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Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

He descends down the stairwell like a dumbwaiter down its chute. Having taken rest in his small box of a hotel room, the bed barely fitting within its walls, he’s thirsty and eager to explore.

People speaking on cellular phones make faces. On bicycles they grimace. On the tram they smile. Expressionless while walking.

The man moves without any sense of direction, observing everyone and everything he sees. Individuals draw him toward their space: musicians to their sound, merchants to their wares, beggars to their cups.

A boat floats beneath crooked buildings:


His thirst reaching unbearable levels, he chooses a random shop. A quick peek at the menu. “Orange juice, please.”

A barista nods and turns around and makes it fresh on a small machine. He gulps it all down without stopping for breath, pays and goes on his way.

For a while all he notices are Asian and Argentine restaurants:










A man approaches him with arm extended. “Excuse me, are you on facebook?” he asks.

“Excuse me?”

“No, excuse me, please, are you on facebook?”

“Do you mean right now?”

“Ha ha, very funny,” the man hands him a card, “please ‘like’ our page when you have time.”

He accepts the card and continues roaming the streets. They have everything here, he thinks. Every culture, every virtue, every vice. Some of it’s free, some of it’s for sale, but it’s all here and available.  We can take it or leave it.
Posted by liminalfiction
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13 comments:

  1. Big TubaJune 7, 2012 at 8:18 AM

    Nice photos. More posts with photos coming in the future?

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    Replies
    1. liminalfictionJune 8, 2012 at 6:19 AM

      Thanks, Big T. Not sure about future posts with photos, was just having some fun with this one.

      Delete
  2. Helen A. HowellJune 8, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    I feel I should type "Like" and then have a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice! I sorta got the feeling of the tourist overwhelmed in a city he doesn't know, and yet it's all there to try.

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    1. liminalfictionJune 10, 2012 at 4:58 PM

      Thanks, Helen! Yes, I think you summed it up nicely, it's a simple little story.

      Delete
  3. LindaJune 9, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    I like this page! So much to experience in a city it can be overwhelming. Love the pics, too. Peace...

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    1. liminalfictionJune 10, 2012 at 4:58 PM

      Thanks, Linda! Nice to read that you liked the pics.

      Delete
  4. Steve GreenJune 9, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    It sounds like a very exotic and exciting place to explore.

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    1. liminalfictionJune 10, 2012 at 4:59 PM

      Hi, Steve. No doubt you're right when you write that it's an exciting place. Thanks for the comment.

      Delete
  5. John WiswellJune 11, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    Particularly dug the cascade of shoppe photos. Cities often feel like this to me.

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    1. liminalfictionJune 12, 2012 at 6:18 AM

      Thanks, John. Only post I've ever done with photos, so it's nice to know that they worked for you.

      Delete
  6. Icy SedgwickJune 12, 2012 at 12:54 AM

    I love the fact that you can't go anywhere without Facebook getting in the way!

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  7. liminalfictionJune 12, 2012 at 6:19 AM

    Hi, Icy. Thanks for picking up on that detail, you hit the nail on the head with regard to the point of that tidbit.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Craig SmithJune 24, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    Never eaten at an Argentinian restaurant before. Must be good though if it's so popular there. Must do some research and see if there are any around here. I liked the mix of photos and text. And I might sound odd, but I like that feeling when you're so thirsty you just want to drink everything in sight.

    ReplyDelete

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