The cousins’ trips

I have two sisters. When I was born, they were already here waiting for me. I grew up among them, listening to their stories, sharing their worries, and also following their decisions. When I was little, I often went along with them on their tours, holding their hands. I realize now that, for two girls their age, I might have been an inconvenient companion at times, though they never made me feel that way. On the contrary, my sisters patiently endured the obligation my mother imposed on them: to always take me along. From that time, I remember late afternoons on the beach in Santa Cruz or Sesimbra, someone playing the guitar in the distance, those notes blending with the sound of the waves. My sisters nearing the end of their adolescence and the day coming to an end as well, the long sunsets of the Portuguese summer. Now, those memories are somewhat vague – the outlines of the images are blurred – but, at the same time, they’re vivid, with bright colors.

Later on, each of my sisters had two daughters: four nieces to me. Women multiplied. My nieces are very different from one another, yet, when they’re together, there’s a harmony they share. Each one has her own personality, and yet, there’s a unique atmosphere that exists when they’re together. Perhaps recognizing this, they enjoy traveling together. I believe that, during those moments of discovering new places, they deepen the relationship they’ve had since one was born, then another, and another, and another.

The last place where they went on one of these cousins’ trips was Porto. I believe it wasn’t the first time they chose this destination, which isn’t a problem since this incredible city doesn’t run the risk of exhausting its appeal.

Two of my nieces are artists – one is a painter/ceramicist, the other a photographer/videographer – while the other two are avid consumers of art. Because of this, I know they visited the Serralves Foundation. I don’t recall which exhibitions they saw at the time, but I’m certain they must have experienced some of the most inspiring and sophisticated contemporary works, as this is the fundamental purpose and the guarantee of this institution. I believe they also visited the Serralves Park. At least, it’s very easy for me to imagine them there, strolling along the wooded paths and gardens that make up this 18-hectare space. When I picture my nieces in Serralves, I see them on a beautiful sunny day, which is also a strong possibility of what they actually had.

In the heart of the city, it’s also easy to imagine that they visited many of the excellent galleries that can be explored just by walking from one to another. Besides the many must-see places – the Lello Bookstore, the Casa da Música, and so many others – I believe my nieces chose the city of Porto also for its streets and promenades where, inevitably, as night falls, they find their way to the bars. Because now, they’re no longer the little girls I carried in my arms. Now, they’re women, and, to the great joy of the whole family, they’re still sharing all these moments together.