I stepped off the ferry onto the sturdy wharf. The cold breeze was full of salt as it brushed the hair out of my face. The snow-covered beach stretched to both sides as I walked up the wooden path, following the crowd of passengers disembarking. A man carrying a briefcase muttered a quick apology after bumping into me. I drew a breath of frigid air and continued on my way.

The reddish wood of the wharf led to a wide sidewalk. I caught a whiff of a passerby's steaming drink as they rushed to the same ferry I just left. It was a rich scent; full of caramel, salt, and coffee. I watched as the young woman's long, black scarf trailed behind her. Her short, dark hair was nearly completely covered by her burgundy hat.

I turned to the left and continued walking, looking for a place to warm up. The snow was piled to either side of the street. I couldn't avoid stepping into a pile of the slush without throwing myself into the freely-flowing traffic. The water seeped into my sneakers, wetting my thick socks. The wet wool squished uncomfortably between my toes as I continued on my way.

People from all walks of life passed me by as they went on their way. A mailperson exited a shop across the way as I came up to an intersection. Their satchel was nearly empty despite it being so early in the afternoon.

I noticed a man with a small child coming up from behind me to wait at the same crosswalk.

"We've gotta wait for the walking man, remember?" he reminded the little girl in a steady voice. She practically bubbled with energy, but managed to keep herself out of the street.

The light for the crosswalk changed, and the pair began to cross. I walked alongside them, keeping an eye out for anything interesting — or anything warm. The chill was beginning to creep its way into my very bones despite my heavy parka.

The rows of tiny shops along the seaside looked inviting with their brightly-painted exteriors, but I was looking for a cafe. A nice, hot tea would be welcome, and I doubted any of the souvenir shops served drinks.

I stopped at a bus terminal to look for a map. The plastic bins attached to the sides of the enclosure were empty. There wasn't a single brochure or map in sight.