Day 14) Somewhere on a beach

The first thing I visited today was the beach. Here in Varna there is a village that consists only of hotels. Officially, you have to be a guest at a hotel to stay there. But my host told me they would let me in if I look like a normal beach tourist. So I put my beach bag over my shoulders and put on a hat and sunglasses to really look like a tourist. From now on, I'm no longer a backpacker. I'm a typical package tourist from Germany. I throw away all my knowledge of English, as well as my understanding of other cultures. I have no clue what city I'm in again, as I took a taxi directly from the airport here and demand that the staff understand my Bavarian dialect. But I'll definitely come back to the Mediterranean next year because I like it here so much. Description is based on overheard conversations ;)

But behold, it works. I'm lying on the dreamy beach, waiting for roasted pigeons to fly into my mouth.

In the afternoon, I laughed with my hosts about the tourists while also toasting to the 4th of July. It's quite funny to travel through all of Europe and then celebrate the American Independence Day with two Americans and an Argentinian...

In the evening, I visit Golden Sands. But what is advertised as the biggest party mile east of the Mediterranean is ultimately just a large tourist bazaar. I decided to make the best of it and stroll through the bazaar. Most stands sell the usual tourist junk, but sometimes you can find cool stuff. I bought a cup with Vladimir Putin's face and the inscription 'With love from Russia' at one stand. But that's just the beginning. You can buy Putin in front of the Soviet flag, Putin in a Real Madrid jersey, or even Putin together with Lenin, both raising their arms in a Hitler salute. It's really crazy how Putin is turned into a caricature here. Or maybe it's all meant to be serious? oO

The longer the bazaar lasted, the more it reminded me of my last vacation in Turkey in the summer of 2013, the best summer of my life. Because here you can find a similar assortment as at a Turkish bazaar. Bracelets with your name on them, tattoos with your girlfriend's name, 'Original' Beats for only 20 Leu (10 Swiss Francs), and even Turkish delight, which is promoted here as a Bulgarian specialty. The memory of three years ago washes over me like a drug and I float through the bazaar, buying something here and looking at something there. Suddenly, I find myself completely alone behind the last hotel, with a long, deserted stretch of beach in front of me. In my haze, I decide to swim towards the sunset. In that moment, in the waters of the Black Sea, two things become clear to me. First: I have arrived at the easternmost point of my journey. On the other side of the water lies Asia: Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, etc. The travel bug runs through me, the other side of the shore is calling me. The second, and almost more important, realization is this: Here, in this melting pot of memories from the time when I was still a 'child' (is 2013 really only three years ago?) and the call of the distant future, I feel like I am finally crossing the threshold into adulthood. Damn, I've traveled across all of Europe by train. I'm swimming in the Black Sea, at the eastern edge of Europe. And I've traveled completely alone. Here, in the water at the easternmost point of my journey, it seems like the moment has come to let go of the past and only look towards the future. The distance is calling, and I'm listening eagerly. It's an incredible feeling out here. I feel the freedom and madness of youth. The memory of the past, the thoughts of the future. The wanderlust of the old explorers, the spirit of the Ottoman, Russian, and Teutonic conquerors who have already made a stop in this city. I feel a feeling that I can hardly describe. Freedom? Spirit of exploration? Or even...

Happiness?