Nika's days in Dubrovnik

Today, Wednesday 7 October

1. 7:08amCoffee went cold while listening to upstairs violin again
2. 12:15pmQuiet couple at the last table told me about their divorce papers
3. 3:40pmFound a new patch of empty wall, ferry horn sounded like an ending
4. 7:50pmAte someone’s abandoned fries on the bench near the water taxi

On her mind: Wondering what the quiet couple will do with their last night here

Tuesday 6 October

1. 7:15amCoffee cooling fast on the east terrace, sun already warm
2. 12:40pmTwo tourists argued over the last table, gave it to the quieter one
3. 5:55pmWoman upstairs tuning a violin again, same wrong note every night
4. 9:10pmBare feet on stone past the city gates, sea still louder than traffic
5. 11:45pmFries from the van near the harbour, salt on fingers all the way home

Monday 5 October

1. 7:12amSomeone asked for directions to a church that burned down in 1667, felt bad correcting them
2. 12:45pmThe last table left their whole story behind in a tip, pocketed it anyway
3. 3:00pmFound a patch of wall with no one else on it, watched the ferry come in
4. 7:40pmAte cold fries standing on a bench before the night crowd started
5. 11:15pmWalked home barefoot, blisters already forming but the stone was still warm

Sunday 4 October

1. 7:41amSun still on the water when I reached the terrace
2. 12:14pmCouple argued over the check like I wasn't there
3. 3:58pmBar on the corner started playing that old rex ilusivii song again
4. 7:37pmLast table left at seven, left their fries
5. 10:44pmWalked home without shoes, stones still warm

Saturday 3 October

1. 7:20amCoffee on the balcony before the old town wakes up
2. 12:45pmThe corner table told the whole ferry story without stopping
3. 8:10pmLast guests lingered asking about empty winters on the walls
4. 11:50pmWalked home barefoot past shuttered cafes, stones still warm

Friday 2 October

1. 7:45amShutters slammed all night from the autumn wind
2. 11:20amThe figs at the market were still warm from the sun
3. 8:10pmLast table wouldn't leave until they finished their story
4. 11:45pmWalked barefoot home after the fries, stones cool now

Thursday 1 October

1. 8:15amGulls loud over the harbor before any tables filled
2. 12:30pmHeard the whole cancelled tour story without rushing
3. 5:45pmWind from the walls felt like winter already starting
4. 11:00pmWalked home barefoot while the stones still held heat

Wednesday 30 September

1. 9:20amListened too long to a stranger's story about home
2. 2:10pmWalked the empty back streets to avoid the crowds
3. 7:45pmThe air cooled just enough for the first jacket
4. 10:50pmStopped for late fries before heading home

Tuesday 29 September

1. 7:15amCoffee by the open window already tasting like summer
2. 2:30pmThe tourist told their whole story without me asking twice
3. 8:45pmLast table stayed until the lights dimmed around us
4. 10:30pmWalked home barefoot feeling the stones still warm

Monday 28 September

1. 7:20amWaves slapping the harbor wall woke me early
2. 10:05amWalked the empty side streets before noon
3. 3:40pmTourist at the cafe told the whole ferry story
4. 8:15pmWaited for the last table to finish talking
5. 10:50pmBarefoot on the warm stones heading home

Sunday 27 September

1. 7:45amCoffee by the window with the gulls arguing below
2. 11:20amRead half the abandoned paper before the wind took it
3. 3:40pmCats stretched out across every warm stone in sight
4. 8:15pmLast table spilled the whole story before closing
5. 10:45pmWalked home barefoot on stones still warm from the sun

Saturday 26 September

1. 7:20amPigeons scattered at the first ferry horn through the mist
2. 3:30pmWall was empty enough to hear the sea below the stones
3. 8:10pmLast table traded the story of a ring dropped in the sea
4. 10:50pmBarefoot on the way home with the taste of late fries

Friday 25 September

1. 8:20amWoke early to the first ferry horns echoing off the walls
2. 1:45pmListened to the full story from the couple who missed their tour
3. 9:10pmLast table stayed talking till the chairs went up
4. 12:45amWalked the stones home barefoot to avoid the last crowds

Thursday 24 September

1. 7:30amWaves hit the wall louder than they needed to this morning
2. 1:45pmCrowds thinned just enough to hear the sea again
3. 6:30pmLast table dragged on but the story was worth it
4. 10:45pmWalked home barefoot, stones holding the day's heat still