My sketchbook is now full of cafes from three continents

Terry Scott · 2026-03-03T07:40:59.56316+00:00

I've been carrying a small sketchbook with me while nomading. It started as a way to kill time in airports. Now, I sketch the view from every cafe I work in. For example, in Bangkok, I drew the street food stalls outside. In Lisbon, it was the tram lines from my window. This hobby makes me notice details I'd usually miss. Plus, it's a cool way to remember places without just taking photos.

laura2116mo ago

So when you say "find the time," do you sketch instead of working or just during breaks?

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the_simon6mo ago

Did you catch that piece on how sketching a cafe locks in memories differently than a photo? @terrywhite, your comment on details reminded me of it. They mentioned that drawing makes you slow down and notice stuff, like the layout of tables or the light from the window. It seems like a good way to really keep a feel for each place.

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terrywhite6mo ago

Look at that, you filled a whole sketchbook with cafes from three continents? Honestly, that blows my mind. Drawing the street food stalls in Bangkok sounds so detailed. I bet the tram lines in Lisbon were a pain to get right. How do you even find the time to sketch in every cafe you work in?

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