Lisbon. Mea sets out with a little paper ticket and returns with a taste for taking her time.
Mea had a few places she wanted to see in her notebook. The tram ticket was much smaller than her entire list. She held the two beside each other for a moment, then closed the notebook. Lisbon was not going anywhere. For a little while, she could simply enjoy the ride.
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.
Lisbon
The tram stood at the bend while Mea inspected her little ticket once more from the pavement. It offered no room for extensive notes or a detailed plan. She was beginning to like that. A light breeze moved through her hair; she adjusted her bag and smiled. The part of her that enjoyed being surprised was coming along for the ride today.
“There is not much room for obligations on this ticket.”
Lisbon
She settled so comfortably by the window that the notebook stayed in her bag. Facades, balconies and glimpses of streets passed beyond the glass, places she might never have looked into on foot. Catching her reflection, Mea raised an amused eyebrow. It looked like a woman with time to spare. She decided not to interrupt this version of herself by asking what else she ought to fit in.
“All right, then. We will ride a little longer.”
Lisbon
Beneath white umbrellas, she found a little table. She placed the ticket beside her closed notebook and drew the coffee closer. She could have ticked off the places she had visited. Instead, she watched a stripe of sunshine on the pavement and considered sitting a little longer. The answer arrived before the bill. She had a good seat, warm coffee and absolutely nothing urgent in her expression.
“I would happily make this a longer stop.”
Lisbon
Above the rooftops, the view suddenly reached much farther. Mea opened her notebook and tucked the ticket between its pages, safe from her next search for keys. In the end, she did add something to her list of places: stay longer over coffee. Then she put down her pen and looked towards the river. The note was finished. The view was not. She let it continue for a while without commentary.
“I am keeping this.”
Travel2City journeys continue between the covers of a book. Discover our illustrated travel world.
Discover the book →The ticket stayed in the notebook. When it slipped out later, Mea first remembered the tram’s warm window. And then she immediately wanted a coffee.
Mea Zen · Colombine MichelangeLove