Meet Christine Chitnis | Writer, Photographer, Author of Patterns of India, and, most recently, Patterns of Portugal

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine Chitnis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
To me, work life balance is all about prioritizing. I’m lucky to have a really supportive husband, and we’re very aligned on our priorities. We both travel a lot for work, but family is equally important to us, so we’re always happy to support each other. Now that my three kids are in school every day, I try to use the weekdays to write and work. It doesn’t always look perfect, but it really is just about prioritizing things that are important to us like family, health, wellness, and taking care of ourselves and engaging with our community

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started out as a freelance writer and photographer for local publications in Rhode Island and around New England. It wasn’t glamorous work but I loved connecting with the local community. I did that for many years, all while raising my three young kids, before working my way into larger, national publications. I’ve spent the past 15 years honing my skills and I think once I realized that editors want a great story as much as you do as a writer, I really let go of my fear and began pitching my dream publications. Being communicative, collaborative (and meeting your deadline) go a long way.

Now I contribute to outlets like Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, The New York Times, Elle, and more. I primarily focus on travel writing, but I also work with clients on book press and proposals. I have a line of puzzles, fine art prints, and I’m really proud of my two books, Patterns of India, which came out in 2020, and Patterns of Portugal, which just released earlier this year. Both books highlight two stunning countries and the history, traditions, and people that make them so special, but they’re also very personal to me. I was deeply influenced by my husband Vijay’s familial connection to India and Portugal. This intimate yet universal perspective is what I hope is reflected in my books.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I certainly have a lot of recommendations, but if I had a friend visiting Lisbon I would want to leave time for wandering–stumbling upon picturesque views and cafes around every corner is what makes the city so special. Here are a few of my recommendations if you’re in Lisbon for a week:

The National Tile Museum: A must-visit for anyone who wants to geek out over tiles! I would recommend visiting at the beginning of the trip so that you have some historical context for the amazing tiles you’ll encounter while walking around the city.

My top three recommendations for high-end dining include Prado (the restaurant is fine dining, but the market is great for coffee and a nibble), VDB Bistronomie, and my absolute favorite, Senhor Uva (my favorite place for solo dining and grabbing a glass of natural wine).

Comida Independente: If you’re looking to get some artisanal produce, meat, cheeses, or wines sourced from different regions of the country, this is an incredible market. Shop for a picnic or find some shelf stable items for souvenirs.

Pastéis De Belém: I avoided this spot for a while because it appears on every tourist’s “must-do” guide, but after finally visiting on my last trip, I totally understood the hype. They’re known for their famous Portuguese egg tart, pastéis de nata. They come out warm, straight from the oven, and oh my gosh, they live up to their reputation. Grab your pastry, then cross the underpass to the riverfront and walk down to the MAAT Museum, which is a stunning modern architectural site nearby.

A Vida Portuguesa: A one-stop homage to local craftsmanship, all centered around traditional Portuguese craft. It’s an absolutely fantastic place for gorgeous soaps, kitchen goods, ceramics, paper goods, textiles and so much more. There are locations in Chiado and Intendente, as well as a stunning concept shop, Depozito, in Mercado da Ribeira.

Neighborhoods for wandering: Alfama is one of the few areas that survived the devastating earthquake in 1755, making it one of the oldest neighborhoods in Europe. Visit Sé de Lisboa Cathedral and Castelo de São Jorge with all the tourists before ditching the map and getting lost among the narrow medieval streets with stunning lookout points, beautifully tiled buildings, and traditional homes, It’s the ideal place to listen to Fado, a popular Portuguese music genre, born in the streets of Lisbon.

Feira da Ladra: a typical flea market that takes place in Campo da Santa Clara, near Panteão Nacional in Alfama, every Tuesday and Saturday morning. The ideal entrance is by Arco de São Vicente where the famous 28 tram stops.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This book wouldn’t have been possible without the warm hospitality and generosity of all of the people I met during my travels throughout Portugal. Hospitality seems to be at the core of what it means to be Portuguese, and everywhere I went I was met with delicious meals, personal tours of artist studios, and stories of daily life in Portugal shared over home cooked dinners. And of course, as previously mentioned, I am immensely grateful for the support I receive from my family.

Website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708349/patterns-of-portugal-by-christine-chitnis/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christine.chitnis/

Other: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/589697/patterns-of-india-by-christine-chitnis/

Image Credits
Christine Chitnis