What If Cities Were People?

Imagining cities as humans!

People. Buildings. Traffic. Crowd. Honks. Cars. Buses. Lights — These are the major components of a metropolitan city on planet earth. What was started by early humans millions of years back now took this giant form symbolizing ‘modern civilization’. My travels have taken me to many towns, ports, villages, cities, and countries, and it amazes me how every single place had a distinct identity of its own.

For years, it kept me wondering how cities achieve a sense of visibility and distinguish themselves in the world. Because I was always hyper imaginative, I used to wonder how countries would be like if they were humans — or what would happen if cities were people instead of places.

I don’t mean to stereotype — (okay maybe a little but only in a way that doesn’t offend anyone) but I think it will be fun to imagine some of the prominent cities around the world through the eyes of some interesting people:

1. Barcelona, Spain: A young and passionate footballer waving his jersey at a crowd.
2. Paris, France: A middle-aged man trying to understand the broken French accent of tourists.
3. New York, USA: A group of party-goers, in a queue waiting to enter a nightclub.
4. London, UK: Lady in her British-era gown attending high-tea with friends — or not.
5. Berlin, Germany: Grumpy old man asking for another glass of beer at a bar.
6. Miami, USA: Florida man avoiding alligators and trying to not make a headline — all day, every day.
7. Dubai, UAE: Young man in traditional Emirati outfit offering gold to ex-pats. (I wish)
8. Lagos, Nigeria: Man explaining to tourists that there is no such thing as ‘speaking African’.
9. Singapore City, Singapore: Young girl reading ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ at the airport and eating the best chicken satay in the world.
10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Creepy guy in shorts admiring Singapore through his binoculars (tsk tsk).
11. Mumbai, India: Aspiring actor standing in a crowd of other aspiring actors.
12. Tokyo, Japan: Middle-aged man standing confused outside a vending machine.
13. Moscow, Russia: Tired of convincing people that he is not a ‘spy’.
14. Istanbul, Turkey: Couple deciding whether to live in Asia or Europe.
15. Cairo, Egypt: Pharoah having a heart attack after experiencing the crazy traffic.
16. Rome, Italy: Middle-aged man dressed up as a ‘gladiator’ for Halloween.
17. Beijing, China: Old grandma preparing yummy dumplings with her secret recipe.
18. Cancun, Mexico: Woman relaxing by the blue waters and eternal summer weather at the beach.
19. Sydney, Australia: Mom yelling at her kids to put on more sunscreen.
20. Prague, Czech Republic: A woman, on her second date, discussing how she is not the only child and has a younger sister named Brno.
21. Las Vegas, USA: Drunk man wanting to gamble at a casino despite being broke.
22. Milan, Italy: Woman wearing Valentino stilettos, Prada perfume and shopping for her Versace dress.
23. Bali, Indonesia: Couple on their honeymoon deciding whether to do a Thai spa or go underwater diving. (I’d recommend both)
24. Shanghai, China: Businessman looking over the city lights at night from his 34th-floor hotel room.
25. Edinburgh, UK: Man telling his friends how he is from the world of Harry Potter. (I’d totally be friends with him)

Note: By no means this article intends to hurt people or their emotions tied up to any of the cities above. This is just a funny take on something abstract straight from my imagination.