Why must I have the will to live? I understand that I am neither intellectually gifted nor valuable in various aspects. It seems unlikely that these qualities will help me or aid in achieving a meaningful life goal. The beginning of this might not be very encouraging, but I must tell you a true story: When I was eighteen, I lived with my parents. One day, as I was about to take a shower, I noticed an ant near the drain. Without much thought, I picked up the ant and released it into the grass in our garden, then went back inside to take my shower. Four years later, at […]
I have no desire whatsoever to visit Tahiti or any other sun-drenched locales. Is this normal? Upon receiving tickets, one might assume everyone would immediately yearn to go. I felt the same way. Why? Because I’ve already traveled extensively across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa—Oceania was the only continent left unexplored. From May to June last year, I spent precisely 28 days in French Polynesia, not just in Tahiti. I harbored prejudices: that it would be flashy and garish. Yet, it proved otherwise! Having lived in Saint-Tropez for eight years, I know it differs greatly… The landscapes are breathtaking, the sea’s clarity akin to a vast pool, abundant vegetation, Polynesian […]
What’s it like to live in four seasons? For someone like me from Northern Europe, living with four seasons is just the norm. We expect ongoing change in nature, temperature, and precipitation patterns, with short periods of stability. But we always know what’s coming next because we’ve seen it all before. Right now, for instance, here in northern Sweden, spring is on its way. It’s mid-April, and there’s still snow around, which is normal, but it’s retreating, revealing brown grass underneath. We know the grass will turn green as soon as the temperatures hit double digits. You can watch it happen. Yesterday afternoon, I sat on my veranda with a […]
Where is the island farthest from any mainland? It is said that the most isolated island, the one that requires the longest journey from any other landmass, is Bouvet Island, a Norwegian territory located in the southern hemisphere. Bouvet Island – Wikipedia. Excluding a small rocky outcrop near the coast, Lars Island, the nearest land to Bouvet Island is Queen Maud Land in Antarctica, 1,700 km to the south. To the north, the British territory of Gough Island is 1,600 km away. To reach a populated area, one must either sail 2,200 km northeast to the Cape of Agulhas in South Africa or 2,000 km to Tristan da Cunha. Tristan […]
(A photo of the aforementioned spot, taken on the way back. The wind was fierce up there.) What is your greatest experience that no one else knows about? Last weekend, I returned to the glacier I had photographed the previous year. I had heard whispers of an ice cave, unknown to me until now, and felt compelled to seek it out. The conditions were perfect. The temperature had plummeted well below freezing, and it hadn’t snowed for some time. The path across the glacier to the cave was clear, and the avalanche risk was relatively low. With snowshoes on my feet and a heavy backpack on my shoulders, I trudged […]
Which wild animals do you think have the potential to become pets? Foxes. Unlike dogs and cats, foxes (with the exception of the friend in ‘The Little Prince’) have not yet been domesticated. Their wild nature triumphs over human attempts to tame their spirits. Those who have tried to keep a fox at home know well the challenges involved. An intriguing experiment with foxes conducted by Russian scientists attempts to replicate the process of domestication. In the late 1950s, geneticist Dmitry K. Belyaev endeavored to create a population of domesticated foxes. Through a breeding program at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics in Novosibirsk, Russia, he aimed to trace the […]
Have you ever heard a remarkable story about a farmer and a lawyer? A farmer named Angus from Newfoundland had an unfortunate car accident. He was hit by a truck belonging to the Eversweet Company. In the courtroom, the Eversweet Company’s lawyer interrogated Angus. “Didn’t you tell the police at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’?” the lawyer asked. Angus replied, “Well, let me tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite cow, Bessie, into the trailer…” “I’m not asking for details,” the lawyer interrupted. “Just answer the question. Didn’t you say at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine’?” Angus said, “Well, I had […]
🌳 According to African legend, the Creator planted the baobab (the African baobab) in the valley of a river, but the tree was discontented with the moisture. So, the Creator transplanted the baobab to the mountainside, yet still, the tree remained unsatisfied. Angered by the tree’s constant complaints, the Creator uprooted the baobab and threw it onto the dry ground of Africa. Ever since, the baobab has grown with its roots reaching skyward. 🌳💦 The baobab is a tree that holds water within. A fascinating fact: The baobab is known as the thickest tree in the world, with its trunk reaching up to 9 meters in diameter, and the largest […]
Do You Believe in Coincidence? There is no such thing as coincidence! One summer day, Mr. Yüksel missed a ferry he had never missed before, on his way to a goose farm across the river. Unable to bear the scorching heat while waiting for the next ferry, he decided to postpone his plan to buy a few geese until the following day and headed back home. On his drive back, he encountered a flock of geese. Believing that following them would inevitably lead him to his destination, he started to trail them. With the geese leading the way, Mr. Yüksel ventured down the dusty village road. Eventually, they reached a […]
What does trekking really mean? Let’s explore the ancient origin of this word, its meaning, and understand why it is not synonymous with hiking or excursions. The Meaning of the Word Trekking Every enthusiast must have wondered about the meaning of the word trekking. For many, it simply means walking or traveling on foot, often used synonymously with hiking and excursions. In Italy, these terms are used interchangeably, but they actually have very different origins and meanings. In this article, we will delve into the true origin of the word trekking and understand why it actually has a rather unique and specific meaning. Where does the word trekking come from? […]
