60.26 /27 Bulgaria: Orpheus Rocks, Smolyan (twice), some action on the slopes and peaks including Malina black diamond, plus coincidences and life's gifts.

Tough on the way up, tough on the way down but good times...very good times.
Treading deftly was the hope and wish.
  Meeting interesting people adds to life’s mysteries, experiences and plain old fun. It’s not the length of the encounter or the feeling that one’s unlikely to ever meet these people again which can be disappointing, but rather that the person/s adds something new, maybe vital, humorous or the encounter resonates within one. As vital as having friends are to most people (including ourselves), there’s always going to be one thing missing—unfamiliarity. What do we mean by this? It’s hard to attain different perspectives, learn fresh ideas, experience novelty and newness from people one sees on a regular basis. Of course, there are many advantages in relationships and so this should never be construed as a criticism or considered negative. It works both ways—I become a bore within minutes of getting together, so my friends tell me. As long as we live life, usually within a pattern or routine, there’s a limit to the originality we can add to or derive from regular social meetings. Thus, when we meet people of completely different backgrounds, varying lifestyles, amusing/confusing/wacky/wild/eccentric/intelligent/etc. personalities, we’re going to learn something new and enjoy thought-provoking ideas, often being amused and uplifted. Yesterday was just one of many such occasions, previous occasions very much, too.

  Orpheus Rocks, visit 1.
Awfully stimulating on Orpheus Rocks.
Two days later back below in Smolyan, we take an unusual look down to see Orpheus Rocks above. Go figure!
Views from above. 

Tree life.
A tough climb exacerbated by the nature of the bush.
George 2 joins us but makes little contribution to Jen's progress.  

We came across BJ and Lek after hiking up what seemed to be a cliff-like ascent—actually, it was. We had continued along the path toward Orpheus Rocks, stopped at a board showing a map when this couple arrived to check out the map, too. We were in the way so we apologized and stepped to the side. We ended up conversing for at least forty minutes. BK is a self-described nihilist, raised in Switzerland now living in Thailand with Lek, his wife, a vibrant, local of that country. They both speak superb English while BJ, who builds yachts for a living, also speaks French, Italian, Thai, German, including a few dialects of the Swiss kind. When he was talking, I noted he had a bit of an Australian lilt which he agreed he’d picked up working with Aussies over the years. He also had dealings with South Africans, too. Well, you can’t have it easy all the time. With business slow following Covid, many Russian yachts having been confiscated, they took off in their small RV and travelled through Asia, arriving in Turkey and now Bulgaria. What a trip, what an experience. 

A couple of years ago, we were hiking in the Bay Area (outside San Francisco). We walked into an Aparthotel and the young woman receptionist recognized our accents. She was clearly a local but it turned out her father is South African of Afrikaans heritage who was managing the complex. We met Anton and spent time over our stay conversing with him. He’d had enough of San Francisco, big surprise, and had decided to return to Texas, his original American home. The daughter, Malina, was a charming young lady. Fast forward until two weeks ago when we were on a hike outside Bansko, Bulgaria when we passed a couple with their daughter of nearly 5 years. We see parents encouraging their children to hike on some strenuous trails or even dragging them up. We waved and continued to the peak. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the top and we began chatting. We went off to order some coffee as we were at Yavarov Hut, a place for hikers on long treks and others who are able to drive up over the rough road. The fellow asked us to join them for lunch. We loved the atmosphere within the hut and so put away our usual cereal and yoghurt and ordered something different. Turns out the man’s name was Anton, his wife was xxx and the feisty daughter was Malina. We have met two Malina’s in all our years and both have fathers of the same name, Anton not Malina. Once again, our conversation was lively, informative and revealing. Anton let us into a few secrets of business and dealing with various nationals. 

  Another impromptu meeting was with a couple outside Dumbierom on the peak overlooking the town. They were young people, aren’t they all, who own a coffee shop in the town of Brezno. They provided us with some insights into living in Slovakia. We felt fortunate that we had bumped into many people this trip who spoke wonderful English. One tends to feel inadequate and a little embarrassed by not speaking anything but English. The language is such a marvelous means of universal communication that it spoils us—it’s a powerhouse. In addition, used correctly, it truly is a wonderful language; there is no limitation to its functionality as well as sophistication. We hope modernists don’t succeed in dumbing it down. 

  A couple of weeks ago we met a young couple at a trailhead. We had just returned from the Canyon Lakes hike and the guy asked us something. It was something for, in Bulgarian, he might have asked us to ‘fill in the space’. Christo quickly switched to English and the conversation really got going. He had spent two years living in the Bay Area which opened the conversation immediately, not forgetting the well-spoken English of the couple. We also examined his Ford Bronco which he had imported into the country on his return. I hope he’s married to the woman he was with because she is delightful. I forgot to ask. 

  A few days later, after we had spent our nervous energy climbing via ferrata, we returned from the hike following the ‘wall’ and lo and behold, we recognized Christo and Todorka heading toward us on a trail. It was a terrific surprise and once again gives a person immediate upliftment. The young lady is named after a mountain in the Pirin range. 

  Two days after meeting Lek and BK, we decided to hike the reverse route, but include an additional section. Long story short, we missed a turn and added a 1,000 feet elevation gain and a couple of miles extra. Not only a long story but a long hike, too. Our mistakes are costly in terms of time and energy but there is a compensation to it. Yes, and what may that be? We always think of the concept: ‘Who benefits (Cui Bono)?’ Let me refocus. After about twenty minutes which included a climb on a cycle track that was so steep, we had to lean forward or else we would have toppled backwards. When we leveled out, Jen mentioned that she wondered how Lek and BK were. I looked up to the road ahead that crossed our path and lo and behold, along came their RV. Thirty minutes later we parted once more after another informative and enjoyable discussion. 

  Over the years, we have experienced some incredible coincidences as well as meeting fascinating people. It truly has added to our lives. 

One more slope to negotiate as we return home after a 'challenging' day—we prefer the description 'tough'—better to call it as it is.
Enough excitement for a day; Cheers!
Cheers again, 

Jenni and Jeffrey