Day 96: Walking to the City

Weather Update Sunny: High 12°C

Elevation Above Sea Level: 39 Metres

A Sunny Stroll

Today was nice and sunny, though a jacket was still necessary due to the slight chill from the snow-capped mountains. I passed an unnamed place that used to be a fortress, now reduced to only walls. Houses have been built connecting to these walls and, in some areas, even on top of them. The castle itself, built over 500 years ago, now blends seamlessly into the community instead of standing as a tourist centre.

The Quest for Sistam Restoron

Yesterday, I tried to find a place called Sistam Restoron. Despite Google Maps insisting I was there, I couldn't locate it. After another attempt and a 6.2 km walk, I ended up back at the same spot, still unable to find it. Defeated but not discouraged, I hopped on a minibus back to the hostel, wrapped myself in warmth, and watched a movie.

The Summer Crowd

Trabzon and Samson, further down the coast, are brimming with hotels and become crowded with tourists during the summer months. Yesterday, the city was bustling with people, reminiscent of Christmas shopping. The rush made me feel out of place and uneasy as I preferred a slow, leisurely walk amidst the hurried crowd.

An Unexpected Friend

Amid the bustling city, I met a kind man from Ukraine who helped me find a place to sit down and have a beer. He led me to Le Shenars Restaurant and shared his story. He is from Kyiv, staying in Trabzon while the war is ongoing. He was on his way to Bulgaria to meet his family at the Moldovan border for a reunion. He can't return to Ukraine as he would be enlisted to fight—a fate he wishes to avoid. His story reminded me of the displaced Russians who escaped conscription. His kindness was a poignant moment of my journey, and I regret not taking his photo to remember him by.

Reflections and Future Plans

I hope you're enjoying following my travels and the diverse places I've visited. Trabzon was a spontaneous stop along the coast, avoiding a 19-hour bus ride—an experience that once made me hallucinate after 26 hours on a bus with the of taking. Not that I've taken LSD, but I know people who have