TRAVELER'S NOTEBOOK AND MORNING COFFEE

Sitting down in bright morning light to drink my coconut 

coffee, leafing through some Florence pictures. 

Memories captured on film – memories saved forever.

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camera: bronica sq-a

film: kodak portra 160

notebook: midori Traveler's Notebook

pen: Visconti Van Gogh

© nicole sprekelmann

THEN AND NOW

The last years have been intense, full of worries and this anxiety 

always present. Scared of what was to come. If the last years 

were filled with angst, 

the last months have been a living nightmare. 

Weekends spent driving to see you, trying to find words 

of hope and assurance, while at the same time 

being full of dread and panic myself. To much dread 

to even find words for it. How would I find the strength

to face a future without you? How could I ever cope without

my mom? 

And the dreaded day did come and now

I have to start facing a new truth. I will have

to find a way to cope without you.

Who will find the right words now – when all I 

want to do is talk to you? Who could possibly fill

the space you are leaving behind? 

Will this emptiness

stay forever? 

I hoped that in beautiful Italy I would heal some, would 

forget some and would find some hope. 

What I found in Venice 

was colours that made my heart beat, 

water that soothed my soul, 

sights that made me want more, 

scents that made me dream 

and people that made me smile.

On the outside I felt good, but on the inside I still felt numb, 

still only you on my mind. 

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camera: bronica sq-a

film: kodak portra 160

© nicole sprekelmann

FLORENCE SUNDOWN

Florence.

 I am getting lost in the city – from morning till night.

I am drowning in its beauty, taking in the music and its magical light.

Walking past the river, climbing steps to take a break on piazza

michelangelo, with magnificent view over the entire city. 

Drinking the most delicious coffee in little side streets, 

talking to strangers while the sun is slowly sinking into

the river.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

This is a trip down memory lane, exactly the way I intended it to be.

The moment I step onto the small island I feel as if I am stepping back

into the past. I am my teenage self again, wandering the streets with 

my best friend. Two young girls full of mischief and laughter. 

We roamed these streets together like two stray cats, 

understanding each other blindly. 

I am sitting near Santa Maria della Salute, 

feet dangling in the water while I savor my figs. 

They will forever be the taste of Italy to me.

Remembering how we would live on ice-cream back then, 

tasting a new flavor with every cone we bought, 

grinning from ear to ear licking our  share of lampone,

limone and vaniglia.  

.............................

camera: bronica sq-a

film: kodak portra 160

© nicole sprekelmann

STONE ON STONE

Stone on stone I am amazed.

Stones of pastel colours make my eyes glaze

over with happiness. I walk the labyrinth like 

streets, turn right, turn left and turn again, 

hands softly brushing along pastel coloured walls and

crumbling stones. 

Could a city be more beautiful?

Could a city be washed in softer colours?

Could a city be more romantic?

Wherever I turn I find myself walking down a street even prettier 

than the one before. Another bridge, another palace, 

another building another dome taking my breath away. 

My feet keep walking, taking me ever deeper into the heart of the

city, soft steps on grey stones, breathing in the salty air.

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camera: bronica sq-a

film: kodak portra 160

© nicole sprekelmann

FACADES OF VENICE

Never will I forget laying eyes on Venice for the first time.

Colourful facades soft as a powder puff would make me want to

touch every stone I walked by. 

Reflections would play with the sun and 

make me think of a thousand diamonds hidden in 

the canals, softly illuminating walls and faces.

Our 13 year old footsteps excitedly echoing the alleyways, 

turning left, turning right, finding new wonders in 

every direction. 

And now I am coming back, retracing those steps.

.............................

camera: bronica sq-a

film: kodak portra 160

© nicole sprekelmann