Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
September 27, 2022
Born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania, Paige Spara currently lives in Vancouver, where she films the ABC medical series “The Good Doctor” — which kicks off its sixth season on October 3. Her character, Lea Dilallo, is the head of a hospital’s Information Technology department and is married to Shaun Murphy – an autistic doctor played by Freddie Highmore.
“She’s the kind of person who strives to do good in the world and be there for the people she loves,” said Spara, 33. “Lea would make an excellent travel partner, if you enjoy impulsive adventures and are down to do anything and everything in a day. I’d travel with her.”
Q: This pandemic has made everyone think differently about how we spend our free time. What have you been up to?
A: I spend way more time enjoying the people I love than living through my phone, that’s for sure. I actually spent three months in Mexico during the pandemic (since) I was already there. Later (I) returned to my childhood home in Washington. I recently took my momma to Italy, because she hadn’t been there yet. We adventured without a care in the world, taking it all in. To be utmost present while adventuring with the people I love is something I strive for more than ever, especially after the pandemic.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Currently, my favorite destination is Ravello, Italy, on the Amalfi Coast. I would suggest you roam the city and enjoy a meal from one of the mom-and-pop restaurants. I loved seeing the Italian families coming together to prepare a meal as they served it with such generous love and pride. I loved being in their company. Their energy was so happy, free and kind.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?
A: One of the first major trips I took as a child was to New York City with my mom. It felt more like home to me than my childhood home.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: Traveling makes you live life so presently that you are made aware of how much joy you can actually experience in a day.
Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?
A: Food trucking is fine dining to me, so I’m happy with either.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: Right now, I’m living in Vancouver, so my favorite getaways are the ones I take with (co-star) Noah Galvin. We try to find epic Airbnbs. It has to be on the water with a hot tub. We pick a recipe and cook for one another and talk for hours. It’s my favorite pastime when I’m here.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: I go home to Washington every single Christmas to spend time with my family and nieces. They are six and three. It’s nonstop Christmas movies, baking, cooking and sleepovers with a fire. It never ceases to amaze me how happy it makes me to go home for Christmas.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I absolutely try my hardest to learn new languages and failed French three times in my life and still keep trying to train my ear and tongue to learn. It’s very difficult for me.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: My phone charger, phone and Kindle are my must-haves.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: I’ve always wanted to take a few months off and just travel freely (in Europe). Get a villa somewhere in Italy on the water where my friends and family are under one roof together.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Thinking I can eat pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then getting upset the next day when I have to spend time locating a pharmacy for Tums.
Q: What is your best vacation memory?
A: I convinced my mom to jump in the sea at the Amalfi Coast. She’s afraid of water and traveling, so to see her feel bliss and growth when she overcame those fears at 63 is something I’ll carry with me forever.
© 2022 JAE-HA KIM
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