles, salted fish, and STEPS! Boy, did I get my steps in there.

Then, finally, I wrapped my very own friends & fam tour, in Miami, where I was celebrating my cousin’s birthday and new baby, alongside my Aunt, a couple other cousins, and some of her college friends. Lastly, I got to see my friend Sapier, who also lives - and thrives - there now. After a fun and food-filled month of traveling, I was feeling full of life; yet ready to get home, see my man, and plop down on my couch. Which is exactly where I’ve been since getting back a couple weeks ago… which I guess answers my previous question about where all the time goes.

Nonetheless, we aren’t here to talk about my estranged relationship with time, or even about my travels… we’re here to discuss the random little learnings, things I’ve overheard, and what I’ve over-thought about these past couple months. See below for a round-up of the things I just had to share with you…

Firstly, as someone who is (not-so-)secretly introverted, I found myself a bit nervous to dive back into my old NY life, but I learned one very important thing… socializing with loved ones can be as simple as sharing your location for the day! It hadn’t ever occurred to me before, until Anita dropped me her pin while roaming around Brooklyn. I couldn’t figure out if it was that little 21st-century hack, or a city I deeply love to blame, but I followed suit and had the best day of drop-ins from old friends.

The students in Portugal wear all-black cloaks as their academic uniforms. The world must know about this fashionable, egalitarian tradition. One that began nearly 500 years ago — these uniforms are referred to as the capa e batina, and are much more stylish than our American logo-stamped college sweaters, in my opinion.

My mind was on it’s usual overactive mode, and my Mom suggested I read Gordon MacKenzie’s “Orbiting the Giant Hairball”. One chapter in the book simply read:

“Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.”

Also while in Portugal (haha, ok fine! I guess this is about my travels after all), I observed several neighborhoods with a series of portraits near the doors of buildings. Turns out this series, started by photographer Camilla Watson, is her way of paying a tribute to, and preserving the community of mostly elder home-owners in the area.

While I’m admitting that this is more about my travels than I originally suspected, can we talk about — what is really good with Google Maps? Like, what is actually good about it? For it to be the universal map system, it certainly leaves a lot to be desired. This is something thats irked my Mom and I for ages… so much so that she once hired a coder to try and develop her own method of saving locations for future use. Who knows maybe we’ll be map magnates, but until then, any suggestions? (If so, please comment below!) I’ve started using Steps in the meantime, but am not sure about it.

For those curious about Portugal, here are my recommendations for places to stay: Baixa House in Lisbon, it’s brand new sister property: Massarelos House in Porto, and this Airbnb if venturing out to the quaint fishertown of Olhão. If you happen to be on Steps, here’s my full list (including, a not to be missed meal at Chá Chá Chá).

I may have mentioned this before, but while in Miami, I ran into a friend that recently published a book called “The Shut the Fu*k Up Method”. Which, as is titled, suggests to well, simply, STFU — it explains that complaining is essentially a behavioral addiction, and we’re basically all addicts spoiling the pleasures of our own lives. This was a necessary lesson when I first read it, and seeing him again provided a bit of a divine reminder to this universal truth.

After all, victory is not in what you possess, it’s in what you perceive. Amen.

Also while in Miami, I was reminded about just how pleasant a stroll on the beach actually is. Living in Cali, I really should make it out to the ocean more, but I swear something about that Florida sand really seemed to get right in there and crack all the little muscles in my feet as I took each step. A free foot massage provided by the beach was the exact release I needed after all that schlepping around. Who knew?

On a related, unrelated note… check out this link for more on the process of the architect who designed several of Miami Beach’s most iconic lifeguard towers.

I learned an interesting new word / concept — “prosody” — defined as: the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry; or the patterns of stress and intonation in a language. In lamens terms, it’s how you say what you say with your tone, volume, pitch, pace, etc. Essentially everything about speech other than the words.

Speaking of body language, this week while scrolling, I stumbled upon an interview in which Vybz Kartel explains that the hit TV show Gossip Girl was actually the inspiration for his single “Fever”, and this makes me happy. “XOXO // My love is very special // If you want it, you could have it // But don’t take me for granted.” Big tune.

Back in LA, I’ve happily returned to my routines, which (less happily) also happen to include some paradoxes I’ve felt conflicted about lately. For example, while I was on a hike around Elysian the other day (yay!), I noticed a sign on the park’s gate. Upon further investigation, it was a notice that West Nile virus has been confirmed in the area (definitely not yay). We only have nine days left to the US Election (scary times). And, naturally, the smog has been smogging (but even at night, lately!) for an aesthetically aligned lead-up to Halloween, in just a few days.

Until then, be safe, have fun, and talk soon! xO (…XO 🎶)

mixed feelings

Discussion about this post