Autumn- the Season of Melancholical Beauty

As the autumn progresses and the days get shorter, wetter and colder, the combination between the dark, misty, often gloomy atmosphere which is characteristic for this season and the exquisite beauty of its natural landscapes generate contrasting states in my mind and soul.

I cannot deny it: whenever the sunny, often annoyingly hot, but also joyful summer days are over and the first signs of the fall appear I feel slightly uncomfortable as I have to come to terms with the fact that once again the sunshine will be replaced for the next half a year by rain, cold, darkness, and eventually the unforgiving frost of the winter. Although I have to go through this transition every year, as I have done ever since I was born, and I know that it's the natural thing that happens in a country with a temperate climate, I still can't avoid the feelings of sadness associated with this yearly passage from summer to fall.

The feeling of melancholy is almost inevitable during this period of the year and I'm convinced that a huge number of people who live in countries whose climate can be generally characterized as temperate are affected by it, and they have to make serious efforts to fight these negative moods which can certainly lead to depression and other serious mental and physical health issues.

One of the ways in which I try to keep this state of sadness under control and prevent it from taking over my mind is to go beyond the dark, the cold and the rain associated with this season, and see the outstanding beauty of nature in the autumn. If the weather allows me to get out of town and make some short trips in the surrounding areas and I have to admit that the first part of this autumn has been unbelievably hot, with temperatures soaring way above the normal the average for this time of the year(which is definitely not a good sign, but more than likely an indication of the fact that the effects of global warming are getting stronger and stronger in my country), I take full advantage of this unexpected opportunity during the weekend days, but even if a walk in the park is enough to change my mood as I immerse myself, even for a short while, in the beauty of the autumn landscape.

The exquisite symphony of colors which gives the impression that the hills around my town are in fact giant paintings with an incredible variety of nuances and tones, the distinctive sound made by the carpet of fallen leaves as I step on the alleys of the park or the hilltops shrouded in mist after the rain create a remarkable variety of images and sounds that have a healing effect on my sound as the inevitable melancholy associated with fall mixes with wonder and admiration at the splendors I discover all around me. It is enough to open my eyes and see how lovely nature is even during a season I generally dislike to realize that all we need to do it is see beyond the appearances to discover the beauty of the autumn, just as we have to explore our souls and go beyond its surface to discover the true beauty which lies deep within ourselves!

A Hike in the Forest near Slănic Moldova

Huayna Picchu- a Priority on My Bucket List

 

I haven’t compiled a definitive bucket list on paper yet, but if anyone asks me to name one place in the world I want to visit above all the others, my answer will be, without any hesitation, Machu Picchu, the best-preserved city of the Incas which, thanks to its strategic positioning in the heart of the Andes has fortunately escaped the destructive wrath of the conquistadores.

However, after watching many videos about Machu Picchu and its unique location, I realized that the mountain peak which rises right next to this fabulous wonder of the world, Huayna or Wayna Pichu, is no less fascinating than the Inca city itself, as it also features spectacular temples and Inca ruins. Therefore, when I think about the magical moment of finally reaching this fabulous stronghold of the mighty Inca Empire, I already imagine myself facing a dilemma: Shall I climb the stairs to the top of Huayna Picchu as well or shall I avoid such an adventurous hike?

It is obvious from the Youtube videos I have watched so far that the trail to the summit of Huayna Pichu is not recommended for people who fear heights. It is a journey made on steep, sometimes very narrow steps on which tourists have to be extremely focused to avoid a tragedy. There are also steel cables which help them in the most difficult portions of the trail, which indicate how dangerous this trek really is, and from what I have seen the descent is even scarier as there are segments in which the stairs are so steep that tourists actually have to crawl their way down until they return to the foothills of Huayna Pichu!

It is also true, however, that those who choose the entire package and include Huayna Picchu in their itinerary are rewarded with some truly exhilarating views once they reach the top; to see Machu Picchu and the entire area surrounding it from above must be a unique experience, which I would like to live one day. I am convinced that all the people who were there didn’t regret their choice of climbing Huayna Picchu for a single second. It is a hike which might also occupy a high position in my bucket list, but for now, all I can do is watch how people who visited those fabulous places lived some truly extraordinary moments in the Peruvian Andes.

The Wolf Seems to Be My Animal Spirit Guide

 

One of the activities I do when I want to chill out is to solve quizzes . I discovered that some of those quizzes are quite interesting as they can help me find out new things about the world and maybe even about myself.

For example, earlier today I made a quiz which would reveal my animal spirit guide or totem. Although I did it just for fun because I can’t say that I truly believe in such stuff yet, I have to admit that I liked the result when I found out that my animal spirit guide is the wolf.

As soon as I read the description of the meanings which this animal spirit can offer, I could identify myself with the main characteristics of the wolf, both positive and negative. Thus, I think intelligence and a strong appetite for freedom are features which characterize me, but at the same I can also relate to a rather negative characteristic such as lack of trust in people or even in myself.

Of course, doing a quiz on an entertaining site isn’t enough to convince me of the existence of these animal spirits, in which many populations truly believe, but it certainly raised my curiosity about this topic. Will I be able to connect with my animal spirit if it really exists? Will it appear in my dreams and offer me guidance? Will it help me overcome the obstacles of real life? These are still unanswered questions, but that’s exactly what makes this discovery so exciting for me.

Anyway, I’m glad my spirit animal is a wolf and not a snake, as I can see that other people got after doing the quiz. Of course, the snake is a symbol of wisdom and spiritual guidance, but I really prefer wolves to appear in my dreams instead of snakes! Should I believe in the power of such existence? I have no idea, but I’m confident that one day I will find an answer. Until then, I will try to find out if the sharp instincts and deep intelligence of my wolf spirit can really guide me on the rough path of life!

Mountain Roads- Often Scary, Always Fascinating

 

Last year, as part of a summer trip to some of the natural and cultural landmarks of Romania, I had the chance, among other great exploits, to travel on some truly unforgettable mountain roads, such as the one from Curtea de Arges to Vidraru Dam, a journey full of extraordinary sights and discoveries which left me with great memories that will be never be deleted from my mind.

As the trip was made at a relaxed pace, there were several stops along the way until we reached the dam, so there were plenty of opportunities to take pictures. However, the almost indescribable beauty of the mountain landscape was also scary. As the road was going higher and higher it was more difficult to look down at the canyons under it., and going close to the edge of the road was obviously dangerous, as the view of the deep ravines below was a warning to everyone to be extremely cautious. Definitely, it wasn’t a trip recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

This combination of feelings and mental states which ranged from wonder at the incredible natural beauty of the mountain to fear of the frightening ravines below is a truly remarkable experience. It can also be your last adventure too, if you feel too cocky and ignore the danger by going too close to the margin on the road. That’s why I preferred to keep a little distance from the guard rails, and even so I can’t deny that I was feeling a little anxious, and now when I look back at the photos made on that occasion, I almost relive those stunning moments. Mountain roads are truly splendid, but they can also, be highly dangerous, so we must always be very cautious when we are there.

The Light Will Always Shine at the End of the Tunnel

 

Whenever we travel across a mountain road the chances of passing through tunnels carved into the rock are quite significant. For me, they are symbolic of the obstacles we encounter in our existence because life can also be seen as a long journey in which happy moments alternate with dark passages. There are short tunnels which can be crossed by car within a few seconds; they represent in my view the minor obstacles we have to deal with daily. They cause us a little discomfort, but we usually have enough strength to overcome them and continue our journey into the unknown.

However, from time to time we also come across extremely long and dark tunnels. Once we enter them, we're not sure how long it will take before we reach the light again, and thus we are in danger of becoming overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and even depression. It is during those dark moments of our lives that we have to remember that there is a way out of every tunnel and if we are strong enough, the dark and frightening tunnels can't stand in our way.
As we sink deeper and deeper into the obscurity there comes a moment when we see a point of light which grows bigger and bigger as we're heading to the tunnel exit. All we have to do is always go forward until we're back into the light; if we believe in ourselves and we keep our mental strength and determination we are unlikely to get lost in the tunnel.

The feelings of joy and relief we have once we find the light again are symbolic for those truly special moments in our lives when we realize we managed to overcome the obstacles, but of course, the long journey through life continues and there will be many other tunnels, some smaller and others long and scary, to cross before we reach the end of the road. It's an often difficult, but always fascinating trip in which we learn a lot of things about ourselves and everything that we encounter in our path!

Unforgettable Football Matches: Deportivo's Miraculous Comeback

 

Some time ago, while searching for the latest soccer news on the FIFA  site, I stumbled upon a photo gallery which took me eleven years back into the past and made me relive one of the most incredible Champions Leagues match ever: the second leg of the quarter-final between Deportivo La Coruna and AC Milan which took place on April 7, 2004.

After the first leg, things were more than clear: Milan had obtained a convincing 4-1 win and they were already making plans for the semi-finals. After all, they were the title holders and they were also undoubtedly the team of the moment in Europe. Therefore, I considered that the second leg would be a formality for them and I preferred to stay out later that night and miss the first half of the game.

Imagine my surprise when I entered home and found out that Depor were leading 3-0 at halftime thanks to the goals scored by Pandiani, Valeron, and Luque! It was simply unthinkable for an Italian club, and especially a giant like AC Milan, to receive three goals in one half! But on the other hand, Super Depor had earned the reputation of a giant killer in both Spain and the Champions League. It seemed that nothing was impossible for that fantastic team which had earned so many fans exactly for its fearless, unique offensive style used against the powerhouses of European soccer.

I watched the second half nervously, hoping that the miracle would continue until the end. After all, one goal from Milan would have saved the Italians from disaster, but it didn’t happen. Depor was in complete control of the match and when the captain Fran scored the 4-0 goal, I knew it: The miracle has been completed!

It rarely happens to me to watch the replay of a soccer match if I know its results, in the case of the legendary Depor vs. Milan clash I made an exception and watched the entire game again the next day. What an amazing team that SuperDepor! They were bound for glory, they were definitely the most entertaining team in Europe.

Sadly, Tristan, Pandiani, Valeron and all the other legendary players stopped in the semi-finals, when Jose Mourinho and its extremely pragmatic FC Porto side found the antidote for SuperDepor’s enchanting style of play, and even more sadly from that moment on the decline started and the Galician team fell into obscurity and it has recently reached a truly low point when it was relegated to the Spanish third division in the summer of 2020!

However, the legend of Javier Irureta's Superdepor and its stunning thrashing of AC Milan will remain forever embedded in football history as the greatest achievement of a small team that made its fans dream of European glory.