When my sister announced that she and her family would be moving to Palermo a year ago, I had mixed feelings. Selfishly, I realized I’d lose my go-to place to stay in New York. But my initial concerns quickly gave way to excitement for her new adventure.

Months after their move, a friend suggested we visit them to celebrate my birthday. I thought, Why not? So, we booked a flight from Geneva to Palermo on EasyJet.

Embracing the Disorder

Their house was a 20-minute walk from the beach—but with the state of the streets, it often felt much longer. Piles of garbage sometimes blocked the sidewalks, forcing us to cross the road, where cars rarely yielded to pedestrians.

Yet, I enjoyed it. It reminded me of New Delhi, where life flowed at a different rhythm, where chaos and unpredictability are part of the experience. Coming from Switzerland, with its near-sterile order, this vibrant disorder felt like a true escape. I realized how much I missed imperfection.

But once you get past the obstacles, you start noticing stunning architectures, framed by lush greenery and bursts of color. Italians seem to have an innate sense of aesthetics—whether in furniture, fashion, cars, or architecture, there’s a deep appreciation for form and design.

Sicilian Simplicity

Having a Sicilian brother-in-law gave us an authentic local experience. To me, the locals seemed to find joy in what truly matters: good company, good food, and of course, a good laugh.

Food is always a highlight of my travels, and in Palermo, I ate more than ever. Dishes I would have hesitated to try in the past—like raw shrimp and sea urchins—became delicacies I couldn’t get enough of. My favorite? Pasta with sea urchins I had in a small fishing village just on the outskirts of Palermo. I could eat it endlessly.

The simplicity of the dishes reinforced the idea of going back to basics. With minimal embellishment, Sicilian cuisine relies on the freshness of local ingredients, allowing the natural flavors to take over. The pride locals take in their regional products made me reflect on the places I’ve lived and how each culture expresses itself through food.

Although I had to work during my stay (the price of running my own business), we still found time to explore the city and spend long afternoons at the beach. Growing up in Lisbon, the sea has always held a special place in my heart. In Mondello, I felt a familiar connection to the vibrant coastal life of my childhood in Portugal.

Finding the Thread

Over the years, I’ve developed my own way of navigating new environments. I look for the familiar threads that connect seemingly disparate cultures. Perhaps it’s a survival mechanism honed during my nomadic upbringing. But at our core, we all share the same human experience—a longing for love, connection, and the simple joys of life.