Tag: wandering

Surrounded by nature

Martyna1 Comment

As the days are getting longer, and the sun is shining on a cloudless sky more often, I feel the need to take advantage of that and get out of the city. On one Wednesday morning I hopped on a train and literally twelve kilometres later I found myself in a completely different environment. It seemed to me unbelievable that I’m living so close to nature and I’d never really been there on my own.

Without further hesitation, I went into the woods. Despite the fact it was early February, I could easily notice lots of green standing out from a snowless-winter scenery – stones covered with a thick layer of moss, dark ivy hanging from the trees, lush ferns following the path, acres of grass on the open fields. And most of all, first snowdrops which, together with an unusual high temperature, emphasised the upcoming spring even more.

Having the heavy yet somehow pleasant wind as a company, I reached the top… and my breath stopped for a moment. Even though the peak was merely a bit above 500 metres a.s.l. the view all around was simply astonishing. Perfect clarity of the air made it possible to see the snowy mountains far away in the north. I was speechless – but I could hear somewhere behind my back “Ah, che bello…!” I coudn’t agree more.

Back then I had no idea that a few days later I’d be watching the view from the opposite direction. I asked a friend about the plans for a weekend – and soon we were driving north, towards Dolomites. While gaining the height, the ground got thicker and thicker layer of snow, making it feel impossible that some kilometres ago there was no winter at all.

I can’t describe the awe I felt seeing a deeply frozen lake in front of a forest and rocky tops behind it. Hiking through the snow and with every single step getting closer to those peaks. Watching from above the valleys we were passing by not so long time ago. And thanks to the still air, being able to hear the real silence – sometimes interrupted by the flutter of bird’s wings or its singing. It made me realize how difficult it is to find a truly quiet place, and that we are always surrounded by sounds which we don’t really notice – untill they’re gone.

Every time I go somewhere, I come across such beauty that after coming back home I can’t believe it was real. No matter if that’s a few kilometres outside the city or a few hours of driving, a meeting with a squirrel in a park or a chamois high in the mountains, a stroll in a tiny forest or in a national park. I feel it’s not about the place in particular but more about our attitude. Being grateful for whatever happens, whatever we meet on our way.

That’s the most precious lesson I got last year.

Into the silence

Martyna2 Comments

Few days ago my inner adventure seeker called – it was time to go somewhere, anywhere, discover a new place on my own, in solitude. My first thought was Verona but I didn’t really feel like visiting a city. My soul cried for nature. Thus, in early morning I bought a train ticket, and two hours later, in the company of the rising sun, I ended up in Bassano del Grappa, a small town in the north, just by the mountains.

The moment I went out of the train, I felt a deep connection with that place. I realized how much I missed the view of the mountains in the horizon, something which I took for granted for most of my life, and the town itself made me feel somewhat… cosy. Nevertheless, I went through the old centre, and aimed towards a small hill. There’d be time for visiting the city a bit later.

I found the trail and entered the forest, and suddenly there was silence. Only the sound of my steps, birds above my head, and some quiet noises from far far away. That was exactly what I searched for: being just with myself, surrounded by trees, the scent of moist soil, hay on the wide fields and fresh air. I kept walking on muddy tracks and concrete roads, through the woods and tiny villages, on the tops and in the valleys, meeting barely two people on my way.

Then I saw a sign for a waterfall. I didn’t hesitate even for a second; I followed the indicated direction and after a while my jaw literally dropped. I’m still not sure if objectively the view was as astonishing as I saw it – but in that particular moment I felt like I finally found something I’d been seeking for so long. I reached a big stone laying in the middle of the stream, and let myself just sit on it and do… nothing. I was only catching the sunshine, listening to the calming sound of the running water and simply enjoying the moment.

I’m not sure how much time I spent there but it was a bit like a dream, being in such a beautiful place just on my own – and I’m not showing you the waterfall on purpose. No photo can truly resonate with what’s deep into our hearts.
Now when I think about it, that may sound a bit odd but then it occured to me like something obvious – despite the fact it was January, I took off my shoes and just stepped into the water. The cold made me feel alive, and in some way, connected.

I needed that tiny adventure just for myself, to take a deep breath from the crowds of the city, and charge my inner batteries. And I realized how important for me it is to experience nature alone. Even though I truly appreciate a company, sometimes I feel like I miss the details, focusing too much on a conversation or an akward silence.