Throughout his trip to Italy, Sylas took photographs, reflecting the historical information he had learned from old books on the city, exploring it with every step. Each photograph carried a memory, a feeling, and each one felt like a language to him. But all these discoveries were recorded not only through his eyes but also through his soul. When his Aunt Eleanor retired to her hotel after each day in Rome, Sylas began compiling memories of his daily trips.
From the moment he began thinking about his blog, one thing had been on his mind: "Even if no one else notices, these posts are just for me." The photos and texts were not for anyone else, but for his own inner exploration. Sylas had decided to share his inner journey with the world through his writing, a kind of diary.
The title of his first post was perhaps a testament to his deepest contemplation: "Rome: A Walk in Time." In his post, he reflected on everything that touched his eyes and soul as he walked through Rome's narrow streets. He wrote in-depth reflections on the cultural richness, ancient ruins, ancient Roman structures, and the art that permeated the city. His observations were shaped not by a photographer's perspective, but by an artist's feelings.
"In Rome, every corner tells a story. Behind every stone, behind every wall, you can hear the voice of the past. In just a few steps, you can find yourself thousands of years in the past, merging the past with the present. Today, in Rome, I was not just a wanderer, but a time traveler…" he began his post.
However, Sylas knew his blog was solely for his own inner exploration. He wasn't addressing his readers; he was simply sharing what he felt, saw, and learned in that moment. "Nothing happens if no one notices," he told himself, but in reality, every word, every photograph carried a piece of himself. It was a combination of past and present; the writing was art, observation, and story.
On his return from his trip to Italy, Sylas had begun collecting objects he had once again purchased from old shops. His bag was filled with a miniature replica of an ancient Roman statue, an old playing card, a few fragments of an ancient map, and an old painting from Italy. Each item felt like a piece of a different time, a different place. Bringing these items home wasn't just a physical possession; it was also bringing home traces of the past, the depths of cultures. Sylas planned to create a corner in his room and display them—a kind of personal museum, but one that belonged only to him.
As he neared the end of his first article, he finished his first impressions of Rome, writing at the end: "Many people will pass through the city, but as I wrote this, I felt the spirit of Rome behind every stone. Who knows, maybe one day everything here will become a story in my memory."
After the article was finished and uploaded to his blog, preparations began for the new country. Sylas planned to go to France next. The books he read about French history, art, and cuisine further fueled his thirst for discovery. Drawing on his aunt's travel experience, he sought advice on places he'd previously visited.
Before leaving for France, Sylas decided to do more research on photography, examine old cameras, and learn more about history. Seeing, photographing, and observing Paris, Montmartre, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre were a new adventure for him.
As part of the trips, Eleanor would introduce Sylas to different cultures and local cuisines, giving him the opportunity to explore France's art scene more intimately. Sylas's passion for art was growing; each new place, filled with art, history, and culture, presented him with a new world.
And they decided to take the first step into this new world together: France. Sylas would continue to write down every moment, reflect it through his photographs, and explore the world. Both the artist and the traveler within him were growing with each step.