Ramsay Banna

Once at the top, I am rewarded with amazing views in every direction. The mountain stretches east and west and cuts the country in half – if you look north, you can see the great Danube river on a clear day. To the south, the Aegean sea – or so they say… Its either not a clear day or my eyesight has taken a hit after all these years of studying.

But you don’t need to look that far because the range of summits east and west, lining up the ridge, are simply spectacular.

I am acutely aware that this is the halfway point of my trek and that most accidents happen on the way down. And that I am so tired I can just lie down and fall asleep, right there between the grazing cattle with cow dung looking like a really attractive pillow at that moment.

n the way down I appreciate the views I didn’t get a chance to see while I was dragging myself uphill, so I stop for a late lunch and take it all in. The valley between the mountains is glittering with numerous lakes. A helicopter is doing rounds from one of the lakes to a nearby forest which has caught fire, an unfortunate common sight in the summer. It looks like a little bug, hovering over the water and dipping its bucket then zooming towards the smoke to dump it on top. From this altitude you only see beauty. None of the abandoned concrete ruins which pollute the small villages, remnants of 40 yrs of building a doomed political system and unattractive skyline.

For more information please contact Ramsay Banna

to be continued…..