the big, gridded streets and their little twins, and the capillary lanes between.
the trams, the trains, the cute girls on bikes.
the quiet places & the rush.
the millions of vegan options. tiramisu at the other end of lygon street, penne napoli in a secret back alley, tofu and broccollini delivered room service to the eleventh floor.
the shops full of beautiful things. picking a few to own.
the stories people share. the way that talking about the weather is a minor storyteller’s art.
the hunt for the best coffee in town. j says pellegrini’s, r says brother baba budan, c says 5 in centre place. everyone agrees that bonsoy is the best soy milk, the best coffee places boast of it on their menu.
the vertical shape of laneways, and the things people have painted on their walls, or suspended above them, or otherwise installed.
the friends and friendly people. sticky zine shop. professional meetings that are bracketed with hugs.