We reached a small, dirty village called Stanimika. It was home to Greeks who made wine and silk, but spent most of their time in the bad cafes. I drank cherry syrup while my friend went out to negotiate for mules to take us to the monastery. There was a lot of bargaining. Since we couldn’t find riding saddles, we had to settle for pack saddles, and we borrowed some old pillows and rugs from an innkeeper. We set off with stirrups made from rope. My mule was large and thin, and sitting on top of the packing felt like being stuck on the hump of a camel The Pomaks Bulgarian Muslims.
The Climb to St. Petka Monastery
As the day began to fade and the warmth lingered, we climbed the steep, rocky path. The mules moved carefully over the broken boulders, and our progress was slow. The sound of their hooves echoed as we made our way into the courtyard of St. Petka Monastery. The monastery had simple, plain walls and was built long ago by a successful brigand who wanted to do something good for his soul before his death.
A Warm Welcome at the Monastery
The monks greeted us warmly, except for the chief monk, an old man of ninety who had lived there for forty years. Twenty years ago, he decided he was too old to climb the mountain path, so he never left the monastery again Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.
The View from the Monastery
I went out onto a balcony, which was like an eagle’s nest on a rocky ledge. From there, I could see the plain of Thrace, looking dull like a faded carpet. Suddenly, a cold wind blew through the warm air, making the trees shiver. The sky darkened, and a streak of amber light broke through the clouds, turning red. The atmosphere grew tense as the wind howled along the mountains and the trees creaked. Then, the rain came, first in slow, heavy drops, but soon it turned into a downpour. The world seemed to disappear under the rain, and the air was filled with the sound of thunder and lightning. It was an amazing sight.
The Calm After the Storm
After the storm, everything became still. The sky cleared, and pale blue light peeked through the clouds. The birds, which had been frightened, started singing again. The evening arrived gently, like a peaceful prayer.
