Fifth Journey Day 31: Window Flicker

Date: June 8, 2025
Location: Ålesund, Norway

This morning, I let myself arrive slowly. I didn't have a plan. I just wanted to walk and see what the city had to offer. The cobblestones here are uneven, softened by use, and the buildings' fronts curve inward, as if the town is folding itself around the sea.

I walked away from the harbor, away from the main canal, and found myself on a quiet street. The houses were painted in soft colors like pale greens, creams, and faded reds. Their wooden siding showed the natural pattern of the wood, which had been weathered by the sun and rain. At one point, I passed a window where someone had hung thin, see-through lace that caught the outside light. The inside was barely visible, as you could only barely make out the warm outline and the flicker of movement. That stayed with me.

There's something calm in Ålesund — it's not sleepy, just relaxed. It doesn't make a lot of noise, which I like. My thoughts were more organized today. I took pictures of walls and drainage patterns, and iron gates with peeling paint. I didn't talk to anyone. But I didn't feel alone, either.

A small cat crossed my path and stopped just long enough for me to notice it. It moved on. I did too.

I came back early to rest and think about what I had seen. I didn't make a sketch today. I just felt my hands gathering something. It's still, but not empty. It's a texture that can be found in quiet corners. It's a day that doesn't feel overwhelming; it's relaxed.

I needed that.