A million people per year visit the Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro. It’s a site of significance for a great number of people, and many walk barefoot up the stairs to the monastery as part of their pilgrimage to this sacred place, often in search of something for their lives, meaning, truth, healing… As we cycled up the many switchbacks to this picturesque monastery built into the mountains, I couldn’t help but think about whether our cycling trip is a pilgrimage, of sorts.
Perhaps ours is not a pilgrimage in the strictest sense, as it is not for religious reasons. We did join the millions of people who have climbed to the Ostrog Monastery using their own power, but for us, it is more a spiritual journey than a religious one. It has been a way for us to discover on our own what is really necessary in our lives, and not what our American culture has indoctrinated us with.
We don’t need a car, we don’t need more than a few sets of clothing, we don’t need a lot of space, and we don’t need to collect “stuff” to be happy. This trip has put a lot of things in perspective because on many days, we are focused on only our most basic needs: water, food, shelter, companionship. Focusing on life in this way is so core to who we are as humans, but few of us in our modern world ever experience this.
Maybe I’m stretching the definition, but maybe it’s possible to see this trip as a spiritual pilgrimage to the unexpected corners of the world in order to learn more about our spirituality and how we fit in with this world.
If you made it this far through my stream of consciousness, here are some pretty photos as a thank you! ?
Ostrog Monastery
Us in front of the entrance to Ostrog Monastery. We couldn’t go in because they require long pants.
Lonely tree set over a dramatic cliff on the road up
Steve climbing one of the final switchbacks to Ostrog
Lake near Nikšić
Kotor Bay, the smoke is from brush fires
Our Lady Of The Rocks, a man made island with a church on it.
Brush fires in Montenegro. Luckily they seem to have them under control now, and they didn’t affect our trip.
An amazing punjena pljeskavica (stuffed hamburger) in Nikšić for 2€!
Šopska salad has become an important part of our diet whenever we can find it.
Boiled is better than fried, I suppose…
Can’t get away from the bees here, but they don’t bite often and there is amazing honey for sale everywhere! Plus the fresh peaches and nectarines are to die for!
This is the sign leading up to Mikulići Nature Park, a legendary stop for backpackers and cyclists in Croatia. Marko has been offering a free place to camp in his peaceful grounds for years, and we met at least 8 others spending the night, including James, who has been staying there for over a year now, working on various business ideas and projects including growing a pomegranate farm and building a tourist train project to take advantage of the rapidly growing tourism industry in the area. www.cirothetrain.com
And he we are with Marko (far right) and James next to him. Amazing guys, we listened to Marko’s crazy stories of life in Canada, Hawaii, and Croatia for hours. Would have loved to stay longer but after 5 days off the bike waiting for repairs, we were itching to ride again.
This was great for me to read as Henry and I are making a pilgrimage to a tiny house in Encinitas (450 sq feet). It’s getting rid of all that is the issue.
See you when you return.
xocathi
Getting rid of everything was the hardest part by far, but it is SO WORTH IT!!
I can’t wait to pedal to your tiny house when we return in 2019. Good Luck with the downsizing. You can do it and will feel amazing afterwards and hardly miss any of the “stuff”
hi friends, i agree cycling is a spiritual pilgramage. often while biking alone i feel like i’m on a meditation retreat. hours of self thoughts, and observation. of me and world. and yes, beautiful experiences. thank you for sharing your view of the world. yea for simplicity.
I always look forward to the reading your updates and learning from them too.
So much serenity in your trip and your writings it soothes my soul. Much of what we do alone and with our thoughts allows us to be in tune with nature. Love the pictures. The lonely tree in the edge of the road is doing it’s part to hold the ground together. While inspecting it in full screen I noticed Steve has developed the physicality of Atlas. My goodness, the shoulders and biceps along with the legs. Gee whiz, I’ve never seen you look so healthy and happy Steve. Is that a cut on your left leg near your sock? Typical parental response I suppose. I know you are both taking care of any medical problems.
Now that we are no longer traveling, this blog makes life more exciting. Reminds me of trips we’ve taken to Mexico, China and Canada. Never on bicycles but still so much different than the everyday grind at work.
Life changes as we age and our level of daily challenges to maintain ourselves becomes our norm. Thank you both so much for sharing your experiences.
This internet sharing is amazing.
Hi Tim and Steve ……I loved Montenegro…climbed up to the lookout in 35 degrees Centigrade…….I keep wondering how you handle security. If you pitch your tent or leave your bikes and anything happened ( it doesn’t bare thinking about ) as you go further east this may become an issue . Take care … Nigel
We have a good bike lock and never leave our bikes unattended or leave any valuables in our tent whenever possible. Most of the places we visit are much safer than the USA, anyway.