Last summer I visited the most beautiful island ever, Samothraki, in North Greece.
I don’t remember how many times I said, “How on earth was this made?”
Picture this: It's like nature decided to dig these wild swimming pools right into the heart of the mountain. That's what 'vathres' are. There are these incredibly cool spots where the waterfall meets the land, creating a natural chill-out zone.
But it's not some tame, landscaped thing.
It's raw and untamed, which is kind of how nature intended it to be. Rock meets water in a crazy dance, and you're not sure who's leading, but what's the result? It's awesome. The water's freezing, by the way. But on a hot day, nothing could be better.
An unreal place, like you had entered one of Stainbeck's books.
While it’s a magical place for hiking, it has dangerous spots, and every year there are accidents and even deaths.
I hadn't had any problems, though, during my first week there, until that day.
The Mistake
That morning, along with three of my friends, I decided to revisit the Old Woman's Pool.
I walk a bit fast in general, and that day was the first one that my back wasn’t bothering me, so I was way more hyped, and soon I left my friends behind,
It wasn't until I paused to catch my breath and look around that I realized - I had strayed off the trail and was now standing at the base of a steep mountain slope.
When I realized that I was out of my way, it was too late because it was pretty dangerous to climb down again.
So, I decided to continue on my way until I could find a safer spot to climb down again.
I walked and I walked and I walked for hours, but I remember that despite the uncertainty, stress, and minor injuries, I realized that I was walking in places where very few people have been.
I have felt the same a few times before, and it's a weird but awesome feeling.
After a while, I heard this familiar sound - water. Up ahead was the largest 'vathra' I'd ever seen. It was like stumbling upon a secret haven. Just a huge natural pool, shimmering water, surrounded by rocks. I was the only one there. Unreal, right?
I remember my friend’s face and expression as I was falling down.
I landed on my feet and into his hug... The time froze, but my first sentiment wasn’t relief.
It was anger.
Anger because I forced my friends to see that scene, anger because I fell in the very last spot, anger because I was lucky once again.
Yet, as I realized a few months later, that wasn't my greatest regret.
The Regret
All these hours that I was worrying that I wouldn’t make it, I was thinking about the Lady
We had split ways a few months ago, but our connection, our bond, hadn't faded.
All I could think of were all the things I never said to her, how much I love her, and how much of a blessing the time I spent with her was despite all the mistakes and shitstorms.
I thought to send her a video so that in case I couldn't make it once my phone reconnected with civilization, she would receive my final words.
But I didn't.
I thought that would be such a tragic experience for her, so the only thing I should do is try my best to come out alive and tell her everything in person.
I didn’t do that either, and I don’t know exactly why.
I guess I was too scared. Scared of getting rejected, scared of pushing her away. So I waited for the perfect moment, which never came.
While I did tell her the story when I saw her, I didn’t mention this part.
That came later, in a ten-page letter.
A letter she never replied to.
In the end, I guess it was too late.
I think it’s time to tell you why I spent two days writing this story just before a very important week for me.
I used to believe that a very powerful, nearly deadly experience could change me and make me the person I wanted to be.
That it would take away all the fears, pain, and self-doubt.
I was wrong.
The winter following that summer was the darkest one of my life. I went straight into a void that I didn’t know could exist.
So while it’s cliche, the change that we want for ourselves is a day-to-day thing, it needs time, and usually, we need help—other people to show us the way and unlock all those parts we are hiding trying to fit everything under a mask.
Don’t wait for the right moment, the perfect opportunity, for the things that really matter—the unconditional ones.
Don’t wait for tomorrow; it may never come.
With all my love, thank you for reading this.
Senti
All comments (2)
Senti i love what you wrote! I'm literally crying man! Thanks for sharing and i will keep it in mind every moment and thanks to this story i will never forget! Thanks
I am looking at your comment for like 10 minutes. A thank you ain't enough but I hope it will be. It took me so many hours to write and you just made it worth it. Thank you so much Pablo <3.