Venice, Florence, Rome and Lake Garda. Three little flowers accompany Mea through an illustrated collage of Italian moments.
This Italian journey is assembled from four pauses and one small pleasure. Mea brought three white flowers into it. They were not for a birthday, an apology or an achievement. She liked them. When she held them against her dress, she smiled a little more. That was quite enough to begin a story.
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.
Venice
Beside a Venetian canal, Mea moved the little bouquet into her other hand. The paper rustled and the white petals swayed. If anyone asked whom the flowers were for, she had a short answer ready. First, she tried it quietly for herself. It felt pleasant to say. The blue boat beside the wall barely stirred. A small celebration of her own presence did not require an audience.
“For me, please.”
Florence
Beneath a Florentine arch, she raised the flowers into the light. Their three yellow centres looked like tiny suns; a fourth, much larger one provided the lighting. Mea watched the petals cast shadows on stone and tilted her head. It was the sort of detail nobody would plan a trip around. That was precisely why she gave it all the time she wanted. Nobody here measured success by streets covered.
“Even little flowers can cast impressive shadows.”
Rome
In Rome, she found a bench and rested the flowers across her knees. One hand supported the stems while the other tucked a stray lock behind her ear. The bouquet did not need a perfect vase immediately. Nor did Mea need another reason to like her day. Beneath the pine’s broad canopy, she gazed ahead for a while, occasionally checking that all three flowers were enjoying the same break.
“All right. We can all have a rest.”
Lake Garda
Beside Lake Garda, the flowers received a glass of water. Mea opened their wrapping, folded it neatly and moved it aside. The table suddenly felt more personal, though only three stems had been added. Masts swayed behind them. Mea lifted her cup and looked at her undemanding company. It no longer occurred to her to answer whether she had needed the bouquet. She was pleased to have it.
“You look lovely here.”
Travel2City journeys continue between the covers of a book. Discover our illustrated travel world.
Discover the book →Three flowers in water, folded paper beside a cup and Mea in no hurry. This memory did not need careful arranging. Everything was already where it belonged.
Mea Zen · Colombine MichelangeLove