We met in a small village, but of course some local made bread had to come along
When she handed the two "pieces" of bread to my girlfriend, she could barely carry it. The bread smelled so fresh and it was dense, heavy and very warm.
The road was bumpy as we got off track and eventually arrived at the blackberry farm.
From the village (that by the way also were way out on the countryside) we drove about 15 minutes until we went off the paved road and started to drive on tracks that looked quite challenging to be driving in. Luckily it was clear that Florin seemed to be able to drive these tracks with closed eyes if he wanted to. He has been driving this road for the past 4 years since he started his blackberry farm.
It was amazing to see the size of the blackberry farm and it was way bigger than I would expect. Of course, it isn't like one of those big industrial farms. But when you realized that it was merely built by one man you could not help but be impressed by the amount of work Florin most of put into this place. It almost felt like if you started picking all the blackberries from one side of the farm, it would have grown back by the time you would have reached the end. Oh did I mention they are all organic and Florin was dedicated to only use natural resources to grow his plants?
A blackberry farm created by the kindest people
It was truly a pleasure to meet both Florin, his wife and their kids. All of them seemed full of positive energy and it was incredible to see how available they were to each other. You could see they how they enjoyed the primitive surroundings this place were offering them and enjoyed life together. More guests also came and we ended up eating all day long from the BBQ.
Before they build their blackberry farm the purpose of the land he had brought was to create a community. Sadly because of legal problems the land only could be rented and not brought. Because of that people were not ready to commit given the risk that the state could take the land back any day if they wish to do so. So Florin decided to build his blueberry farm instead and if I remember correctly, it took him two years to get where he is today.
Even with recent painful events, this place seems almost healing to the family and those who visit it.
There's something special about this place, the way you could feel how much energy was put into it. The solitary feeling of being away from all the noise of cities and watch the sunset slowly descent on the horizon as the blackberry farm started to faith into darkness and the stars above started to shine. It made you realize why this man put so much energy into this place and why the family loves it so much.
These good people have been through some tragic events merely months before I arrived. But I could not see their sorrow nor their pain. It made me wonder how important a place like this is for them. A place they can say is theirs. A place where no one else will be but the people they love and the area they created with their own hands.
If you choose one path and put all your energy into it, you can make incredible things happen
We as people can make the most magical things happen if we put our heart and soul into it and I believe this "Florin" proved me of this. Sometimes you just have to realize what it is you truly want and then go all in on it, don't stop until you have reached your goal.
I would never have Imagined going to a blackberry farm would warm my heart and give me inspiration in my own life.. but it did.
-holm