Skakavac Large waterfall outside of Sarajevo
Spring awaits exploration
I am strong again. The hole in my ear drum has fully healed and I no longer wake up to pus and blood stains on my pillow. This sickness was pretty bad, and I would have to rate it as one of the worst I have experienced. There was a period of about 10 days where I thought I might never hear out of my left ear again, and I quickly realized how many things in life I take for granted. I am so thankful to be able to travel the world again. While recuperating I wondered Sarajevo through and through. I would often find myself glancing up at the remote mountains or snowed peaks always dreaming of camping in the countryside. Life on the road is hard, but I thoroughly missed it. I have met lots of interesting people here in; bars, restaurants, wilderness trails, and bus stops, all of them seem excited to talk with me and offer interesting perspectives on life. There is no limit to the amount of human interaction one can experience while traveling alone, all borders are self-imposed. I at times grow weary of the recurring conversation of my trip, and at times decide to remain quiet. We are fearful of leaving the current in the stream, and it is so much easier to continue the path that pulls us.
Abandoned and destroyed by the war, 5 star hotel built for the 1984 Olympics on Mt. Ingman
Common warning throughout the Bosnian countryside, “Danger Land Mines!”
As early as I can remember, I have looked at the palm of my right hand. In some way it has been a sort of recurring obsession, not unlike the portrait of Dorian Grey. Palm reading is rather popular in Asian traditions, and since I was a boy I had healers foretell the creases in my hand. My “life-line” has a large gap in it, meaning “that I will choose or change directions in my life, or will have a short life span”. This has always been a sign of some concern to my father and at one point he even told me to start closing my hand in a different way, hoping to change the lines, gradually get them to intersect. No amount of technique could change the lines, and it has taken me close to 25 years to really understand what it all means: Get over yourself and your fucking ego. Thoughts, fears, feelings, insecurities don’t make you a unique snow flake, these are things that we all share. I have too often made the excuse that ” I am special”, but the rest of the world feels the same way. We are not as important as we want to be, we are all just pieces of thread from the same clothe. I felt like the Bedouin in Egypt and Jordan were way ahead of me with these ideals, and were able to take life less seriously because of it.
I am changing gears. The last 4-6 months have been spent wandering, awaiting warmer conditions to pedal east. It is now the time…Asia awaits. Thank you all for the “Get well soon” wishes, and I now ready to pedal out of Europe.
Last trip with Baba 
Juhuuu 🙂 Julian!
you are back on a road!
I am happy for you.
I wish you good journey out of Europe.
/
inese
I miss you Inese!!
I hope you are well
Julian
Miss you as well and your creativity to live life easier!!
All is well and i am preparing for new male nude exhibition on may 🙂
Have a lot of sun!!
Inese
Hi Julian,
Glad your better and on your way. Spring is here and it’s already 90 degrees! Thanks for the post as I’ve been concerned. Carla
Good to hear from you Carla! I just pedaled into Montenegro, what a country! Mountains coved in snow, turquoise lakes and lots of rain. I am constantly asked about where I got my middle eastern tan, looking forward to seeing the sun again.
Take care
Julian
happy to hear that all is well!
ear infection sounded horrible!!!!
-bryan ritchie
Hey Bryan
Good to hear from you amigo. The infection was pretty bad, in the future if a doctor asks you if you want a myringotomy preformed on your ear drum. Say no.
Hope all is well man!
Julian
Julian, Glad to have you back. Your posts are great. Keep things coming and avoid ear infections! Much love, GF Todd
Thanks Grandfather!! Been thinking about you! I hope the knee is healing well and that you will be fit for some hiking next time we are together at the cabin!
Glad you are better!!! Travel with all our love. We are waching you:-) Nino and Yuba
So much rain in Montenegro!! The rakija is very cheap though, and last night I camped in a hail storm.
-Julian
Glad your feeling better, sorry you have been not feeling well. Your body telling you to slow down and listen in a different way … I’d honor you!!! …
Short life line.. Hmm from what I remember you have a long great life in your hand…. Time to celebrate, today, Chablis and peanut butter and some kale .. And popcorn of course!
See you soon!
Teapot
I surely miss the kale and popcorn. I think the last time I had popcorn it was something of the microwave nature, with a hit of plastic taste if I am correct. I could go for some kale and sprouts but the weather out here in Montenegro is so cold and rainy that I would probably wither away with a classic Santa Monica diet. Just finished a super greasy sausage and butter sandwich, washed down with two cups of coffee. I am sure you would approve of the coffee. Ciao amiga!!