#33. we give thanks
things we shouldn't take for granted, Turin, Alta Langa, white truffles, the best t-bone, another birthday revolution, burger of the burgers
Although I started learning American English when I was around 5 years old, I never celebrated Thanksgiving. However, I have always cherished the memories of what I learned about the event and American culture when the world was still new to me.
I always loved the idea behind Thanksgiving and the feeling of gratitude surrounding the season, though. Additionally, being a Scorpio sun person, my own personal season is November and autumn, so the whole month has always had a special significance for me.
Being someone who fosters gratitude every day in my life, I always take this festive period to remember - or better - acknowledge people and things that are vital in my existence.
This feeling intensified as I had a very special birthday celebration this year. I went to the Italian region of Piemonte to indulge myself in the warmness of friendship and white truffles, bringing the concept of slow travel to another level at Cascina Facelli.
Located in Bossolasco, in the heart of Alta Langa, it’s a country house that allowed me to reconnect with the earth and its healthier, albeit more laborious, rhythms.
Surrounded by vineyards, the stunning Italian autumnal landscape, rustic and luxury interior design and a gourmet breakfast, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate another year of life. Not only because it’s really a special spot, but because it manifests my own personal values.
Therefore, the travel and celebration I had truly translated the experience I envision. And I had the best of the gifts: loving every corner and angle of what I’m becoming.
If I have a word for 2023, it’s definitely slow: slow fashion, slow travel, slow food. Not by chance I also visited Bra, the capital of the slow food movement.
I actually started the celebrations many, many days before, doing what I love the most: being with the people I care about, having the food I love, in the places I completely adore.
I’ve been doing this ritual for years, and the joyful results of this are pretty decent.
At the end of the day, it's the people we share our moments with that truly matter. Although it may sound like a cliche, it is undoubtedly true. Therefore, I express my gratitude towards community, which can take many forms, such as family, close friends, acquaintances, colleagues, best friends, neighbours, a tribe, soul sisters, or anyone you consider to be a part of your inner circle that enriches your everyday experiences.
I once read this:
“For the Earth
And The Rain
And The Sun
We Give Thanks
For The Plants
And The Animals
We Give Thanks
For The Hard Work
Of The Farmer
The Grocery Store
Worker And The Cook
We Give Thanks
For The Beauty
Of The Flowers
And The Light
Of The Candles
We Give Thanks
For Each Member
Of Our Family
We Give Thanks.” - Leah Spacer
Which translates all my philosophy and sense of gratitude for a whole chain of things that cheer me up. It always starts with the Creation of the Universe, each planet, and how everything is interconnected and in alignment.
Then to each part of nature to every fundamental individual that gives form to those things we hold ourselves into: the restauranter that decided to take a risk and ended up creating the heartiest meal you ever had, the artist with painful experiences that gave birth to that song you listen to daily and function as a channel for your own inner demons, the independent shop we can’t live without selling you all things you need and don’t need, the farmer who, hot or cold, brings food to your table and that barista who wake up early to serve a flat white with heart-shaped foam to help you start your day. For the sun and the moon that is there, e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y.
For the opposite poles - remembering light can’t exist without dark - and, how come not, beauty - thanking Venus for existing, allowing us to indulge in a hedonist existence.
In summary, they are those little things that sparkle our days that we don’t even realise how we take them for granted. As the year comes to an end, let’s remember, on Thanksgiving and not only, to not take those things for granted.
We give them thanks.
I’m absolutely in love with Quality Chop House, which has been cooking exceptional food since 1869. I’m surprised I decided to give them a chance only now. Famous menu choices include the Hereford bone-in sirloin and the Confit potatoes. One of the most original London restaurants I’ve been to, with an interior that resembles more of a Florentine trattoria! They also have a famous cookbook to purchase in-house.
My favourite hamburger house won the #3 position in the top best of the world. Bleecker is having, again, its moment, and from today, for a limited time only, you can also order the epic salted pretzel milkshake.
Talking about burgers, Lagom, located in the Hackney Church Brew Co., offers one of the best in town, with a varied menu for meat lovers, in an industrial and very East Londonish aspect. As the name suggests, it has its Scandi influences!
Chop lovers, attention! Blacklock is another great find for the best of the steaks. With branches in the City, Shoreditch, Soho, Covent Garden and Canary Wharf, I highly suggest ordering the pig’s head on toast and the garlic marrow spread.
The Tamil Prince changed my mind about Indian food. Now, they just opened a gastropub with an Indian accent. The Tamil Crown is located in Angel, Islington, bringing the classic okra fries and chicken lollipops to the mouth-watering menu.
Otras cositas más..
Oli The Label is the new slow fashion brand I’m obsessed with. Olivia was a costume designer in the film industry for years and now has her own brand designing classic wrap dresses and creating limited collections with a strong fabric story. She made to order my birthday dress this year, and I couldn’t be more grateful and happy with the result!
“Just tell the truth. That’ll be better than anything else that's been written about me.”—Kurt Cobain to author Michael Azerrad, now revamping his original book written in 1993 about the band to bring new material. The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana is now available for pre-order.
If you’re in Camden Town and want to celebrate the worldwide party of the 30th anniversary of In Utero from Nirvana, visit the mural unveiled to mark this special occasion. It’s located at Stucley Place just off Camden High Street.
If you ever visit Torino (Turin), the Piemonte capital in Italy, add to your list the San Salvario quarter. Not well known by tourists (yet!), it brings a unique atmosphere to this beloved Italian city, full of independent boutiques and many bars. Book a table at Madama Piola, my favourite dining experience in the country this time! The homemade gnocchi with ragu was made in heaven and is one of the reasons I keep coming back to Italia.
x, NB