Berlin

Berlin appeals to Anna and Tom as a city that embodies coolness, creativity, and a sense of forward momentum. Drawn by its image rather than its substance, they immerse themselves in a lifestyle shaped by international influences, art galleries, and curated aesthetics. Yet they remain detached from the city's cultural and historical realities—never learning the language fluently, never fully grasping the city's complex past. The harsh Berlin winters serve as a fitting metaphor: beneath the city's appealing surface lies a colder, more demanding reality that Anna and Tom, despite their aspirations, are ill-equipped to confront.

Unnamed Southern European Country

Anna and Tom’s home country is never named, though the author being Italian invites obvious speculation. This deliberate vagueness serves to universalize their sense of displacement and dissatisfaction. It’s not one specific place they’ve left behind, but rather a set of values and expectations they...