Fifth Journey Day 43: Echoes Beneath Footsteps
Date: June 20, 2025
Location: Pärnu, Estonia
The air feels different here — wider. After the quiet city of Tallinn, Pärnu felt more relaxed. I walked along the promenade for most of the afternoon. The wooden boards under my feet creaked gently. They were old and had been exposed to the salty air. The wind was steady, not strong, but strong enough to make the air move against my skin.
The sea was calm today. Small, repeated waves reached the sand. I watched the light move across the water — each ripple caught a thin line of silver before disappearing again. Further out, the color deepened into a soft blue-grey, reflecting the sky's gentle coolness.
There weren't many people. There were a few families with small children, some older couples walking slowly. Sometimes, I passed someone sitting alone, looking out at nothing in particular. The quiet here doesn't feel empty. It feels like an invitation to stay inside your own thoughts without interruption.
As I walked, I noticed the way the grasses near the dunes moved in unison, their pale green blades bending in waves like the water itself. Everything seemed to echo gently — the wind, the grass, the water, and even the spaces between buildings as I made my way back into town.
I didn't draw today, but I had my materials with me. The mood felt more like gathering than producing. I still see patterns in my mind: water, sand, grass. Maybe something will be made tomorrow.
Tonight, the air will be even cooler. The breeze easily comes in through the open window of my guesthouse room. The sound of the waves is soft but constant, like the sea's steady breath even in sleep.
