Mea had intended to write a note on the clean side of an old piece of paper. Instead, she folded it in half, then again, and finally gave it a pointed bow. Beside the water, she suddenly had a boat. It was small, slightly crooked and had no plans at all.
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.
By Cavtat’s harbour, Mea compared her boat with the real ones. It had a simpler hull, less equipment and no rope. On the other hand, it fitted comfortably in her hands. For a while, she held it up and considered which vessel it might belong beside. Then she smiled and left it where it was. Dry sailing suited paper. The real boats rocked so gently that they seemed to see no need to comment on her small decision.
In Ston, a round stone tower appeared before Mea. It had a small doorway, sturdy walls and the air of someone who had seen plenty of visitors. Mea lifted the boat in her hands as though introducing it. A real vessel waited beside the quay; the paper one would look like very modest luggage next to it. She smiled and let it keep travelling on dry land. At a harbour like this, staying and looking for a while was enough.
Near Makarska, Mea noticed a purple flower among pale stones. She sat a little way from it and placed the boat on her notebook. The sea was vast and the flower tiny, yet they divided her attention quite fairly. Such a lighthouse would be enough for her little vessel. She left it growing exactly where she had found it. Holding the paper hull with one finger, she watched the blue water continue all the way to the horizon.
Before Primošten, the paper was beginning to look a little tired. Mea gently pressed its sides and slipped it between the notebook’s pages. She left the bow peeping out so she could find it later. From a distance, the town on the water looked like somewhere a small boat might like to visit. Today, however, it received another address. Mea adjusted her shoulder bag and walked on. Her little companion went too, quietly and without a ticket.
“Your harbour will be here.”
From notebook to book
The Map with No Last Page
Travel2City journeys continue between the covers of a book. Discover our illustrated travel world.
