i.
As I venture off-the-beaten-path, heading south, I throw away the mussel talisman around my neck. Instead, I rely on a bottle of Black Balsam I dragged all the way from Riga earlier in the week.
ii.
Along the Baltic Sea, I position myself just a mere 211.8 nautical miles from Kaliningrad. Audacious is my move; it makes me sick. And two days in, I’m a horse tethered to a post. I’m so sick even the sun shining through the window is bothersome.
iii.
Trips to the chemist, the bearer of good health, are beneficial for me but prove exhausting for my travel companion. When exhaustion turns into a toothache, our host recommends vodka to ease the pain. Six days in, we are both tethered horses immobilised by a violent flu.
iv.
Forced to stay longer than we wish to, we reluctantly extend our visit. I’m unsure if I like this place, and as my mind has to contend with the endless worst-case scenarios. It appears to be indifferent too.
v.
But Bolt is a Samaritan who runs around bringing us sustenance and takes us to the sea to bathe. And the salt water breaks the wicked spell.
vi.
Feeling relieved and with a clearer mind, we rely on a ferry to cross a body of water. Because I’m determined not to leave here without finding beauty.
vii.
The ferry deposits us at Smiltyne, a village that houses a nature museum. Our attention is on the UNESCO site, the narrow and vulnerable sand dune peninsula. peninsula. We opt for the easier path and hike to the beach.
viii.
In the forest, we encounter cheerful second-graders who have escaped the confines of a classroom. After passing them, I feel eyes on me and say, “We’re being watched.” As we turn around, we find the entire group staring.
ix.
At that instant, one girl’s eyes light up as she exclaims, “Hello, girl!” I can’t help but burst into laughter, thinking no matter where you go, there you are! “Hello, girl,” I reply. We share a smile and part ways. “She’s bold,” says my Mr Right, who appreciates that people here rarely greet or make eye contact.
x.
A way of looking at boldness is through the actions you take, the willingness to take risks, and trust your gut.
xi.
In Klaipeda Old Town, we run into a middle-aged couple giddy like a pair of teenagers. We ask about this fountain of happiness. Without hesitation, they point us to the precise spot where happiness is served on a plate and in a glass.
xii.
After an evening of abundant happiness, I bulk up my boldness muscles and pack my rucksack, preparing to move forward. As we journey to the capital in the morn, we’re restored enough to tally all the beauty we leave behind.
xiii.
Vilnius is bold. There’s no time to hem and haw, but to take swift steps off the fence. We hold our heads high, for God is perched high up there alongside justice.
PS. A new post “A Way of Looking at Interconnectedness” is coming up next Sunday. If you’re new to this series, A Way of Looking at Autumn’s First Breath is a good place to begin.
PPS. The featured image is the Church of St. Anne and Bernardine Complex, a magnificent gothic church in Vilnius.
