A new alert hits my phone. Another heat wave in Busan. Drink water. Rest. Stay fresh.

I get at least two of those every morning here. And every time I think there is an upcoming typhoon.

My time here starts with this selfie: stay playful, stay silly, way better than stay hungry, stay foolish.

My plan? No plan.

Goodbye FOMO about hitting every district. I’m ready to let the meticulous plan I prepared go to hell. Seoul was clear: it doesn’t really work. This time, I’ll follow my gut feelings.

I want to enjoy more the morning cafe? Bye bye Gamcheon. I want to linger a bit longer on the seaside? Bye bye golden hour at the Biff market.

This time, no regrets tho. And I can see my mood reflected on my photos. Or maybe it’s the other way around, the photos I make let me feel no regrets for these sudden changes of plans. What came first, the chicken or the egg?

Walking back to the hotel I do what I’m the best at: pick the darkest sketchy alley and walk down it.

It’s the fish market. Empty, completely asleep. I wonder how this place might be buzzing a few hours from now. But I’m enjoying this unexpected quietness. I let the peace of the sea sink in, passing a couple of fishermen working their lines. My rhythm matches the waves that caress the marina, when I spot lights coming from a warehouse down the road.

A fish auction! After chasing it late at night in Keelung, I randomly find it in Busan, and it's not even midnight.

This place is messy. Wooden boxes full of any kind of fish. Some water seeps through my sandals. This looks more like a ceremony than an auction. A liturgy that repeats box after box until the group moves on to another area. Leaving behind the treasure they’ve just won.

People look at me. At my camera. I don’t feel very welcome here. I’m not even sure if I’m allowed to be around. But, besides one person who asks me not to, no one gives me a hard no. So, as usual, I wear my best smile and I keep on going.

Battery at 1%. I’ve luckily made it to the hotel. I wash away the fish smell while reflecting back on the day.

Honestly, the loose attitude paid out. Less stress, more fun. What started as a regret for another short stop ended up as renewed energy. Let things go. Follow what feels right for me. Be silly. Don’t take myself too seriously. Don’t take photography too seriously.

I’ve always known that, but at times I need a reminder.

Till the next missive,

— M