Mountain Bliss

by Deyvid Stoyanov (Italy)

A leap into the unknown Bulgaria

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Everyone around me is still sleeping. I turn on the flash light and stealthily get out of the hut. It was 05:30am when I stepped outside to smell the brisky air of peak Botev.''How lucky I am to experience this moment'' I said to myself. The first sun rays on the horizon. A breathtaking view on the highest peak of the Balkan mountains. Only a couple of minutes outside on the bench when the cracking sound of the door came along. It was my friend Alexander. ''Good morning bro, are you ready for today?'', he said. "Yea.'', I replied. He sat next to me in awe of what his eyes were seeing. We stood there for a while before getting back inside for a hot tea and a quick breakfast. I was looking at the map before taking off when I heard: ''Hey David, how is your leg?'', said Ivan while joining us. "Same as the last ten days'' I replied. My clock was showing 06:55, I have to go. The previous night I made the decision to go back to Sofia and check my leg. Was not going to reach the sea as planned. Unless! Come back and rejoin my friends for the last part of our adventure. ''See you soon guys, I will be back in a few days''. I said. ''Take care David, call us when you get down'', Alexander and Ivan replied. But even Alexander who knew me for so long had doubt on his face. The situation for my achiles was serious, but not enough to break my will. Steadily going downhill towards "Tarzans pathway" I realized that I am walking in a constant bewilderment of my surrounding, free, undistracted by anything and anyone, into the unknown lands of Central Balkans. ''Why didn't I do this earlier?'', comes a thought into my mind. Later that day I received the answer. Such a blissful state of being. Even the pain in my leg on each and every step I take cannot bother me. No wonder why I kept going like this for the past ten days, nature gives me strength. ''I even look like a modern day Tarzan'', Im thinking to myself. Wearing a beige bucket hat, a dirty white t-shirt and an even dirtier beige pants. With my green mountain climbing backpack, not even wearing shoes. Thanks to my friend Alexander I am able to walk. His sports sandals kept me going. Even my dusty white socks are matching my t-shirt. Like a little boy was I having fun on Tarzans pathway, such an amazing place to hike. It is almost over, when I heard the splash of water. ''This is the waterfall'' comes into my mind. Should be right behind the corner. I started running. Have you ever felt that feeling of pure bliss? Where you are so greatful for the present moment that you forget about everything else, that blink of an eye, like an earthquake, an eruption inside of you. Destroying the perception of all the dogma in your conscience, reshaping the meaning of possible and impossible. After moments like those, people change forever. They become their own breed of Nomads. ''Heavenly Sprinkler'' the highest waterfall on the Balkan Peninsula and Mountain Lodge ''Heaven'' are infront of me. Soon I was able to bring back my awareness on the objectives: “Reach the nearest village and find transportation to Sofia.” Savouring my meal at the lodge I felt anxious. “What if there was no transportation?” I will surprise my family for dinner! I believed that with every cell in my body! Down the road in the next few hours I stumbled upon many people. Some were asking for directions other were curious if the waterfall is near. I was glad to help and kept them encouraged. The sun was going down when I reached the village. There was no transportation. Hitchhiking was an option, just outside the village on the main road. The first car that I tried? It stopped. ''I am headed to Sofia.'' I said. ''So are we, hop in.'' they replied. At first I did not recognize who they were, until they told me that I had given them directions and some motivation earlier that day. Such a pleasant surprise. That was my answer. Everything comes at the right time, you just need to believe. In a few days I was back on the road for the last part of the adventure.