The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.
Ramakrishna
one last family breakfast, and heartfelt goodbyes stalled by a battery in need of a jump. Fog all around as I drive away in a daze.
GERMANY
one last family breakfast, and heartfelt goodbyes stalled by a battery in need of a jump. Fog all around as I drive away in a daze.
AUSTRIA
drove until I couldn’t anymore, & found a field to fall into. First trial of camping alone made possible from exhaustion, rather than courage. Morning light revealed the distant white peaks of Austrian mountains, & neon roadside breakfast. I call a friend and book an Airbnb for that night.
SLOVENIA
rumor has it that car registration can be done without a residence card. This ends up being false, but my hopes are not crushed yet; more countries lie ahead. The Slovenian countryside charms me completely, with its fairytale villages and delicate brushtrokes of quiet. On my way out I get stopped and searched by an unmarked police vehicle, surprised to find that I was not smuggling people. “You are just you?!” …yes. “Alone??” Yep.
Regardless, I know I will be back some day.
CROSSROADS
I am tired of manual driving! Do I drive down the Italian coast and get on the ferry to Greece, or take the longer, more adventurous route through the Balkans?
CROATIA
long ago I dreamt of the sound washing through these steps. The Zadar Sea Organ makes music from ocean waves, like a siren calling me to my fate across the Balkans. I am
warm again, & finally enjoying the journey.
20 minute BOSNIA – HERZEGOVINA
crossing in the middle of CROATIA: or the world’s silliest arbitrary territory line.
MONTENEGRO
gale force winds pushed me towards the Adriatic sea, where I sat for a while admiring a shape of beauty I had not seen before. First country I see a street dog cross the road, but why did it do so?
ALBANIA
Whereas every other border crossing had my heart soaring, this one left me unmoved. Anxiety over media-driven stereotypes of dodgy Mercedes ruling the road had me feeling meek. Staying in a cold room in the crumbling capital did little to improve my sour preconceptions. Morning brought the joy of leaving, and with it friendly nods from locals in the sunshine.
