I haven't laughed this much since I last got high, I think. One of my favorite sisters is in town (I have 10 other favorites though) and all we do is stir up feelings. I thought they'd be negative; it's easy to get lost in memories. With her, everything is hilarious. Everything is fun.
We took a trip from Brussels to Milan together and didn't do much. It felt like everything. We flew into the wrong airport; a budget one that's an hour from town. I'm pretty sure the passengers on the bus in would have paid to shut us up; all we did was laugh. Instead of an Uber from the bus stop to the hotel, we decided to walk. Have I ever mentioned that my favorite people in the world love to walk?
It was late when we clattered off. Around 1 am or so. It made me happy; there’s magic in a new town’s night. The streets are muted; if you listen carefully, you can hear the soul buzzing under the yellow lights. Odd strangers wander about. I never avoid them, it’s their territory I impose myself on and not the other way around. We arrived at the hotel and crashed; a good omen before a good day.
We tried waking up early. It's hard to do when you feel so good. My sister filled up on an American style breakfast and as I groggily sipped an uncharacteristically un-Italian coffee. We left the hotel and did my favorite things again. We walked through town and walked and walked till our bellies ached from laughing and eating fruit we picked up in supermarkets along the way. We snacked on oozing figs, soft concorde grapes, and slightly overripe avocados. My only Italian friend recommended gelato so we found ourselves walking there by the end of the day.
Have you ever tried a savory ice cream? The gelato shop had a pistachio/sea salt/olive oil one made of dreams. It was smooth and sweet and tasted like someone grabbed the salt by mistake. Somehow it worked. We went back for seconds and almost took thirds. One day, I'll probably fly back to Milan just for that; and use seeing my friend as the excuse.
After hours of walking, we went back to switch hotels and immediately went on another walk again. This time, to find real food. We walked and walked until we stumbled into a private restaurant. The Argentinian owner offers private dinners for business meetings, marriage proposals, cheaters, and anyone else who wants. Imagine the stories he must have overheard. We stayed there for an hour, chatting about food and laughing about everything I can't remember anymore. For a moment, I wished for a private dinner restaurant experience. His place looked so pretty, so inviting, so different and so good.
We tore ourselves away to find another restaurant down the block. No one was inside, at the tables or by the counter. We walked to the kitchen passing by dark green walls with assorted china hanging off them and found the chef. Of course we're open! He proclaimed with his lovely, looping Italian accent. We were seated by the hostess who magically appeared. I realized that somehow we were about to have the private dining experience I just dreamed about. Little wishes do come true.
I didn't want the day to end; I wanted to keep laughing, keep walking. The best part about sisters is they're always around. They were there with my sad days and they're back during the happy ones. Maybe that's why we laugh so much. Being around each other reminds us of the tangibility of life. It's going to keep going, so why not laugh?
Great piece, Yehudis! And this: “We went back for seconds and almost took thirds. One day, I'll probably fly back to Milan just for that; and use seeing my friend as the excuse.” made me laugh out loud. Glad you had a great time in my city, but then again you would have had a great time in any city, with your sister.
Love this article❤️. It made me smile. So happy you had a fun time with one of your favorite sisters.