Unexpected journey back home to Bulgaria - Ruse and the Caves
It has been an absolute pleasure for me to go back home after a year and a half. To see the place I have grown up, where I was brought up and made into the person I am today. This blog post is for all the women in my life that have made a huge sacrifice to help me become a better person and follow my dreams and heart simultaneously - my mom Silvena, my sister Francheska and both of my nans Dora and Zdravka.
My sister and mom outside the car in a sunflower field on our way back home from the trip to Prohodna cave
I travel back and forth to revisit places I think I know to find out a new thing that makes me question why I do the things I do in the way I do them. Creatively, this allows me to think about concepts in multiple ways and explore different ways of delivering the same ideas without losing my authenticity and style of work. In the same sense, I rely on my relationships with my family and friends to inhale and exhale this creative air. As you know (or you don't), Ruse is the city of the free spirit, (click here for more information) and I am so proud to be born in this part of Bulgaria. I would highly recommend it for cultural and dining experiences because of its great selection of restaurants, eating spots, museums and other cultural establishments and events. In fact, for the first time since I was born there, I have seen people from China and Mexico exploring the city centre and that filled me in with a hope. It was nice for a change to see something positive despite the difficult economic situation that this country is in. Seeing everyone and hearing their thoughts has made me more appreciative of what I have done and achieved for the time I have moved to the UK but also it has lifted up a pressure of my shoulders about the wellbeing of everyone I care for.
A sunset over Danube river in Ruse, Bulgaria
For the week and a couple of days, I was home, I was very busy helping my nan with hospital appointments and having this chance to spend a bit more time with her was a heavenly gift for me. It wasn't the thing I had in mind but you know what - it doesn't matter. Sometimes, in life, you have to do things that are of great importance and put yourself second. I am glad I did that. One of the days I spend with my grandma, we were laying in bed and she held my face up close in her hands and told me 'You have grown into this beautiful person... and I have aged a lot.' This was frankly a tearful moment for me because we all realise where we stand at this moment in life and I simply appreciated her love towards me. It brought me back to when I was in kindergarten and... it was one of those magical and personal moments. I will hold this moment close to my heart forever - keep it warm and safe with me everywhere I go.
During the week, I had two great trips with my mom and sister to the Orlova Chuka cave and the Prohodna cave, where I saw the natural phenomenon 'The Eyes of God'. It was so good to be able to reconnect with them and just do the things we have always done as a family - explore more of our country.
Together with my mom under 'The Eyes of God'
Where in Orlova Chuka I was impressed by the shapes of the cave and its long and beautiful galleries (filled with mosquitoes), the Prohodna cave was an experience in its own category. A totally different and very refreshing journey. I loved the little hiking we did to explore further the area and my family are very enthusiatic when it comes to 'selfies' and 'mobile photography'. The images you see in this post are just few of the ones we have taken, which I think might have been more than 100.
A sunflower field in Lukovit, Bulgaria
This 2 hours and 30 minutes journey back and forth was so worth it as on our way back we agreed to get some nice photos in a sunflower field. Well, it was done but I have to say this was the only image I really liked:
Yes, I am making out with this one 🌻
The conclusion is that some journeys are not supposed to be work-related but something for your personal well-being. Don't disconnect from the people you love or care about, they need you as much as you need them. Photography is only a tool that keeps these connections and memories alive but you are the ingredient to achieve a happy life.
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