Dear friend,
In summer, one of my favorite ways to practice fyaka is through dining.
Especially when you have enough time to do the whole shebang.
Picture this.
It’s super hot and sunny. You’re on the terrace. The crickets are the background noise. Your phone is away, notifications silenced.
Talk about a perfect setup.
We bring out a grappa, the first one we want to try. A great start indeed.
My favorite is carob. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it. The smell overpowers the strong taste, and you’ve got a mouthful.
We start with marinated anchovies, covered with sea fennel, capers, and lots of olive oil.
I’ve got oregano I harvested and dried myself, so I decide at the last second to sprinkle it on top.
You dip the bread in that and pick up a little bit of everything. Olive oil dripping every which way. But you can lick your fingers.
Parallel to all that, I’ve got the fire going. The grill is getting ready.
The fire makes those crackling sounds. A perfect back vocal to the crickets.
As the appetizers keep disappearing, I put the fish on the grill and reach for the mandatory grilling drink: a glass of white wine. This is not about savoring the wine. It’s about replenishing what you sweat standing next to a grill. And there’s something extremely satisfying about sweating in 32°C / 90°F. Must be knowing the effort will result in a delicious meal.
I bring the fish over to the laughs of the group. More back vocals for the crickets.
The fish is perfectly cooked, if I dare say, now covered in olive oil, the ultimate Mediterranean seasoning.
And now we take time.
There’s no rush. We savor every moment.
The cricket concert will last. There’s no doubt about that.
Then comes the crescendo: I descend into the lounge chair and doze off in a minute.
The sweetest power nap setting in the world.
And as I close my eyes, I think: thank you, universe. This was simple and perfect.
Here’s the thing I want you to notice.
For those three hours, nobody reached for a phone.
Nobody wanted to be anywhere else.
Presence isn’t always something you sit still for. Sometimes you can taste it.
So this week, the invitation is delicious.
Pick one meal. Clear enough time, cook slow, eat slower, and let the nap happen.
This Week’s Cue to Pause
You deserve a three-hour food fyaka break.
Truly yours, this moment.
Armando