Fifth Journey Day 56: The Coat That Didn’t Fit
Date: July 3, 2025
Location: Chernivtsi, Ukraine
I walked slowly today — not because I was lazy, but because the air felt right. The clouds were low and still, and the streets felt like they were in a different time. Chernivtsi doesn't immediately capture your attention; it reveals its charms and beauty to the curious traveler over time. The rhythm here is more relaxed and less focused on performance. At the Prut River, I let my body go with the flow. The water moved gently, not quickly, and it wasn't dirty. A group of ducks gathered near the water's edge, quiet but busy, like the thoughts I hadn't yet organized.
The trees along the path were still holding onto yesterday's rain. Everything felt a bit loose and kind. I passed a boy throwing stones into the river, and he was throwing them deliberately. I'm not skipping them, I'm just sending them in. His coat was too big, and his sleeves were hanging down. I watched him for too long. The object he rolled — a smooth piece of brick or concrete — didn't sink immediately. It spun around, then dropped. That moment is still clear in my mind. The way it resisted being gone.
I was glad that no one bothered me. I needed the quiet to be uninterrupted. I didn't want it to be dramatic or reflective. I just wanted it to be neutral and steady. It felt good to have no goal, no strong response to summon. I've learned that sometimes you just need to let yourself feel soft and accept that you don't need to know why. The time spent doing that still influences the work later on.
There's something special about this city that I haven't quite figured out yet. It's not a love story, but it's not a tragedy either. It's just a story with some interesting details. I'll stay another day.
