Mountains and Big Smiles

Daily miles: 30.77 | Total miles: 12,351.71

I slept unbelievably well, even though the alarm still rang at 6:10 am. I packed my things and carried everything downstairs, where Dimitria immediately appeared to greet me. As I was getting ready, I noticed a flat tire on the left wheel and thought, ohhh… and then smiled. Gentle Wellbeing month. No need to worry.

Dimitria offered me a coffee, but I said I needed to fix the tire and finish packing first. While I was changing the tube, she went about her chores, quietly watching me. I think she was a little amused that I could do it myself. Once the tire was fixed and I was almost ready to leave, she came out of her room with a plate holding two scone-like pastries and placed it on the table, motioning for me to sit down. There was no way I could say no.

Then she appeared again with three eggs in her hand, showed them to me, put them in a pan with water, and set them on the gas stove. I told her I don’t like soft eggs, so we waited a bit longer. Breakfast turned into three hard-boiled eggs and two scones. Even without sharing a common language, we connected so easily. After breakfast, we hugged, and I stepped out feeling deeply grateful for such a loving start to the day.

The morning was beautiful, mountains all around, full of promise. I walked all the way down what I had climbed the day before and immediately met a man with a donkey. Today was full of animals: horses, donkeys, ponies, cattle, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, roosters, and birds of all sizes, some standing on impossibly steep hillsides.

I also saw many people working incredibly hard—collecting rocks to build, gathering wood to heat, shepherds guiding their sheep. Houses looked like dollhouses, some missing front walls, many with broken or absent windows patched with fabric. Cars passed by with people smiling, waving, flashing peace signs, thumbs up. On the steep climbs and descents, I’m sure it looked funny: me pushing the buggy uphill with all my strength and then running easily downhill.

I met wonderful people along the way—a man sitting on a hill enjoying the view, two content creators filming the landscape with a drone, a man running a tiny mini market on top of a hill, and many others. I enjoyed today so much. I walked with a big, fat smile on my face all day. Maybe that’s why everyone else smiled back, or maybe that’s just how I perceived it.

The landscape was grand, expansive, and powerful. When I arrived in Qeparo, the people at my accommodation were friendly and kind. The children help out in the restaurant and with the rooms—great teamwork. The heater is fully cranked up, just the way I like it, and I’m excited about the running here.

Let’s go.

Thanks for checking in, Andrea