Fifth Journey Day 128: The Rope Between Boats

"The Rope Between Boats" — a quiet line holding motion together in Trabzon’s soft rain.

Date: September 13, 2025
Location: Trabzon, Turkey

On the edge of the Black Sea, Trabzon, Turkey leans between mountains and water. The maritime climate breathes salt and mist; fishing boats, tea steam, and wet stone set the rhythm of the day.

First Breath of the Black Sea

Today felt like trying to breathe in a new way. The air here is different from the plateau's air. It is damp, restless, and full of salt. My first steps along the harbor were accompanied by the sound of gulls flying around me, their cries echoing against the gray sky. The ground was wet from the rain, and the stones were slippery. They were dark, and they reflected some of the light.

Boats and the Rope Between Them

I walked without a clear destination, letting the waves and the wind guide me. The sea was not still — it moved constantly, with waves that rippled in shades of green and blue. I often paused to rest against the low wall and watch the boats. The boats were tied to each other in an uneven way, and their hulls were rocking against each other. The sound of water hitting wood made a slow, steady beat.

Rain-Softened Senses

The rain made little balls on my coat sleeves, leaving faint patterns like ghostly brushstrokes. My glasses fogged up a little in the damp air, making it hard to see. It made the city seem quieter than it was, as if the wet air itself absorbed noise. Even the nearby market stalls, with their smells of fish, bread, and herbs, felt subdued under the rain.

Mountains Behind, Sea Before

There was a sense of calm as we moved at that pace, without any sense of urgency to arrive at a specific destination. I felt the mountains behind me, still close enough to sense, but softened by the sea. The difference in brightness made me pay attention to the feel of the air, the color of wet stone, and the sound of footsteps that were hard to hear because of the moisture.

Choosing Stillness Over Sketching

The difference in brightness made me pay attention to the feel of the air, the color of wet stone, and the sound of footsteps that were hard to hear because of the moisture. Sometimes the rhythm of weather asks the hand to pause and the body to listen.

A City in Sync with Rain

What remains tonight is not just one image, but a feeling — the feeling of being caught between shades of gray and movement, between the drizzle and the salt. It wasn't dramatic or memorable like famous places, but it felt like a conversation without words. Sometimes, arriving at a new place means being open to changing your body's rhythm because of the weather.

Travel Notes

• Weather: Overcast skies, 18°C; intermittent drizzle and sea spray carried by shifting winds; slick dark stones reflecting a dim, silvery light.
• Scents: Salt and rain mingling with the market’s fish, fresh bread, and herbs.
• Sounds: Gulls calling, the slow beat of water on wood, hulls nudging, and footsteps softened by moisture.
• Reflection: The day asked for patience—like a rope holding two boats steady, the sea’s rhythm kept thoughts from drifting too far.

Continue the Journey

You may also enjoy lingering with another rain-washed moment in Istanbul’s markets, or step back to yesterday’s quiet reflections from Kars.