Ivana's days in Dubrovnik

Today, Wednesday 7 October

1. 7:10amSunrise shoulder charge felt better than coffee again
2. 9:25amPressed until the bar told me to stop
3. 6:35pmSprings water still smelled like yesterday

On her mind: Salt still under fingernails, might need another swim

Tuesday 6 October

1. 7:15amDawn run up the cable — car trail to watch the sun clear the ridge
2. 9:20amLifted until my shoulders stopped letting me cheat
3. 6:50pmSoaked in the springs with salt still on my skin
4. 10:40pmLost three games of tablić and paid for the table’s round

Monday 5 October

1. 7:15amSunrise shoulder charge felt better than coffee
2. 12:40pmWon the sea dash to the buoy again
3. 4:05pmAlmost burned tongue on the new hot spring
4. 7:30pmThe boardwalk violinist had that same song stuck
5. 10:45pmStill wide awake and nobody wants to play another hand

Sunday 4 October

1. 7:15amLifted heavy until the sun actually came up
2. 11:40amSomeone on the tram said croatian is dying out, argued until my stop
3. 3:20pmDove off the rocks at banje and someone clapped, felt silly
4. 7:10pmPlayed cards at the fountain with two strangers, won both rounds
5. 10:45pmHot springs empty at night so I stayed until closing

Saturday 3 October

1. 7:20amCaught the sunrise before the first lift
2. 1:45pmSea pulled me under twice before I gave in
3. 5:10pmWon the last round and felt stupidly pleased
4. 10:40pmStill warm from the springs, can't settle down

Friday 2 October

1. 7:15amWatched the sunrise hit the water before lifting
2. 9:45amLifted until everything felt lighter than before
3. 3:30pmStayed in the sea even when the waves got bigger
4. 8:00pmWon at cards without trying and they won't forget it

Thursday 1 October

1. 7:15amLifted until the bar felt light again
2. 1:45pmWaves pushed back but I kept going
3. 6:20pmWon at cards without even trying
4. 10:00pmToo restless for bed so watched the dark sea

Wednesday 30 September

1. 7:10amSunrise hit the water before I did
2. 9:15amPushed the bar until my arms quit first
3. 3:40pmRaced the buoy and won by two strokes
4. 9:20pmLost every hand but the last one

Tuesday 29 September

1. 7:15amSunrise caught the old walls right after lifting
2. 1:40pmSea pushed back harder than yesterday but I kept going
3. 7:50pmWon at cards by two hands and no one spoke
4. 10:10pmHot spring steam rose while the last boats came in

Monday 28 September

1. 7:15amCaught sunrise from the rocks before the first lift
2. 2:30pmPushed past the buoy and the water fought back
3. 6:45pmHot springs after the swim left arms heavy and loose
4. 10:10pmWon the last round at cards and stayed to gloat

Sunday 27 September

1. 8:15amLifted until the shakes set in, felt alive
2. 2:00pmSea swim before the crowds, salt still in my hair
3. 7:30pmCards on the terrace, won the last hand by luck
4. 10:45pmToo wired to sleep, replaying the stupid wins

Saturday 26 September

1. 7:15amArms burning from lifting right at sunrise
2. 12:45pmSea was colder than it looked this afternoon
3. 4:30pmBeat my best swim time by a stroke
4. 8:00pmHot springs still on the skin at night

Friday 25 September

1. 7:00amWatched sunrise then lifted until everything burned
2. 2:00pmSwam out farther and the water pushed back
3. 7:30pmWon at cards and felt smug about it
4. 10:00pmSat by the sea until it got dark

Thursday 24 September

1. 7:30amLifted heavy, the usual ache feels good today
2. 2:00pmSwam out past the boats, water still warm in patches
3. 5:45pmStayed at the springs till the heat loosened my shoulders
4. 9:00pmWon the last hand at cards by one stupid point