In the Heart of the Balkans: A Journey Through Memory, Landscape, and People. New Roads on the Map of the Soul

Journeys are not merely journeys through geography; they are inner revelations, encounters with others, and recordings of the pulse of places. This summer, I travelled to the heart of the Balkans, where history accumulates, mountains bear witness, and people smile despite the weight of memory.

My journey began with my dear friends Shaker and Ihsan. We set off from Sarajevo in Bosnia, passing through cities and countries that left an unforgettable impression at each stop.

Comrades in the Path... When Patience is Tested and Friendship is Refined

Long journeys reveal not only cities but also souls. When three men share the same journey, meals, laughter, and fatigue in more than six countries, the days become an accurate mirror of what lies within.

We spent days together in the car, in the café, in the market, in apartments and hotels, on the sidewalks of old cities and wide streets. It wasn't always easy; fatigue, multiple daily decisions, and different moods were enough to create tension or misunderstandings. However, Shaker and Ihsan proved to be both travel companions and soulmates.

With his calm and open-mindedness, Shaker was like pouring cold water on moments of tension. He could read the moment without words, leave space for others, and suggest without imposing.

With his presence and cheerful spirit, Ihsan drove the car, shared stories, and gently managed moments of silence without us feeling annoyed. At certain moments, his presence was necessary to restore balance or add warmth when fatigue dampened morale.

With them, I felt that true friendship is revealed not in pleasantries, but in those small details: Who chooses the lunch spot? Who suggested the travel song that Ihsan had previously recorded on a USB playlist? Who endures a longer journey in silence? And who laughs, even if they're tired, just because you told a joke?

The travel test is a hidden test of friendship. We passed it together, and we came closer than before.