It began with three open windows. Mea chose one, Lu Cia another, and Colombine immediately wanted to know where the tea would be made. Soon they were furnishing a flat they had never entered. Some agreements come surprisingly easily when travelling.
Illustrated fiction inspired by original Travel2City photographs. The places come from separate journeys, not a one-day itinerary. Characters, dialogue, props and some composition and lighting are artistic interpretations.
Beneath Budva’s stone facade, Colombine pointed to an open shutter. “The table would go there.” Mea chose the neighbouring window, for the light, she said. Lu Cia wanted the highest one because it must see a little more. All three stood in the street, each with a furnished room already in mind. Then laundry rustled somewhere above. Their imaginary flat apparently included a laundry room. Colombine admitted that would be useful for a longer stay.
In Cetinje, their idea of home acquired a garden. Colombine opened her hand towards the white facade and solemnly welcomed her two visitors. Mea gave a small gracious nod. Lu Cia asked whether their hostess had found a teapot yet. She had not. They did not actually have a table either. None of this troubled a five-minute visit. They stood on the shaded path, each briefly imagining where she might sit.
Beside the lake, they found somewhere to sit without opening a single door. They settled side by side while the forest repeated itself in the water. Mea rested her hands in her lap. Colombine leaned back comfortably, and Lu Cia kept her notebook closed. “Living room,” she said softly. Everyone agreed. For a while, they missed none of the windows they had chosen earlier. There was quite enough to see from here.
Beside the quiet river, Mea opened the notebook and sketched three windows. She gave them neither a house number nor a street. Colombine immediately noticed that one needed somewhere to put a cup. Lu Cia wanted a slightly larger view. Mea moved a line for each and showed them the result. It followed no actual building. It belonged to all the places where they had enjoyed standing, sitting or laughing together. For five minutes, it was a perfectly good home.
“We’ll leave the address open.”
From notebook to book
The Map with No Last Page
Travel2City journeys continue between the covers of a book. Discover our illustrated travel world.
