Very nicely done. Such a light surface, but so much going on underneath, some of it too dark to look at for more than an instant. (True of both Rome and your excellent piece.)
So many shiny gems, including: "the kaftan . . . a bright, extravagant affair that will end up hanging in the part of your closet you’ve designated for 'special occasions'—so special that they never come."
Very funny Sophia. As a big time world traveler I have made, I think, every mistake you outline and quite a few more. Let's not forget eating something very wrong, or falling asleep on a train to find yourself very far from your destination. Thanks
Tks. My point is if you visited Rome every decade the experience changes massively, eg no cars now in central Rome but an exception to prove the rule is the Bruno experience will remain timeless. The cats have gone from Argentina too 🐱 like your work. A red 🌹 for that
Hi, Sophia, I watched you and Chris today and I am the person who said this: "You may be surprised. You are a charmer!" I couldn't figure out a way to DM you via Chat (threads were closed on Charles Simic's passing, e.g.) but I wanted to tell you that everything you said on that live video about how Substack is working and why those who are not the so-called "famed" and those who are! are finding a home here. You struck a core with me. Your explanations exactly described why I'm here as a literary memoir and fiction writer and teacher. All best and xx ~ Mary
So glad I found a way to get a message to you. One of my other thoughts that I posted during the "live" was that I'm coming to this thought: Substack may become the new "literary" magazine. And I'm someone who's so-called "career" began in that world --and even have a new piece coming out in Iron Horse Literary Review. But the wait times are torturous, those who read the mags are more and more only writers who are trying to break into what now seems like a fortress, with gatekeepers who are, in fact, not actually finding as many remarkable new voices as they once did. Examples: Faulkner, Saroyan, Malamud and others as I once argued here in this post that maybe needs to be updated: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/literary-magazines-why-bother-lagniappe Again xx whether you read the post or not ...
Jealous of your first paragraph, Sophia! English allows phrases to flow on elegantly, while long phrases in French, Dutch, or German become heavy and complicated. Great text, thank you. It threw me right back into the 6 weeks we lived in Rome last year, with a similar mixture of love and deception. But isn't that part of love?
“As is the case with love affairs, the romance of a vacation dies in logistics.”
What a great line and so true! Reminds me of our trip to the Town of Mykonos (Chora). We reserved a table on the water to watch the magical sunset. When the time came for photos just as the sun sat on the edge of the world, the wind picked up fiercely and our table, perfectly perched for sunset viewing, was swarmed with Instagramers posing every which way, blocking our view. Who knew? We eventually got a decent photo but the sunset lost a little of its magic that day.
Ah yes, Mykonos has become something else--Amalfi actually reminded me of it. I remember the time before cell phones there. It is a magical place, which is why it has become what it has become, but every time I go now, esp in the Chora, I am reminded of the traffic of New York rather than the peace of a Greek island! Try Folegandros or Anafi next time! ;)
Great tip. I will look into those places, hoping there’s a next time. Loved so much about Greece, we toured a lot of history there. And the Amalfi coast is another love!
Thanks for the ride. Lean, clean, brilliant, witty writing. Returning home is the only sad thing.
g
❤️❤️❤️
Very nicely done. Such a light surface, but so much going on underneath, some of it too dark to look at for more than an instant. (True of both Rome and your excellent piece.)
Brilliant and true. But I have decided the trick to many great trips is minimal planning, not more…
So many shiny gems, including: "the kaftan . . . a bright, extravagant affair that will end up hanging in the part of your closet you’ve designated for 'special occasions'—so special that they never come."
Thank you!
Yes, everyone knows something about me that I don’t. Truth.
Very funny Sophia. As a big time world traveler I have made, I think, every mistake you outline and quite a few more. Let's not forget eating something very wrong, or falling asleep on a train to find yourself very far from your destination. Thanks
“You must be spooked once to have experienced a city” -- best travel advice I have ever read.
Love this. Clarity and voice.
An ideal format for travel writing. Wide, intent, vivid. Just a joy to read from start to finish.
You are very kind, thank you
banger
❤️
Terrific first line! I need to read more of this when I have time.
Wondering how you would record a trip to Italy if made in your second decade
I was there last 23 years ago. I was too busy having fun to notice anything.
Tks. My point is if you visited Rome every decade the experience changes massively, eg no cars now in central Rome but an exception to prove the rule is the Bruno experience will remain timeless. The cats have gone from Argentina too 🐱 like your work. A red 🌹 for that
“When did such invitations become bittersweet?” Like so many lines in this piece, this one says so much, so sweetly. ♥️
Hi, Sophia, I watched you and Chris today and I am the person who said this: "You may be surprised. You are a charmer!" I couldn't figure out a way to DM you via Chat (threads were closed on Charles Simic's passing, e.g.) but I wanted to tell you that everything you said on that live video about how Substack is working and why those who are not the so-called "famed" and those who are! are finding a home here. You struck a core with me. Your explanations exactly described why I'm here as a literary memoir and fiction writer and teacher. All best and xx ~ Mary
Thank you, Mary!!! ❤️❤️❤️
So glad I found a way to get a message to you. One of my other thoughts that I posted during the "live" was that I'm coming to this thought: Substack may become the new "literary" magazine. And I'm someone who's so-called "career" began in that world --and even have a new piece coming out in Iron Horse Literary Review. But the wait times are torturous, those who read the mags are more and more only writers who are trying to break into what now seems like a fortress, with gatekeepers who are, in fact, not actually finding as many remarkable new voices as they once did. Examples: Faulkner, Saroyan, Malamud and others as I once argued here in this post that maybe needs to be updated: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/literary-magazines-why-bother-lagniappe Again xx whether you read the post or not ...
Jealous of your first paragraph, Sophia! English allows phrases to flow on elegantly, while long phrases in French, Dutch, or German become heavy and complicated. Great text, thank you. It threw me right back into the 6 weeks we lived in Rome last year, with a similar mixture of love and deception. But isn't that part of love?
“As is the case with love affairs, the romance of a vacation dies in logistics.”
What a great line and so true! Reminds me of our trip to the Town of Mykonos (Chora). We reserved a table on the water to watch the magical sunset. When the time came for photos just as the sun sat on the edge of the world, the wind picked up fiercely and our table, perfectly perched for sunset viewing, was swarmed with Instagramers posing every which way, blocking our view. Who knew? We eventually got a decent photo but the sunset lost a little of its magic that day.
Ah yes, Mykonos has become something else--Amalfi actually reminded me of it. I remember the time before cell phones there. It is a magical place, which is why it has become what it has become, but every time I go now, esp in the Chora, I am reminded of the traffic of New York rather than the peace of a Greek island! Try Folegandros or Anafi next time! ;)
Great tip. I will look into those places, hoping there’s a next time. Loved so much about Greece, we toured a lot of history there. And the Amalfi coast is another love!