Fifth Journey Day 80: Pear Soda, Almost Cold

Date: July 27, 2025
Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

This afternoon, I walked along Erkindik Boulevard with a cold bottle of pear soda. The trees here are tall and seem old. Their bark is rough, and their leaves flutter when the wind blows. The path is wide, with benches spaced at regular intervals. Most of the benches are occupied by people doing nothing in particular. I passed a boy eating sunflower seeds, a woman sleeping with her head tilted back, and two old men playing something that involved small stones on a cloth.

I moved slowly. I wasn't tired, but the atmosphere of the place made me feel that way. The city feels low to the ground — not in size, but in energy. It seems like everything is staying close to the Earth for the time being. The buildings are not very exciting, with simple exteriors and air conditioners that make a quiet noise. Nothing here works. I'm starting to appreciate spaces that don't demand attention but still offer a reward.

I stopped near a shallow fountain where children were wading. The water wasn't very clean, but it was fine. They were laughing quietly, not loudly. I sat on a nearby bench and looked at the different shades of light on the pavement. There were some areas of light that looked like fish. They only moved when there was wind.

I didn't draw today. I thought about it, but decided instead to let the day come without translation. There's a kind of drawing that happens when you pay close attention to your surroundings. I think that's what I did today. Let the world fill the page, without needing to write it down.