galveston graffiti & gulf mysteries: 4691865, 1840020970, and me
alright, so i'm in galveston, texas, and i've got sweat in places i didn't know could sweat. the weather's doing its thing: 18.59°c, feels like 18.93, humidity 93% - i just checked and it's...a damp hug from the gulf, hope you like that kind of thing. pressure's 1006 hpa, which means the sky's about to burst, but for now, it's just this heavy, wet air that makes your spray paint nodules clog if you're not fast.
i came here to find walls, but ended up chasing ghosts. the numbers 4691865 and 1840020970 are spray-painted everywhere - on seawall benches, under the pier, even on the side of a portable toilet at the beach. what the hell? someone told me it's a coordinates thing, but when i plugged it into my phone, it pointed to the middle of the ocean. drunk advice, probably.
if you get bored, *houston is just a short drive away, but why leave? this island has its own rhythm. i heard that during the 1900 storm, the sea threw up furniture and dead horses - now it's mostly plastic chairs and lost flip-flops. the locals have stories for days.
i crashed at this hostel near the strand - historic district, all these old buildings with porches that creak. the owner, an old guy named bud, told me, "kid, if you're looking for a canvas, check out the old heat building on 21st. it's been empty since the hurricane." he winked, and i knew he was talking about more than just walls.
spent the morning at the pier. waves were crashing hard, perfect for photos. unsplash has this amazing shot of a pier here -
- but seeing it in person, with the smell of fish and diesel, is different. i tried to sketch it but the humidity made the paper warp.
for lunch, i followed a yelp review to grotto's for shrimp. cash only, no website, but the line tells the story. best shrimp in galveston on yelp best decision ever. while eating, i overheard a couple of fishermen saying that the ferris wheel at the amusement park only runs on weekends now, and it's haunted by the ghost of a carnie who died in the 80s. i heard that from a bartender at the spot on avenue o - same guy who mentioned the numbers.
the ferris wheel is iconic, though. stood there watching it turn against the gray sky. unsplash has a photo:
- but it's more than just a ride; it's a landmark for lost souls like me.
i found my wall: the back of the dry cleaner on 23rd. peeling paint, brick exposed, perfect for a large piece. i started a sketch of a compass with the numbers 4691865 and 1840020970 at the center. is it a treasure map? a code? who knows. street art is about mystery, right?
rain started just as i finished the outline. humidity spiked to, like, 100%. i ran for cover under the seawall, watching the waves eat the beach. the pressure drop made my ears pop. this is the real galveston - raw and unpredictable.
for art supplies, there's a shop called color on mechanics. they have caps and cans, but the guy there is a snob. i heard that if you ask for "the good stuff," he'll show you his private stash. galveston arts coalition might have info on jams.
map? oh yeah, here's where i've been wandering:
- that pin is near the pier, but i'm usually a few blocks inland.
last night, i met a yoga instructor at the beach at sunrise. she said the island's energy is chaotic but healing. i told her about the numbers; she said they might be vibrations or something. i nodded, but i think they're just a kid's tag that went viral.
morning now, and the sky's clearing. humidity's still 93%, but the sun's out. i need to buy more paint. mosquitoes are already biting, so bring bug spray if you come. and if you see a guy with a compass tattoo, ask him about 4691865 - he might know the secret.
that's my messy take on galveston. it's not perfect, but it's real. check out these other shots:
- the ferris wheel* again, but from a different angle. i love how it leans like it's tired of spinning.
for more travel vibes, hit up this galveston travel guide or follow my instagram @messyartlife. peace out.