Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
October 29, 2020
Born and raised in Germany, actress and author Pia Mechler moved to the United States about a decade ago. Currently she stars alongside Patrick Dempsey on The CW’s “Devils,” which tackles the cutthroat world of finance. Based out of Brooklyn, the actress said once this pandemic is over, she would like to travel to Australia. “My great-grandfather was Australian and legend has it that he founded the first Australian soap factory in Queensland. I have to get to the bottom of this myth, while seeing some koala bears on the way.” Fans may follow Mechler on Instagram.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: There is the German word, fernweh, roughly translated as longing for the far. Once a year fernweh hits me for Japan. I first traveled there as a kid with my father, who was a flight captain for a big German airline. I was lucky to have seen many exotic destinations already at a young age, but Japan took my breath away. It’s a culture clash between the hyper-modern and the extremely traditional. I have loved it ever since and I cannot wait to travel there again. My last trip was four years ago.
Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor. My husband and I once did a road trip from Dubrovnik (Croatia) to said bay. I remember we found a wild fig tree overlooking the bay and just helped ourselves to the delicious fruit while staring at the turquoise water and smelling the salty pine-infused air.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?
A: Since my father was a pilot and half my family (was) scattered around the world, I was lucky enough to travel much and early. Best education a child can get. However, we used to have a vacation home at the Algarve in Portugal, where we went every summer. I have lots of memories from that time. Small beaches surrounded by rough, yellow rocks and cliffs. Fresh Portuguese marzipan, beautifully decorated. The vibrant open-air fish market on a little dirt patch in the middle of the village. Hand-painted blue tiles, the smell of sardines grilled on charcoal by the port. The Algarve slowly turned into a tourist magnet for European travelers and that village changed with it. But my childhood memories will forever stay with me and my love for Portugal remains.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: Since I have been living in New York for the past 10 years, we always try to stay within the surrounding area. I love Shelter Island. It’s such a magical little place. The ferry ride over seems to put one into a different mindset.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: Christmas usually means going to Germany. I apologize for any hurt feelings in advance, but there is no more magical place for Christmas than Germany. There are thousands of beautiful Christmas markets that offer seasonal foods and hand-crafted items and Germans take their Christmas and Advent traditions very seriously.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I speak German, English, Danish and French, (with) the level of excellence declining with order. My Mom’s first language is Spanish and if I am drunk or forced, I might be able to get a Spanish word out, too. I tend to pick up languages quite easily, but only superficially. I can probably order food in many other languages, but that’s the most important thing, right?
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: New York for its vibrancy and capability to reinvent itself. Tokyo, because I am gasping throughout. Paris, for part of my family living there and also macrons and cheese. Rome (because) I have lived there while working and it is ancient and intense. Athens. Greek people just know how to enjoy life.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: I am addicted to matcha and you cannot find it everywhere. So I bring the whole set – the bowl, whisk (and) tea. And contact lens solution, because it would be a shame to travel and not see.
© 2020 JAE-HA KIM
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