If Cities Were People, This Is How I Met Them
What Would They Be Like and How Would They Tell Their Stories?
Cities breathe like people. You can feel their humanness, no matter how dense the jungle of concrete or how high the towers of steel.
Looking through my photo albums and postcards, I began to wonder: What if cities were people? How did our paths cross, and what stories would they share?
Here are those stories.
Just a Heads-Up: These stories are inspired by the vibe each city gave me, and a dash of truth for flavor.
TOKYO
Tokyo is a 55-year-old artist who once dazzled the world with his creativity. But recently, he lost his sight and now struggles to complete what he fears might be his final masterpiece.
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is a 28-year-old bachelor who seems perfect on paper, but he’s emotionally adrift. He plants tulips and chain-smokes during late-night walks along the canal, trying to numb the pain.
ROME
Rome is a 70-year-old retired sculptor who has created thousands of art pieces in memory of his late wife. His son diligently arranges the sculptures for neighbors and passersby to admire.
HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima is a 15-year-old boy who has been sick all his life, but he recently got out of the hospital and is now trying to navigate the challenges of being a teenager.
BANGKOK
Bangkok, 35, embraced monastic life, while his twin stayed in the corporate world. One seeks meaning in silence, the other success in chaos, both wondering who chose right.
VATICAN
Vatican is a 75-year-old scholar who has devoted his life to decoding ancient manuscripts. But now, as his vision falters and his students move on, he often contemplates whether his lifelong dedication was in vain.
BARCELONA
At 23, Barcelona is determined to carve out his own identity, separate from his renowned artist parent. He experiments with different forms of art, hoping to find his passion, and spends his free time basking in the sunlight.
KöLN
Köln, a 26-year-old indie musician, comes from a long line of businessmen. Branded the black sheep, he pours his hopeless romanticism into singing rebellious anthems by the river.
MADRID
Madrid is a 30-year-old artist, once celebrated for her brilliance, now lost in a cycle of parties and alcohol to escape the weight of expectation. Beneath the glamorous facade, she hides the cracks of burnout.
SINGAPORE
Singapore is a 45-year-old businessman, the youngest of his 10 siblings, but by far the most successful. From selling in hawker stalls to leading an international empire, he hardly sleeps anymore, but he believes it’s all worth it.
DRESDEN
Dresden is an 18-year-old college student trying to find her place in an elite school. Underneath her refined and graceful exterior is a passionate and strong-willed character, shaped by her past struggles.
OSAKA
Osaka is a 30-year-old who spends his days working at a ramen shop, but when night falls, he’s on stage with his band, chasing a dream he’s held onto for 15 years.
BALI
Bali, once the princess of a paradise where gods and men coexisted, now finds her kingdom stolen. The sacred has turned commercial, and she wanders through what remains, longing for the peace that has been lost to the noise.
YOGYAKARTA
Yogyakarta is a 60-year-old monarch, enveloped by the classical arts that define her legacy. Aware she is the last of her kind, she clings to the spirit of her kingdom, fighting to preserve it in a world that’s ever-changing.
DUBAI
Dubai is a 32-year-old immigrant, surrounded by deserts and skyscrapers, but he dreams of oceans. By day, he builds another’s paradise; by night, he longs for the waves he left behind.